You can recognize a house dust allergy by these symptoms

introduction

If you experience allergic symptoms in your own four walls, such as watery eyes or a runny nose, the suspicion that this is a house dust allergy is likely. Strictly speaking, the allergy here is against a tiny arachnid, better known as mites, which like to stay in dust. For this reason the house dust allergy is (correctly) also referred to as a house dust mite allergy.

Overview of the typical symptoms of a house dust allergy

A house dust allergy usually leads to very typical allergic symptoms. In contrast to other forms of allergy such as a pollen allergy, which can manifest itself with similar complaints, the symptoms occur primarily in the apartment or house and show up all year round.
The most common symptoms of a house dust allergy include:

• Redness, itching, and watering of the eyes
• Blocked or runny nose, repeated urge to sneeze
• Dry or slimy cough
• hoarseness
• Rash on the skin, hives, itching of the skin
• Tiredness / exhaustion
• a headache
• A house dust mite allergy can also lead to allergic asthma with shortness of breath

For more information, see: Symptoms of an allergy

This is what the symptoms look like on the skin

A house dust allergy can also manifest itself through changes in the skin. Sometimes the skin may become itchy.
A skin rash in the form of hives is also possible. Hives, called urticaria in medical terminology, lead to the formation of wheals. These are raised spots or swellings on the skin. The wheals are usually accompanied by reddening of the skin (also called red halo) and itching.

Read more on this topic at: Rash from an allergy
You might also be interested in: Hives

Runny nose and urge to sneeze

A runny nose is a typical symptom of house dust allergies and is also known as an allergic runny nose.
Often there is also a recurring urge to sneeze, which is particularly pronounced in a dusty environment. The allergic rhinitis typically occurs in the night or morning hours or in very dusty rooms such as the basement or attic.

You might also be interested in: What can you do if you have an allergic runny nose?

Watery eyes

Watery, itchy and reddened eyes are often seen as a symptom of a house dust allergy. Doctors also speak of allergic conjunctivitis or conjunctivitis in this context.
Like the other typical house dust symptoms, the symptoms in the eyes are particularly pronounced in the morning or at night. This has to do with the fact that mattresses in general are a particularly popular place to stay for the house dust mites that cause symptoms.

Eye drops can help against itchy eyes. Find out more at: Eye drops for an allergy

to cough

House dust allergies can present with a cough. Often the allergy is already widened and the cough is an indication of an existing or developing allergic asthma. Symptoms of coughing in the context of allergic asthma are often accompanied by shortness of breath and tightness in the chest.

Further information on this topic can be found at: Cough if you have an allergy

Allergic asthma and shortness of breath

Allergic asthma can also develop as part of a house dust allergy. Then there is a so-called change of floor, which means that the existing allergy develops into an allergic asthma.
In asthma, the bronchi, i.e. the air-conducting pathways of the lungs, are particularly affected. These are inflammatory due to the allergy and lead to coughing fits, shortness of breath and a feeling of pressure in the chest. Those affected very often describe these symptoms as very distressing and usually require medication.

Read more on this topic at: What are the symptoms of bronchial asthma? or This is how asthma is treated!

hoarseness

Hoarseness can show up with a house dust allergy. But it is also one of the typical cold-like symptoms, which is why a flu-like infection should be considered when it first occurs. If hoarseness has persisted for weeks or months and occurs together with other house dust allergy symptoms such as red eyes, cough or a runny nose, a (house dust) allergy is again likely and should best be clarified by a doctor.

Read more on this topic at: Hoarseness - What's Behind It?
You might also be interested in: Sore throat with an allergy

fatigue

Fatigue is common with house dust allergies. One of the causes of fatigue is the excruciating allergic symptoms, which are particularly likely to show up at night or early in the morning and which lead to a lack of sleep. Furthermore, taking certain drugs that are often prescribed for allergies, so-called antihistamines, can lead to symptoms of fatigue.

Since the tiredness of a house dust allergy is often caused by medication, please also read: Antihistamines or Medicines for hay fever

a headache

Headaches are one of the most common symptoms of a house dust allergy. In contrast to the other symptoms, headaches are initially quite unspecific and, if they occur alone, provide little information about the cause. In the interplay of headache with watery eyes, runny nose and possibly a cough in turn, those affected should also think about the presence of a possible house dust allergy.

House dust allergy in the child

In children, as in adults, the typical symptoms of a house dust allergy appear, mainly in the morning and at night. Classically, the symptoms appear spread over the whole year, whereby the symptoms can intensify during the cold winter months.
To recognize a house dust allergy in children, attention should be paid to the following symptoms: A cold, runny nose often paired with sneezing attacks. You can also see red, watery and itchy eyes. Rashes in the form of wheals can also be a symptom of a house dust allergy in children.
Wheals are raised areas of the skin that are often outlined in red and are accompanied by severe itching. Recurrent coughing or breathing difficulties can also be signs of a house dust allergy.
It is not uncommon for the allergy symptoms in children to be misunderstood, as they are very similar to other symptoms, such as a cold or diseases of the respiratory tract. If watery eyes, runny nose, cough, etc. recur, parents should consult a doctor, especially if the symptoms persist throughout the year.

Read more on this topic at: Allergy in children - you should know that!