House Dust Mite Allergy

House Dust Mite can be found in every home and a sensitivity to house dust mites can also aggravate atopic eczema and cross react with how the body responds to certain foods.

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What is house dust mite allergy?

House dust mite allergy is very common and associated with asthma, eczema and perennial allergic rhinitis. Mites are found in carpets, soft furnishing and clothing but a significant amount of exposure to house dust mite allergens happens in bed. Measures can be taken to avoid house dust mite, but it is not possible to entirely remove dust mite allergens in the home.

Symptoms  of a house dust mite allergy

Symptoms tend to be present year-round and often appear at night, or first thing in the morning. These include:

Cough
Wheeze
Runny or blocked nose

Treatments and solutions  

Deploy allergen reduction measures in the home. Although it is not possible to eliminate HDM entirely, a thorough and consistent cleaning regime will help to significantly reduce the symptoms. More on ways to approach this can be found within Allergy UK resources
Nasal sprays
Non-sedating antihistamines
An allergen barrier balm around the edge of each nostril can work to trap the allergen
Increase ventilation and reduce humidity in the indoor environment

In moderate to severe HDM allergy, allergen-specific immunotherapy may be appropriate. This requires initial GP assessment then referral to allergy/immunology specialist. It is unlikely to be NHS funded.