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.

Insect sting allergies: what’s the buzz about?

4th September 2019

Insect sting allergies: what’s the buzz about?

Whether it’s a wasp, hornet, or bee, or another pollinator a lot of us know what getting stung is like. But while normal reactions to getting stung are common, for a few people it makes for an extremely dangerous situation. 

What happens?

A reaction to getting stung, no matter the severity, happens because an insect injects their venom into you. If you’re allergic, then your body will overreact to it. After the first sting, your body produces antibodies called immunoglobulin. If you’re stung again by the same type of insect, the venom interacts with the antibodies and triggers the release of substances that cause a reaction.

While nearly everyone will have a localised reaction to getting stung, 0.4-0.8% of children and 3% of adults could have a potentially life-threatening reaction.

Different types of reaction

After getting stung by an insect there are different levels of reaction that can happen. Depending on whether you’re allergic or not, you might have a:

Normal reaction: This is where you’ll get pain, swelling, and redness around the area where you’ve been stung. Sometimes the reaction can be larger and extend to more than just the immediate area. Either way, you can treat these yourself with antiseptic, antihistamines, and hydrocortisone creams.

Allergic reaction: For an allergic reaction you’ll see more symptoms. You might experience redness, swelling, and pain in the affected area as well as elsewhere on your body. You might also notice more severe symptoms like a rapid pulse, difficulty breathing, swollen throat or tongue, dizziness, and nausea. If you suspect you’re having an allergic reaction, it’s important you seek medical assistance immediately. You won’t know until it’s too late whether you’re at risk of anaphylaxis.

Anaphylaxis: This is when an insect sting allergy can be even more severe and dangerous. You will be unable to breathe, experience a quick fall of blood pressure, and may enter shock. In this case, you’ll need epinephrine straight away. If you have prior knowledge of your allergy, you can administer this yourself while waiting for further medical assistance.

How to avoid

Short of never leaving the house, there’s no way to guarantee you won’t be stung. But there are some things you can do while outside to minimise risk. Avoid eating and wearing bright colours or strong perfumes when spending time outside. If a stinging insect is nearby, stay calm and still instead of panicking and running away.

While getting stung is more of an inconvenience to most of us, it can be extremely dangerous for a set few. It’s important to always be cautious with any potential reactions. This way you can notice if anything becomes a cause for concern.

If you want to find out more about insect sting allergies or book an allergy test, give us a call on 02031 433 499.

Thinking of buying a reptile?

17th February 2018

Thinking of buying a reptile?

Over the last two decades, reptiles have become increasingly popular as house pets in the UK. Bearded dragons, snakes, and lizards are all cold-blooded amphibians that warm the hearts of many households. Part of the reason so many people turn to reptiles as a pet is the desire for a house pet but not being able to handle a cat or a dog because of their allergenic fur. But they can also bring their own allergy problems, just not in the way you think. The issue is insect allergy.

Compared to cats and dogs, reptile pets typically have a diet of insects, some of which are hotbeds for aggressive airborne allergens. When these are brought to the home, you have the risk of introducing a new form of domestic allergy to your house. Namely grasshoppers and locusts.

A cautionary tail

In one case, after getting a bearded dragon for his eighth birthday, one boy developed asthma and severe bronchial hypersensitivity within four months of getting his new pet.

After continual symptoms, his parents took him for an allergy test. An IgE immunoblot prick-to-prick test confirmed that he had an insect allergy, namely grasshoppers — his pet’s favourite meal. Four years of allergen avoidance proved useful. But after on single exposure, the same child saw a severe asthma attack.

Sadly, this isn’t the only case in which reptiles in the home trigger allergens. Where the reptile isn’t usually the trigger in the first instance, they can’t help what they eat but the insect allergy can cause issues.

Thinking of buying a reptile for the family? While they make for fantastic pets, not many people realise the potential allergens that come with them. Before picking out a new snake, lizard, or dragon, it is a good idea to make sure you won’t start suffering from allergies further down the line. While getting a reptile in the home won’t guarantee the trigger of an IgE allergy, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Especially with young ones in the house.

Before you introduce a new member to the family, why not take one of our home tests or book an appointment with one of our consultants first to test for any possible insect sensitisation.