Things you need to know about dust mite allergies
Dust mite allergy is a reaction caused by tiny bugs that belong to the spider family. Through a microscope, you can see these mites in your house dust. You can also find them in your bedding, carpeting, and even upholstery. They feed on the dead skin cells that are shed by the human body.
Symptoms of dust mite allergies
Dust mite allergy usually begins with swelling of the nasal passage. Other signs to look out for are as follows:
- A runny nose
- Cough
- Itchy nose
- Itching on the roof of the mouth or in the throat
- Sneezing
- Nasal congestion
- Red or watery eyes
- Postnasal drip
- Facial pressure and pain
- The skin under the eyes turn bluish
When to see a doctor?
Dust mite allergy can scale from mild to critical. Often the symptoms are similar to that of a common cold, and therefore, it can become difficult to diagnose the same without medical help. If you notice severe nasal congestion, constant itching, or a problem in sleeping, its best to book an appointment with your doctor to get the medication for the same.
Treatment for dust mite allergy
Once the doctor has diagnosed the allergy, they will prescribe you some oral medications to get relief. Please make sure that you have them on time. If you do not get relief from the medication, please see your doctor again.
Some medicines which can help you to reduce dust mite allergies are as follows:
- Antihistamines – Antihistamines are advised by the doctor in case you are experiencing itching in the nose or eye. The medicine is available in a liquid form, as pills and even as sprays that can be given to kids.
- Nasal corticosteroids – It is a nasal spray that can help you reduce the swelling in your nose and reduce or control the allergic reaction.
- Leukotriene receptor antagonists – The job of this medication is to control and avert the activity of the chemical messengers involved in an allergic reaction.
Sometimes, even after taking the prescribed medicines, some people do not experience any relief. It means that their body needs immunotherapy. These are allergy shots which can help in reducing the severity of the allergic reaction. Immunotherapy can reduce the course of the allergic disease by altering the body’s immune response to the allergy.
Solutions for dust mite allergies
- Allergy shots – SCIT (subcutaneous immunotherapy) : This one’s a trusted treatment and has been curing people for over 100 years. SCIT is a series of shots that has larger amounts of the allergen. After taking this injection, patients can see the symptoms getting treated and the allergy subsiding.
- Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) under-the-tongue : SLIT medication was approved by the FDA in 2017. This treatment improves the patient’s tolerance to dust and helps control the symptoms of the allergic reaction.
