Mite allergy

definition

With a mite allergy, the body is overly sensitive to dust mites. These are small arachnids that can be found in the dust of houses and apartments. This allergy is therefore correctly called a house dust mite allergy. The allergy is usually triggered by the excrement of house dust mites.
About a tenth of Germans are allergic to these mites. They mainly sit in textiles such as bed linen, mattresses or upholstery and feed on human dander. There are many mites in the house, especially in the autumn and winter months, as ventilation is often a little shorter then. The presence of dust mites is not a sign of poor hygiene in the household, as the small animals are everywhere.

causes

The cause of a mite allergy is not the house dust mite itself, but small particles that are in their Feces are located. Dust mites are preferred in places with high humidity that is why mattresses and upholstered furniture that absorb moisture from people are their living space. Here they secrete their excrement, which is then whirled up by shaking pillows or vacuuming. As a result, its components arrive in the air and are from people inhaled or enter the organism through the mucous membranes of the eyes or nose.
For some people it reacts immune system excessively violent on the inhaled fecal particles. Why this is so is not clear. People whose parents or grandparents suffer or suffered from a mite allergy are particularly affected. A house dust allergy is also common bronchial asthma hand in hand. A house dust mite allergy can occur in childhood or develop in the course of life.

Symptoms

The symptoms of a mite allergy are similar to those of other allergies, for example hay fever. After contact with house dust, many people have a blocked or runny nose, reddened eyes, watery or itchy eyes. If the allergy is more pronounced, the airways are often also affected. Patients have a strong cough and find it difficult to breathe. Symptoms are most severe at night and morning as the mattress provides a good habitat for dust mites.
If the mite allergy persists for a longer period of time, it can lead to chronic complaints. The nasal mucosa is particularly affected and can become permanently inflamed. People often complain of a blocked nose or persistent sneezing.
In rare cases, a mite allergy can manifest itself as a skin rash.

More on this under: These symptoms indicate a mite allergy

Skin rash with mite allergy

In the case of a mite allergy, the skin is usually not affected. In rare cases, however, a skin rash can occur, which mainly occurs where there is contact with the mites. This is usually the case on the arms and legs, as these have the most contact with the bedding and mattress when sleeping.
An allergy test involves injecting a solution containing the allergen under the top layers of the skin. Form Wheals or if the area becomes red and itchy, there is a high probability that you are allergic. The same symptoms can occur when injecting a Desensitization occur. This is the case in around 60% of patients. However, it is usually harmless. After a treatment, patients must stay in the practice for at least 30 minutes in order to avoid any stronger reactions from the body, such as a allergic shockto be able to treat quickly.

Sore throat from a mite allergy

In addition to frequent sneezing attacks and chronic nasal congestion, a sore throat can also be a sign of a house dust mite allergy. The allergic reaction causes the mucous membranes of the nose and throat to become irritated and swell. As a result, the throat burns or hurts. Increased hydration and gargling with salt water can alleviate the symptoms. If the pain is very severe, the doctor may prescribe certain antiallergic drugs, such as antihistamines.

Read more on the topic: Sore throat with an allergy

Itching with mite allergy

The itchiness caused by a mite allergy mainly affects the nose. Many patients feel a slight or stronger feeling here tingle, which is often associated with sneezing fits. The skin is rarely itchy. Most of the time, this itch occurs after one Allergy test or after desensitization the case.

diagnosis

In order to be able to diagnose a house dust mite allergy with certainty, an allergy test can be carried out by the doctor if the patient has symptoms that suggest a house dust mite allergy. There are two different ways to determine a mite allergy: On the one hand through the skin using a so-called Prick tests or by a Blood test.
In the prick test, the substances to be tested are dripped onto the patient's forearm and then the skin is slightly injured at these points with a needle so that the substances can penetrate there. The result can be read after about 20 minutes. If you are allergic to one of these substances, the respective area shows redness and / or a wheal. In most cases, it'll be itchy too.
There can be certain in the blood antibody which are directed against the excrement of house dust mites. If these occur in an increased concentration in the blood, this indicates an allergy.
Both tests merely point to and show an allergy Hypersensitivity to house dust mites. One speaks of a diagnosed allergy only when symptoms are triggered in the patient through contact with the allergen. It can also happen that the patient is hypersensitive, but does not experience any discomfort upon contact with house dust.

Is there an allergy test?

People who are allergic to house dust and who regularly suffer from nasal congestion are suspected of having a mite allergy. The doctor or allergist can use various tests to determine whether there is an allergy to house dust mites. These tests include the skin test, a blood test for antibodies, and the provocation test.

How is the allergy test carried out?

Before the allergy test is carried out, the patient is asked in detail about his medical history: what symptoms does the patient have, when and where do the symptoms occur, are there allergies in the family, does the patient have pets? The doctor then examines the mucous membranes of the nose and mouth and the lungs for signs of an allergy.

There are a number of tests that can be used to identify a house dust allergy. The most commonly used test is the prick test (skin test). The skin on the forearm is pierced with a fine needle and various allergens are applied directly to the skin. After about 20 minutes, the test result is read directly from the skin: if it is reddened or itchy, there is an allergy to the specific allergen (in this case, house dust mite).

Find out more about the topic: Prick test

A blood test can also provide information about the presence of an allergy, as the body's immune system then produces certain antibodies against the mites that can be detected. In the provocation test, the suspicious allergen (i.e. the excrement of house dust mites) is inhaled directly by the patient and the doctor observes the reaction. The attending physician decides which test is used.

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How do you distinguish a house dust allergy from a mite allergy?

House dust consists of various components, including small arachnids, the mites. Mites are so small that they can only be seen under a microscope. Some people are allergic to mite droppings, which are bound to small dust particles. Although house dust has many other components, such as hair, fibers, and dirt particles, most people are allergic to house dust mites. From a medical point of view, a house dust and a mite allergy are the same, the correct term is "house dust mite allergy".

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therapy

Often there are no symptoms of any kind in the case of hypersensitivity to house dust mites. No treatment is necessary in these cases.
However, if symptoms occur that are clearly due to an overreaction of the body to house dust mites, the apartment should first be cleared of mites as much as possible.

It is especially important to pay close attention to the hygiene of textiles such as bed linen, mattresses and upholstered furniture.
There are special covers for the bed linen that are impermeable to mites. The room temperature and humidity should be kept low, especially in the bedroom, and pets should be avoided in the apartment.

The right pillow also plays an important role in the fight against allergies. You can find out more about this at: Pillows for allergy sufferers

If these measures do not help to get the symptoms under control, taking antihistamines or medication containing cortisone can provide short-term relief. However, this is not suitable for treating the allergy in the long term.
In order to get the mite allergy permanently under control, a desensitization can be carried out. This can be started at any time. The patient is regularly given syringes that contain the allergenic substance.
The dose is increased regularly.
Desensitization can also be carried out using tablets that must be taken daily.
The principle is identical: through regular contact between the patient and the allergen, the body gets used to it and there are no more allergic reactions in the long term.
The duration of a desensitization is usually around three years. This treatment cannot be used in patients with a weak immune system.

Please also read our topic: Mites in bed

Forecast / duration

Once a house dust mite allergy does exist, it will remain for the rest of life without treatment. However, it is possible that this will not develop until adulthood.
Depending on which treatment options are used, the symptoms can be alleviated or even through one desensitization completely switched off. However, it can take a few years for this treatment goal to be achieved.

Which bed linen should I use if I have a mite allergy?

People who are allergic to house dust mites should minimize contact with the mites as a precautionary measure. The right bed linen can help. Mites mainly multiply in the mattress and bed linen, which is why there are a few points to consider here.
It is advisable to cover the mattress with a protective cover, which on the one hand ensures that the mites in the mattress do not get out and on the other hand that the mite excrement in the mattress cannot lead to an allergic reaction. These special covers are also available for bed linen (so-called encasing), which can be used as an intermediate cover under normal cotton bed linen. As long as the bed linen is washed regularly at a sufficient temperature, allergy sufferers do not necessarily have to fall back on special bed linen.

Read more on the topic: Mites in bed- That works best

How and how often should I wash the bed linen?

Regularly changing the bed linen is an absolute must for those allergic to mites, as this can considerably reduce contact with the mites. The bed should be re-made every 6-8 weeks at the latest, on this occasion the mattress can also be vacuumed and freed from the annoying house mites. If you have a mite-proof cover on your mattress, it can also be washed from time to time. Alternatively, you can put the pillows and duvets in the washing machine (if they are made of synthetic materials). To kill the mites, the laundry must be washed at at least 60 degrees Celsius.

Find out more about the topic: Bed linen for allergy sufferers