House dust allergy

Quick Overview

• What is a house dust allergy? Hypersensitivity of the body to certain proteins of house dust mites. Correctly it is therefore called house dust mite allergy. Colloquially, the disease is also called dust allergy and mite allergy. It usually develops in childhood and adolescence and usually lasts for life.

• symptoms: reddened, itchy and watery eyes, stuffy nose and runny nose, possibly sneezing, allergic skin reactions (itching, rash, hives), sometimes coughing with mucilage or further development to allergic asthma with acute respiratory distress

• Treatment: Reduce mite burden in your own home (special mattress covers, no carpets, etc.), medicines for allergy symptoms, hyposensitization

• Frequency: In industrialized countries, about one in four suffers from an allergic rhinitis, for example due to house dust mites or pollen. Experts estimate that around seven percent of the population in Germany has a house-dust allergy.
• Forecast: With consistent treatment, the symptoms can be reduced or completely eliminated. Over time, allergic asthma can develop from a house dust allergy (level change). In addition, some house dust allergy sufferers also hypersensitive to crustaceans such as shrimp (cross allergy).

House dust allergy: symptoms

The house dust allergy symptoms are caused by the messenger substance histamine set in motion. This is released by the contact with the allergen trigger – certain proteins of dust mites – in large quantities: it swells the mucous membranes, dilates the blood vessels, stimulates the mucus production and is involved in inflammatory processes. As a result, the various house dust allergy symptoms develop in the eyes, noses, respiratory tract and skin:

• Reddened, itchy and watery eyes are typical symptoms of house dust allergy. The allergen contact triggers a conjunctivitis (allergic conjunctivitis).
• Often that is clogged nosebecause the mucous membranes swell and secretions are produced more. But it can too runny nose occur. sneezing is also possible.
• The house dust allergy can too clogged cough (Bronchitis) and even to one allergic asthma with acute respiratory distress to lead.
• On the skin can be a house dust allergy symptoms like Itching, rash and hives cause. In hives (urticaria) wheals develop on the skin, so small, red swellings.

Because the house dust allergy symptoms occur very quickly after contact of the mucous membranes with the allergen, the disease is one of the Allergies of immediate type (type I).

All symptoms of a house dust allergy can also be seen in other allergies and other diseases. For example, runny nose and cough can be misinterpreted as signs of a common cold. Therefore, a house dust allergy is often recognized late or not at all.

When do the house dust allergy symptoms appear?

House dust allergy symptoms occur all year because dust mites live permanently in apartments. In late autumn and in winter, the complaints are usually particularly pronounced. The small arachnids multiply mainly between May and October. When the heating is switched on in late autumn and the humidity in the rooms falls, the mites die in large numbers (they need a wetter environment). The dead mites and their excreted feces disintegrate, mix with the house dust and can then be easily inhaled with the air. As a result, house dust allergy symptoms are more common in these months than in the rest of the year – especially if they are also rarely ventilated (as is often the case in winter).

During the day, the house dust allergy symptoms especially at night or in the morning noticeable after getting up. Mattresses are the largest mite reservoir.

The house dust mixed with dead mites and mite feces is easily whirled up during activities such as making beds, dusting and vacuuming and then inhaled. The house dust mite allergy symptoms are therefore evident at the daily housework often especially strong.

cross allergy

The mite proteins, which cause a house dust mite allergy, are similar to proteins in crustaceans. Therefore, some house dust allergy sufferers also hypersensitive to, for example, shrimp, crayfish and lobster – the consumption of these animal foods can thus trigger allergy symptoms in those affected. Physicians speak in such a case of cross-allergy.

House dust allergy: causes and triggers

Triggers of house dust allergy are certain proteins of house dust mites, The small arachnids themselves are harmless because they neither suck nor sting nor bite nor transmit diseases. They are invisible to the naked eye and generally found in every home, in house dust. They feed mainly on human dander. That’s why they like to play in upholstery, pillows, beds and carpets. The mites feel most comfortable at a room temperature of 25 degrees and a humidity of 65 to 80 percent.

The proteins of the mites, which cause the house dust allergy, are mainly in the feces, but also in the bodies of animals. If excreted feces and dead mites dry and disintegrate, they mix with the house dust. If this is whirled up (for example when vacuuming or beating the blanket), it can be inhaled and trigger hypersensitivity reactions in the body of those affected.

The real cause of house dust mite allergy consists in one Dysregulation of the immune system:

The first contact with the allergen does not show allergy symptoms. However, the body produces specific antibodies against the new and supposedly threatening foreign substance. Part of this antibody is stored in the body. Any further exposure to the allergen will then trigger the specific antibodies and release large amounts of histamine. This messenger substance sets in motion the mechanisms that ultimately lead to the typical symptoms of house dust mite allergy (red, watery eyes, stuffy, runny nose, etc.).

House dust allergy: treatment

The treatment of house dust allergy is mainly in the living rooms the Reduce mite load, In addition, the complaints with different drugs alleviate, relieve. Against the house dust allergy cause – the hypersensitive immune system – recommends one Hyposensibilisierung.

Reduction of mite load

Very important in a house dust allergy is to keep the mite pollution in your own home low. For this you should follow the following tips:

• Put in your apartment as little as possible upholstered furniture because they only serve as dust collectors. A better alternative here are for example leather trimmings. You should also others Avoid dust catcher such as carpets, cushions, cuddly toys, heavy curtains and open book shelves.
• Existing upholstered furniture and rugs should be best every day once thoroughly exhausted become. The best place for this is a vacuum cleaner with a special fine dust filter (Hepa filter) too. Despite this special filter, house dust allergy sufferers should leave sucking to someone who is not hypersensitive to house dust mites.
• Choose Curtains made of washable materials and clean them every six months.
• When home cleaning you should damp dusters use and the Wipe floors damp, So less dust is whirled up.
• Get one Milk-impervious mattress cover, Such an encasing cover must completely enclose the mattress and should be washed approximately every three months. When you use such a mite guard, it does not matter much what the mattress is made of. However, a filling of horsehair is unfavorable: the allergens in the animal hairs could additionally burden the immune system with a house dust allergy.
• Best use Cotton sheets and wash them once a week at least 60 degrees, Bedding and pillows should be washed at least every three months at 60 degrees or more.
• There are now Detergent with miticidal (acaricidal) substances, This mites mites can be killed even at washing temperatures below 60 degrees. How effective such acaricidal substances are in practice can not be clearly stated: Corresponding study results are contradictory.
• If your child has a house dust allergy and be on stuffed animal Do not give up, you should wash this regularly at least 60 degrees. Should it not be washed so hot, you should freeze it regularly for 12 hours and then wash at a lower temperature: the cold kills the mites, the washing removes them.
• To reduce the humidity, you should use the Ventilate living rooms daily (for 5 to 15 minutes), especially the bedroom.
• Imagine if possible no potted plants in your home, especially not in the bedroom. They increase the humidity, which makes house dust mites and molds (from which the mites also feed) better. In addition, molds like to grow on the potting soil.
• Tips for the holiday: If possible, look for a hotel that has allergen-free rooms on offer. If you suffer from a heavy house dust allergy, you should also take your Encasing for the mattress as a precaution. If there is no special room for allergy sufferers, you should remove all plush stuff and ventilate the room well. Incidentally, in regions over 1,500 meters above sea level there are few or no house dust mites. The same goes for deserts and the Antarctic.

If the house dust mite allergy is not very pronounced, these measures are often sufficient to permanently reduce the symptoms. Nevertheless, it is advisable to have the contact details of a doctor or an allergy ambulance ready for any emergency. If the house dust allergy symptoms are particularly severe (especially in combination with acute respiratory distress), medical help must be obtained quickly.

Medicines for house dust allergy

For the acute treatment of house dust allergy symptoms, various drugs are available. They are mainly used for more severe complaints. Some of the remedies are also available without a prescription in the pharmacy. Nevertheless, it is advisable to ask a doctor for advice before using any medication. Because every remedy can have undesirable effects as well as show interactions with other drugs or foods.

In principle, one can reduce the symptoms of allergic rhinitis (as it occurs in the context of a house dust allergy) with the following means:

• So-called antihistamines Generally alleviate allergy symptoms by inhibiting the release of histamine. They can be used as a tablet or nasal spray for allergic rhinitis.
• Glucocorticoids (“Cortisone”) as a nasal spray decongestant on the nasal mucous membranes. If necessary, they can – under medical supervision – also be used for a long time.
• Nasal drops and nasal sprays with decongestants (Alpha-Sympathikomimetika) help with stuffy nose. They should be used for a maximum of five to seven days. Otherwise, the mucosa gets used to it, and the effect of the agent decreases. In addition, these preparations can cause nosebleeds.
• Leukotriene antagonists inhibit messenger substances that play an important role in inflammatory reactions in the respiratory tract. This can alleviate the symptoms of allergic rhinitis in addition to asthma symptoms. The prescription medications (tablets) can be prescribed to patients who also suffer from asthma and allergic rhinitis.
• Mast cell stabilizers (Cromone) prevent the release of histamine from the so-called mast cells (a type of immune cell). In allergic cold and allergic conjunctivitis, they can be used as a nasal spray or in the form of eye drops.

Hyposensibilisierung

With the hyposensitization (specific immunotherapy) is trying to treat the house dust allergy causally. Hyposensitization has been particularly successful in children (from the age of 6 years) and in a house dust allergy that has only recently started.

There are two possible approaches to hyposensitization:

• In the subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) The mite allergens are injected in slowly increasing concentrations under the skin – initially usually once a week, later once a month. The body should slowly get used to the actually harmless mite protein.
• In the sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) The mite allergens are usually given once a day as a drop or tablet under the tongue, held there for one to two minutes and then swallowed.

In both cases: Hyposensitization must at least two to three years continue until it shows its full effect. This will last for years. If the complaints of house dust allergy increase again, the hyposensitization can be repeated.

House dust allergy: homeopathy also effective?

In a house dust allergy to help different homeopathic remedies, for example, Sticta or Sabadilla. The effectiveness of homeopathy is not scientifically proven. However, some patients report good success with homeopathic remedies. In addition, a homeopathic treatment usually shows no side effects.

House dust allergy: prevention and tips

So far you know no specific measuresproven to prevent a house dust mite allergy. For example, a mite-proof mattress coating (encasing) can not be recommended to prevent the formation of a dust allergy (primary prevention). However, it is suitable for secondary prevention, ie for the prevention of allergic symptoms in existing house dust mite allergy.

But if you want to reduce your risk of house dust allergy and other allergies, you can stick to general tips. This is especially advisable when allergies (of any kind) are common in a family – the relatives probably have one Hereditary predisposition to allergies (Atopy) in itself. For such atopic people, it is particularly important to reduce the contact with common allergens such as dust mites as much as possible.

This should be in your own home the Reduce mite load, The tips are similar to those for people with existing house dust mite allergy (see section “Treatment”). For example, you should not house too many dust collectors in your living quarters, regularly vacuum and dust, and especially keep the bedroom cool and dry.

In infants, the risk of allergies due to the breast-feeding reduce. Therefore, experts recommend feeding babies exclusively with breast milk during the first four months of life. Also, the subsequent diet influences the risk of allergies: There is evidence that a diet rich in vegetables and fruits (Mediterranean food) can prevent atopic diseases such as house dust allergy.

House dust allergy: course and prognosis

If you reduce the allergen load consistently (by a mattress with Encasing etc.), the complaints of a house dust allergy can be significantly reduced or (in mild cases) completely avoided. Even medications can relieve the symptoms. The cause is a house dust allergy by means of hyposensitization. It is usually achieved with good results: The affected need in the connection much less allergy medicines or even no more.

With a house dust allergy, it can over time come to a level change: The allergy shifts from the upper to the lower respiratory tract – those affected develop allergic asthma.

House dust allergy: examinations and diagnosis

If a house dust allergy is suspected, a specialist in allergies (allergist) The right person to speak to.

first meeting

In the first conversation with the patient, he raises it medical history (Anamnesis): He asks, for example, the nature and extent of the complaints, personal circumstances and any other diseases.

Allergy Diary

Because allergic reactions such as watery eyes and runny nose can have many causes, the diagnosis of a house dust allergy is often difficult. The doctor will therefore probably ask you for a while Allergy Diary respectively. There you should, for example, enter when and in what intensity the various complaints occur, whether you only make themselves felt in your own home or in foreign households and what you have just made or eaten before the onset of the complaints. This information may corroborate the suspicion of a house dust allergy or may indicate other possible allergens (such as pets or food).

allergy test

In the next step, an allergy test is carried out, usually the so-called prick test: The doctor drips various allergens onto your skin on your forearm or back. Then he slightly scores the skin at the points in question. If you are not hypersensitive to an allergen, the skin will not show any changes. In case of an existing allergy, however, the skin under the corresponding allergen turns red within about 20 minutes or forms a wheal (red, usually itchy, small skin swelling).

The responsiveness of the skin can be influenced by various factors such as acute infections or the use of certain medications. With the prick test, therefore, a specific allergy such as house dust allergy can neither be clearly demonstrated nor ruled out.

blood test

Another method of investigation for a suspected house dust allergy (or other allergy) are various blood tests. Some tests only allow you to tell if there is an allergy in general or not. Others, on the other hand, are more specific, such as the RAST test, which searches for specific antibodies in the blood to detect certain allergens, such as house dust mites.

provocation test

If a dust allergy can not be determined with the help of the above-mentioned investigations, the doctor can carry out a provocation test. He applies the suspected allergen (ie mite protein) directly to the patient’s nasal mucosa. If an allergic reaction subsequently occurs, it is very likely that there is one House dust allergy in front. It is important that such a provocation test is always supervised by a doctor. If it comes to a serious allergic reaction, it can quickly take appropriate countermeasures.