House Dust Mite

House Dust Mite

House Dust Mite

House Dust Mite (HDM) is a very small creature that lives in each and every home. It is the most important indoor allergen which is responsible for aggravation allergy and asthma symptoms throughout the year. So if you have allergy symptoms round the year, HDM may be responsible factor.

A House Dust Mite measures only about one-quarter to one-third of a millimeter. As they are very small, they can only be seen under microscope. Microscopically they are 0.33 mm long, have eight legs, so they are not insects, but arthropods ( like spiders).

Dust mites is the most common trigger of year-round allergies and asthma worldwide. They are on every continent except Antarctica. It may not be possible to eradicate HDM totally from home but their concentration can definitely be reduced by following appropriate cleaning strategies.

HDM lives in hot and humid climate (temperatures of 68 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit, humidity levels of 70 to 80 percent)

Dust mites thrive in (20 to 25 degrees Celsius). They feed mainly on the tiny epithelial human skin flakes that people shed each day. Feces of HDM is the strong perennial allergen. Size of allergen is 1-10 micron which sufficient to reach distal airways and aggravation of asthma symptoms. These flakes work their way deep into the inner layers of furniture, carpets, bedding and even stuffed toys. These are the places where mites thrive. An average adult person may shed up to 1.5 grams of skin in a day. This is enough to feed one million dust mites!

Clinically important Dust Mite-

DermatophagoidesPternyssinus (Der p1 allergen)

DermatophagoidesFarinae (Der f1 allergen)

What Is  Dust Mite Allergy?

Allergic symptoms due to HDM is called HDM allergy. Dust mite allergy can last through out the year.

Symptoms of Dust Mite Allergy?

Dust mite allergy symptoms include:

  • Sneezing
  • Runny nose
  • Stuffy nose
  • Itchy, watery and red eyes
  • Itchy nose and itchy throat
  • Skin itching
  • Postnasal drip
  • Coughing

In addition to this dust mite allergy can trigger asthma symptoms and can lead to:

  • Breathing difficulty
  • Tightness in the chest or chest pain
  • Wheezing sound
  • Trouble sleeping (due to shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing)
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