This ‘mite’ be the answer to your dust mite allergy

16th March 2022

This ‘mite’ be the answer to your dust mite allergy

It’s that time of year: spring cleaning season. An excuse to get rid of the old, especially after the holiday season. So people up and down the country will be donning the marigolds and scrubbing every inch of their home.

Spring cleaning isn’t just good for keeping everything tidy. It’s a great way to get rid of any allergens lying around. Dust that aggravates the senses or maybe even some left over pollen on a high shelf somewhere. But do you know something that’s always overlooked? A dust mite allergy. These near-invisible creatures could be causing allergy issues and you don’t even know it.

What are dust mites?

We’re not the only ones living in our homes. Many bugs like to hide in crevices and between walls. And dust mites are no different. They’re incredibly small – invisible to the human eye. But these small creatures can still play havoc with our allergies.

Dust mites thrive in room temperatures and humid environments. So in our homes, they like to hide in our carpets, furniture, and bedding. Places where we spend most of our time and likely put our head near.

Symptoms of a dust mite allergy

What causes an allergic reaction isn’t just the bugs themselves, but also their droppings. And if they die in low-humid environments, their body can still set us off.

Symptoms you might experience if you’re allergic aren’t too dissimilar to hay fever:

• Sneezing
• Runny nose
• Itchy eyes
• Itchy skin
• Coughing

If its a severe reaction, it can also trigger asthma or asthma-like symptoms:

• Difficulty breathing
• Tightness around the chest
• Shortness of breath
• Coughing and wheezing

What can you do?

This might all sound a bit gross. Because it kind of is. But it’s also a part of life that you can’t really avoid. Though there are steps you can take to alleviate some of the suffering.

Since dust mites thrive in your home when left unattended, the simplest trick is to increase how often you clean. For your bedding, consider washing it weekly at a high temperature. A dehumidifier might also help as it’ll make your home a less inviting place. And if you’re thinking about redecorating any time soon, maybe ditch the carpet. Failing that, vacuum daily.

A dust mite allergy is a difficult one to tackle given how small the creatures are. But with some diligent cleaning and an allergy test to confirm your suspicions, you can take steps to make your life that much more comfortable.

If you’re looking for a specialist to guide you through your allergy woes, get in touch with us. Sign up as a new patient or reach out on 02031 433 449.

Five insect allergies that might pop up this summer

16th June 2021

Five insect allergies that might pop up this summer

Warmer temperatures, longer days, barbecues, and ice creams are some of the best parts of summer. But there’s always something to come along and ruin it. And when it comes to warmer weather, it’s the insects that turn up invited.

Summer creates the perfect environment for many insects, bringing them out of hiding and into our gardens and homes. Unfortunately, some people have insect allergies, making it that much worse. Here’s our list of five insects that can set your allergies off that you might not know about. 

Bees and wasps

Let’s start with a two-for-one. Bee and wasp sting allergies are fairly common knowledge. But you might not know that a person can be allergic to one and not the other. In fact, it’s rare for someone to be allergic to both. That’s because their venoms are different, even though they both contain allergens. 

What’s interesting is that you won’t necessarily have an allergic reaction from the first sting from a wasp, but ‘sensitisation’ may cause you to become allergic to future ones. Other stinging insects that can cause allergic reactions include hornets and fire ants. 

Asian ladybirds

As harmless and pretty as a ladybird may seem, scientists have discovered that ladybird blood, which they release whenever they’re agitated, can trigger an allergic reaction. In some places, like West Virginia, positive allergy tests to the Asian ladybird are as high as 21%, almost the same level as cockroach allergies. 

Cockroaches

Those nasty, seemingly indestructible creatures that eat almost anything (even their own kind!) can cause year-round allergy symptoms and also trigger asthma. Studies even show that children who are allergic to cockroaches and are exposed to them need to go to the hospital for their asthma more often than other asthmatic children. But it’s not the bug itself that causes reactions, it’s their feces, saliva, and shedding body parts. 

Crickets

Crickets are arthropods, much like prawns, crabs, and lobsters. So they contain some of the same proteins. This means if you’re allergic to shellfish, there’s a good chance you could develop an allergy to crickets too. They also contain some of the same proteins as cockroaches, so if cockroaches make your nose stuffy, crickets may as well. Although, most reactions are from actually eating the cricket.  

This is just the tip of the iceberg – many insects can trigger allergic reactions. That’s not a surprise since there are over one million discovered species hopping around. So as summer creeps up on us, it’s important to be aware of any insects and get a test if you believe you have an allergy. 

If you think you might have an allergy, don’t wait around. Book your allergy test today with the London Allergy and Immunology Centre. Call us today on 02031 433 449.

Summer bug allergies

1st July 2018

Summer bug allergies

There are no two ways about it, summer is here. The glorious back-to-back days of pure sunshine we’ve been enjoying have allowed us to ditch our warm jumpers for something light and airy, and let our skin get a bit of sun. Unfortunately, your poor skin is left exposed as a treat for an array of creepy crawlies to bite and snack on; leaving you prone to summer bug allergies. Many will only leave you with a nasty bite or bump but, for the unlucky few, a small bump isn’t the only repercussion. Knowing the cause of your reaction can be the key to ensuring your summer isn’t ruined.

Mosquitoes

It’s likely that you’ve had a mosquito bite at some point in your life. When it comes to summer bug allergies, mosquito bites are of the most common. The obvious telltale sign of a bite is a red hard bump, with a small amount of swelling followed by an itchy feeling. While feeding on your blood a mosquito inserts saliva into your skin which most humans are allergic to. This then causes our immune system to jump into action causing the bump and itch. Albeit, for some people with severe allergies, the symptoms can be more consequential.

Those who are allergic to mosquito bites may experience symptoms such as lesions or even an anaphylactic reaction, the latter being rare.

Bees and wasps

During the summer months, bugs within the Hymenopterans order are extremely popular. This includes yellow hornets and bees. A majority of these bugs are social and rarely attack people, attacking only when they feel threatened. Trying to avoid disturbing them could be a useful tactic in not getting stung by one. However, if you do unfortunately get stung you may go on to find out that you are allergic and not only left with a small bump.

Around only 3% of the nation’s population are allergic to bee venom with just a few of these having a severe anaphylactic reaction. The symptoms of an allergy to a bee or wasp sting can vary and include:

• Swelling around the eyes, lips, tongue, or throat
• Trouble breathing or swallowing
• Itching
• Dizziness

Dust Mites

They might not come to mind when thinking of summer bug allergies but actually, dust mite reactions are rife in the summer months. Typically due to the humid conditions giving them the perfect environment to thrive. Despite being microscopic bugs, these creatures can create waste amounting to over 200 times their own weight. With thousands of these doing so it can mount up quickly. Humans often breathe their waste in, and it is usually a completely harmless substance to most of us. However, others suffer various reactions to it. Recognisable dust mite allergy symptoms may include, but are not limited to:

• Runny or itchy nose
• Itchy skin
• Sinus pressure (may cause facial pain)
• Itchy, watery, or red eyes
• Scratchy throat or coughing

Dust mites are often found in mattresses, bedding, and upholstered furniture. They are too small to be seen by the naked eye. So it may not be the easiest of jobs to avoid them. Discovering dust mites are the specific cause of your allergy can be the first step in reducing or preventing your future symptoms.

At London Allergy and Immunology Centre, we offer a wide range of modern treatments to help you deal with your allergies. To discover the cause of your symptoms and take the first steps towards alleviating your allergies, book an appointment with one of our consultants today.