You can recognize a mite allergy by these symptoms

introduction

A mite allergy, also known as a house dust allergy, occurs when a person has an allergic reaction to the excretions of mites that live in mattresses.
All symptoms typical for an allergy can be triggered, whereby the type of complaints and the extent can be different for each person. The most common symptoms of the respiratory tract are symptoms of the urge to sneeze and runny nose. In Germany, it is estimated that every sixth citizen is affected by a mite allergy, whereby the symptoms often cannot be traced back to the trigger. In contrast to many other forms of allergy, mite allergies can cause symptoms all year round.

Typical symptoms

In the case of a mite allergy, a multitude of different symptoms can occur in individually different constellations and degrees.
Most often there are often violent sneezing attacks, which occur especially in the morning after getting up and while doing housework. In addition, many mite allergy sufferers suffer from a permanently blocked or runny nose as well as a restricted ability to smell. In addition, it can lead to an inflammatory reaction in the conjunctiva (conjunctivitis), which manifests itself in itchy and watery eyes. In some cases, the allergy triggers asthma, which leads to a temporary narrowing of the airways. The main symptoms are shortness of breath and coughing.
Most of the time the symptoms develop rather insidiously and can easily be mistaken for a viral infection or a banal “cold”.

skin rash

A rash can basically be triggered with any form of allergy, including mite allergies.
However, symptoms of the airways such as the urge to sneeze or runny nose are more common. If a rash does develop, it can take the form of a hives. This creates red itchy wheals on the body, which disappear within a day but can reappear in other parts of the body.

More on this: Allergy rash

asthma

Bronchial asthma is a common respiratory disease in which there is a variable, often seizure-like narrowing of the airways.
In many cases, asthma develops as a result of an allergy. Therefore, a mite allergy can ultimately lead to the development of asthma. The main symptoms are shortness of breath and coughing. If the doctor has diagnosed allergic asthma with symptoms, treatment with one or more asthma sprays should be given, depending on the severity.
It is also important to avoid the triggering allergen as much as possible through general measures, since a severe asthma attack without medication can even be life-threatening.

Also read: Therapy of asthma

to cough

Coughing can be a symptom of a mite allergy, especially if you have allergic bronchial asthma.
In the case of symptoms that have only existed for a short time, however, coughing can also indicate that there is not a mite allergy but a simple cold. Coughing for a period of three weeks is harmless and not uncommon. If the cough persists for a long time, a medical examination should be carried out to determine whether there is an allergy or, if applicable, another cause of the symptom.

Runny nose and runny nose

A runny nose and runny nose are very common complaints that have two main causes.
On the one hand, it can be the typical symptoms of a mite allergy or another allergy. The symptoms usually persist for months or even continuously, with the intensity usually varying. However, the most common cause of a runny nose and runny nose is a viral infection that leads to a cold. This can lead to further symptoms such as coughing, fatigue and increased body temperature. In contrast to an allergy, the symptoms of an infection usually subside within a week.
In the event of new symptoms such as runny nose and runny nose, you should therefore wait and see. However, if these persist for weeks, testing for a mite allergy may be indicated.

a headache

Headache is a very common non-specific symptom that can have a variety of possible causes.
In the case of a mite allergy, for example, there may be pressure pain in the head due to blocked sinuses. But then there are other complaints such as a runny nose. If headache is the only symptom, a mite allergy is extremely unlikely to trigger and more likely causes should be considered first. However, the symptom is rarely based on a treatable disease.

Itchy and watery eyes

Itchy and watery eyes are a symptom that many allergy sufferers suffer from.
Even with mite allergy, there can be an inflammatory reaction on the conjunctiva, which is known as conjunctivitis. Usually both eyes are affected. Usually there are other allergy symptoms such as runny nose and the urge to sneeze. If only the eyes are affected, it could also be infected by viruses and bacteria. If in doubt, you should consult your doctor if you have newly developed itchy and watery eyes.

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When are the symptoms strongest?

For most people who suffer from a mite allergy, the symptoms are greatest in winter or during the heating season.
Although the mites multiply mainly in early summer and reach their highest populations in late summer or autumn, a maximum amount of mite faeces has accumulated in the winter months. This then breaks down and is distributed in the apartment by the dry heating air.

What can be done about the symptoms?

In the case of an allergy, it is generally recommended to avoid the triggering allergen as much as possible.
In the case of mite allergies, it is not possible to design an apartment completely free of mites, but some measures can reduce their number. This can often alleviate the symptoms. One measure is to keep the humidity low. For this purpose, all rooms should be ventilated for a few minutes several times a day. Ideally, the humidity should be between forty and sixty percent. In addition, special mattress covers can be used, which ensure that less moisture accumulates in the bed and fewer mites can penetrate the outside. In addition, the bed linen should be washed regularly at at least sixty degrees.

In addition to these and other general measures to reduce the disease-causing mite excrement, there are drugs that inhibit allergic reactions in the body. These include, for example, antihistamines, which can be taken if necessary to prevent the symptoms or to alleviate the symptoms. If the symptoms are very pronounced, the doctor can also briefly use a preparation containing cortisone to suppress the allergic reaction.

More on this: Therapy for an allergy