Mite allergy

Allergy to dust mites is becoming a threatening problem in the modern world. House dust is considered to be one of the most common factors causing allergies. It consists of fiber elements, pet hair, exfoliated fragments of human epithelium, microorganism spores, food particles and cockroaches. Of the known allergens, the most harmful are considered to be the waste products of dust mites.

What is tick allergy?

Approximately 150 species of dust mites have been discovered, preferring damp, darkened and warm corners of living spaces. Dust mites of the Dermatofogoides species of the farine and pteronyssinus genus are the most common house mites. Moreover, the farina mite is resistant to low humidity in rooms. About 80% of the total number of mites that cause allergies are the farina and pteronyssinus species, which prefer the owner's beds and carpets. Allergy to farina mites and pteronyssinus mites is an immune reaction of the body to the type of excretory secretions of dust mites, which include: larval skins, secretion of lateral glands and excrement.

How does dust mite allergy manifest itself?

An allergic reaction is an immune response of the body aimed at protecting against foreign substances or allergens. The immune system produces antibodies that produce the hormone "histamine". It is due to the increase in the level of histamine in the body that a reaction called allergic occurs. Its manifestations are sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, sinusitis, various dermatitis, difficulty breathing and even bronchial asthma.

It should be noted that allergy to mites occurs only in people with a genetic predisposition to it. Among the varieties of dust mites, allergy is caused by mites of the Dermatophagoides species (from Latin - "skin-eating").

An allergy to a tick bite, or rather the immune system's response to its vital activity, causes irritation, itching, redness or swelling of the skin. In fact, dust mites are not capable of biting and are not bloodsucking. They are saprophytes, that is, lifelong companions of man and live in each of us, feeding on exfoliated scales of the horny epithelium.

Only a doctor can make a final diagnosis of "allergy to ticks". If you notice a persistent cough, nasal congestion, difficulty breathing in the morning, then this is a serious reason to think. Do not forget that allergic rhinitis can lead to serious consequences - asthma, the appearance of polyps, the development of other forms of allergies. Monitor your body's reaction in conditions of maximum dust formation (sweeping, changing the bed, beating carpets). If you get worse, it is important to get examined and undergo special testing to identify the allergen, which will determine an allergy to ticks.

What amount of dust mite is dangerous for humans?

Microscopic arthropods are hidden from the naked eye, dust mites can only be seen with a microscope. Their sizes range from 0.1-0.5 mm. There can be from a hundred to several thousand mites in one gram of dust. The air in the room contains fragments of dead dust mites, their fecal particles, which are the most dangerous for allergy sufferers. Floating in the air, they do not settle for a long time and enter the human respiratory system.

Allergy to house dust mites can be seasonal. The quantity of dust mites depends on the microclimate in the house, as well as the region in which you live. The most favorite refuge of the mite is the bed, where the best conditions for the life of the microorganism are created - a temperature of 20-25 ° C with a humidity of 75%. In your double bed, in addition to you, up to two million dust mites sleep, eat and even defecate. It is not surprising that allergy to bed mites is most pronounced in the morning. This can cause wild itching, redness, skin swelling or a rash.

Long-term studies have revealed the peak period of dust mite concentration – this is the summer-autumn season, lasting from the end of August to the end of October. Before prescribing treatment, it is recommended to determine the number of allergens, which is measured by the content of the pathogen in one gram of dust. If the number of mites exceeds 100 units, a thorough cleaning of the premises should be carried out to reduce the risk factor. The content of 1500-2000 individuals can lead to the development of chronic diseases. The number of dust mites exceeding 500 units can cause an asthma attack in individuals genetically predisposed to atopy.

Allergy to house dust mites can be prevented by timely self-assessment of the pollution of the premises using special test systems. There are also environmental organizations that check the home for the presence of dust mites.

Treatment for Dust Mite Allergy

Allergy relief and treatment of tick allergy are provided by medications. Antihistamines can relieve swelling and inflammation, the list of side effects is minimized. Modern medications such as "Telfast", "Erius" are not toxic to the liver, do not cause drowsiness.

"Telfast" in tablet form is available in 30, 120, 180 mg. Children aged 6-11 years take 1 tablet (30 mg) orally twice a day, adults and children over 12 years old - 1 tablet (120, 180 mg) once a day. Prescribed for seasonal allergies, for the treatment of chronic urticaria, allergies to mites.

"Erius" is presented as syrup and tablets. Tablets should be taken without chewing, strictly at the same time, without reference to food intake. For children over 12 years old and adults, the medicinal dose is 5 mg / day. The syrup is used in the treatment of children and adults, it can be washed down with a small amount of water. The daily norm is: for ages 1-5 years - 2.5 ml (1.25 mg), 6-11 years - 5 ml (2.5 mg), children over 12 and adults - 10 ml (5 mg). Relieves allergic conditions of the respiratory tract, used to eliminate skin allergies to mites.

"Aquamaris" and "Salin" based on sea salt are safe even for infants and are used to combat allergies to mites and other allergens.

The therapeutic effect of the nasal spray "Aquamaris" is achieved with the following dosages:

• for children aged 1 to 7, 2 injections are prescribed for each nasal canal 3-4 times a day;
• for children 7-16 years old, 2 injections are given 5-6 times a day;
• Adults are prescribed 3 injections 6 to 8 times during the day.

For preventive purposes, Aquamaris spray is used as follows:

• for 1-7 years – 1-2 sprays into each nostril 1-2 times a day;
• for 7-16 years – 2 injections 2-3 times during the day;
• Adults are allowed up to 2-3 injections 3-4 times a day.

Aquamaris drops are prescribed to both children and adults with varying degrees of severity of the disease. It is recommended to instill 2 drops in each nostril 2 to 5 times a day. The preventive effect is achieved by a single dose of 1-2 drops or by instillation twice a day. It cleanses the nasal mucosa well and is well tolerated by patients.

Nasal spray "Salin" for allergies to ticks is prescribed in the amount of 1 spray for infants and children, adults - 2 sprays in each nostril. When spraying, do not tilt your head back or turn the bottle upside down.

"Tafen nasal" - spray belongs to the group of weakly hormonal drugs, used in the treatment of tick allergy in pregnant women and children over 6 years old. The drug is used both in the early and late stages of tick allergy. The dosage at the beginning of the course is 100 mcg for each nostril twice a day. The maintenance dose is 50 mcg twice a day or a single spray in the morning of 100 mcg. If a dose is missed, it should be taken as soon as possible, but not less than an hour before the next dose. Stop using smoothly with a gradual reduction in dosage.

To treat mite allergies at home, you can make a saline solution yourself from half a teaspoon of salt per glass of water. Nasal rinsing significantly alleviates painful conditions by washing out dust particles, mites, and other microorganisms from the sinuses.

Immunotherapy is prescribed based on the results of skin tests that identify potentially dangerous irritants. Treatment of tick allergy can be carried out for a year, giving stable results for up to 12 years. An important component for consolidating the effect obtained is ensuring a hypoallergenic lifestyle.

How to get rid of dust mites?

Destroying dust mites is a task that requires consistency. The basic rules for combating dust mite allergies are:

• minimize places where dust accumulates – get rid of fur, replace carpets with parquet or linoleum, this is especially true for the bedroom;
• wash at a temperature of at least 60° weekly using acaricidal additives that kill ticks;
• if possible, replace curtains (a favorite home for dust mites) with blinds;
• the bedroom is not a place for pets, which can facilitate the movement of ticks;
• Store books, dishes, and clothes in closed cabinets;
• replace feather pillows and wool blankets with hypoallergenic materials and fillers, dry bedding in the sun more often and air it out;
• Give preference to fillers with the “NOMITE” sign, which provides maximum protection for people prone to household allergies;
• use special hypoallergenic bed covers;
• do wet cleaning of the premises daily, wash the floor with water with 5 tablespoons of salt dissolved in it;
• for treating upholstered furniture (if it is not possible to replace it with leather) and carpets, use special solutions based on benzyl benzoates, tannins and borates;
• give preference to vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters, wet cleaning with a vacuum cleaner can only be done using anti-allergenic, acaricidal additives;
• use ozonizers, photocatalytic air purifiers or air purifiers with an ultraviolet lamp, which can significantly reduce mite colonies and thereby reduce the manifestations of mite allergies;
• maintain room humidity no higher than 50%;
• Spray furniture with special products that combat dust mites;
• ventilate the room more often, do not smoke in the apartment;
• Ensure timely cleaning and replacement of the air conditioner filter to minimize the risk factors for dust mite allergies;
• remove soft toys and computers from the bedroom, where a lot of dust accumulates, and therefore dust mites;
• remember that dusty places are the main cause of dust mite allergies, try to clean even in hard-to-reach places;
• take enough vitamin C;
• Beware of cross-allergic reactions, be careful when eating shrimp, shellfish, arthropods, etc.

A person increases the comfort of his home and unwittingly improves the environment for the reproduction of dust mites. According to research, allergies to mites cause health problems in 20% of the world's population. Do not neglect advice on how to combat the invisible mite, do not save on yourself and do not be permissive about the symptoms of the disease that have appeared.

Important Facts About Dust Mites

• dust mites have always closely coexisted with humans, entering their homes with agricultural products and birds;
• the house tick is small in size but has a large population;
• the body of the dust mite is transparent and cannot stand sunlight;
• the tick will not survive freezing;
• dust mites do not bite, do not suck blood and are not carriers of infection;

• Most ticks prefer warm, humid conditions;
• Not all people with allergies react specifically to ticks;
• House dust mite allergy is a common condition;
• dust allergy can be caused not only by dust mites, but also by other components of dust;
• The manifestations of allergic reactions vary in their symptoms and severity.