Dust allergies, often known as Dust Mite Allergies, occur frequently and can result in a variety of respiratory symptoms.
Knowing whether you have a dust allergy or not can help you manage your symptoms and take the necessary precautions to limit exposure to allergens. In this article, we will explore some indicators and actions you can take to identify if you have a dust allergy.
What Is Dust Mite Allergy?
A dust mite allergy is an allergic reaction to tiny organisms that typically live in home dust. Dust mites, which eat the cells of human skin, thrive in the warm, humid environments. Most homes have carpets, upholstered furniture, and bedding, which provides dust mites with the ideal habitat. The primary signs and symptoms of dust mite allergy include sneezing and runny nose. Many people who are allergic to dust mites also experience asthma symptoms like wheezing and breathing difficulties.
Dust allergy symptoms may vary from person to person. However, the common symptoms are:
Sneezing: Frequent sneezing, often after being exposed to dust or during cleaning dusty areas.
Stuffy or runny Nose: A persistently stuffy or runny nose, frequently accompanied by postnasal drip.
Watery or itchy eyes: You may experience redness, or itching of the eyes.
Episodes of Coughing: A persistent cough, particularly when first waking up or during the night.
Wheezing or shortness of breath: The person may experience tightness in the chest or wheezing.
You may also encounter the following if your dust mite allergy contributes to asthma:
- Chest discomfort or stiffness
- Whistling noises that can be heard when exhaling
- Inability to fall asleep because of coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath
An allergy to dust mites might be moderate or severe. When the condition is severe, it may be ongoing (chronic), causing persistent sneezing, coughing, congestion, facial pain, eczema, or a severe asthma attack.
Take an allergy test to find out if you have a dust allergy or other allergies. Allergy tests can provide you more conclusive information. Two primary categories of allergy tests are:
Blood Test: A blood test, such as the specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) blood test, can be used to determine the amount of antibodies that are linked to particular allergens in your body. An allergic reaction to dust mites may be indicated by elevated IgE antibody levels.
Skin Pricking Test: A small amount of allergen extracts, such as those from dust mites, are applied to your skin as part of the skin prick test, and you are then asked to softly prick or scratch the affected region. If you have an allergy to the particular allergens, you can experience a little swollen lump or redness where the prick was made.
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How to prevent dust allergy
- Keep your environment clean.
- Remove any wall-to-wall carpets, rugs, and coverings, especially in the bedroom.
- Keep the pets outside the house and out of the bedroom.
- Reduce the humidity in your home.
- Put “mite-proof” covers on your pillows and mattresses, and wash your bed linens periodically in hot water.
- While cleaning, don a mask.
It's crucial to speak with a medical expert who focuses on dust allergy treatment, such as an allergist or immunologist. They can assess your symptoms, medical background, and allergy testing to determine whether you have a dust allergy or if your symptoms have another underlying cause.
Agilus Diagnostics, a subsidiary of Fortis Healthcare Limited
