Do you get itchy eyes, a runny nose or a scratchy throat when you dust the house or take boxes up to the attic? If so, you may be allergic to dust mites – microscopic arachnids that feed on dead skin cells, animal dander and other particles found in dust. Unfortunately, no matter how clean your home is, you’ll have dust mites. The good news is, there are ways to reduce the number of dust mites in your home and treat your allergies long-term. We review how below.
How to Reduce Dust Mites in Your Home
One way to manage allergies is to practice avoidance of known allergens. While it’s impossible to avoid dust mites entirely, there are strategies for reducing how many are in your home, including:
- Washing your bedding weekly in hot water at Lucky Laundromat.
- Investing in allergy-proof covers for mattresses, duvets and pillows.
- Using a vacuum cleaner fitted with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter.
- Wiping down surfaces with a clean, damp cloth regularly rather than dry dusting.
- Cleaning upholstered cushions and curtains regularly.
- Fitting windows with roller blinds that can easily be cleaned.
- Selecting wood or vinyl flooring rather than carpeting.
- Installing a portable HEPA filter.
Treating Dust Mite Allergies Long-Term
If you still experience dust mite allergies after taking the steps above, you may benefit from immunotherapy. Immunotherapy is a long-term approach to treating allergies that works by introducing your body to allergens in small doses so that your immune system can build up a tolerance to them.
There are two types of immunotherapy: subcutaneous (allergy shots) and sublingual (allergy drops). One study found that allergy drops are effective against dust mites.
About the Study
The study, entitled “Efficacy of House Dust Mite Sublingual Immunotherapy in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial” was published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice in February 2022.
Atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema, causes inflammation, itching, rashes and bumps on the skin, usually in the knee and elbow bends. This condition is also associated with asthma and rhinitis. Dust mites are just one of the many possible triggers of atopic dermatitis.
For the study, 91 participants ages three and up were assigned to one of two groups. One group received allergy drops and the other received placebo drops. This went on for 18 months.
After the 18-month period, the group who received the allergy drops exhibited fewer symptoms. Side effects were rare, and for those who did experience them, they were mild, consisting mostly of short-lived, local reactions.
The study authors note that the results are statistically significant, indicating allergy drops are an effective add-on treatment for people with atopic dermatitis who react to dust mites. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Palmetto ENT & Allergy today.