Dust mite is the most common allergen in the home. These are arachnids, tiny animals belonging to the same family as spiders, invisible to the naked eye and capable of reproducing in the dust.
In our homes they are mainly found in mattresses, pillows, carpets, bookcases and in general where dust is formed. Allergies in the home can also be linked to the presence of pets, especially cats, or to fungi and molds, such as Alternaria, Aspergillus and Cladosporium; these, in addition to triggering allergies, can also aggravate symptoms in asthmatic subjects.
As Professor Giorgio Walter Canonica, Head of the Centre for Personalized Medicine: Asthma and Allergology at Humanitas, explained in an interview: “Although we do not know where mushrooms and molds nest in our homes, we do know that they occur due to the excessive humidity in closed rooms. Keeping windows closed, for example, to turn on the air conditioning increases the risk factors because the circulating air is recycled and therefore moves allergens. That’s why it’s important to clean the filters in your home air conditioning system cyclically.
Allergy symptoms and correct diagnosis
If you have symptoms typical of allergies such as rhinitis, which manifests itself in nasal obstruction, runny nose and sneezing, consult your doctor.
For diagnosis, so-called prick tests, skin tests that involve the injection of small amounts of certain allergens into the skin, may be useful. By taking blood samples, it is also possible to test IgE immunoglobulins for reactions to certain allergens. “For some years now, in clinical practice, allergological molecular diagnostics has also been used: thanks to a blood sample, it is possible to identify between 100 and 200 components of the allergen responsible for the allergic reaction. This allows us to identify the real cause of allergy and to study targeted treatment,” explains Prof. Canonica.
Attention to cleaning environments
Taking some measures to try to minimize the presence of mites in the house can be of great help. For example:
Air the rooms, often opening windows.
Clean environments and surfaces thoroughly. It may be useful, for example, to use a vacuum cleaner that retains dust mites or one equipped with a Hepa filter (efficiency particulate air filter). These devices retain a very good percentage of allergens.
Dust with a dust capturing cloth that does not raise dust and prevents it from spreading in the air at home.
Pay attention to carpets, rugs, heavy curtains and upholstery: easy receptacles for dust and therefore mites.
If possible, prefer leather to fabric sofas.
Cover mattress and pillows with mattress and pillowcases with anti-mite treatment and change sheets weekly washing them at 60 degrees.
Allergy treatment
Allergy therapy depends on the symptoms and the clinical picture of the patient: in this case we are also talking about personalized medicine.
“Antihistamine drugs or a combination of inhalation steroid with antihistamine in nasal spray may be useful for rhinitis.
For asthma, specific drugs are available – which were launched last February – such as tyotropium, a bronchodilator, and monoclonal antibodies. In particular, the most recent is mepolizumab and acts on a type of inflammation induced by the allergic reaction.
An important new development is expected to be launched at the end of the year for bronchial asthma caused by dust mites: an immunotherapy with a tablet that the patient must dissolve under the tongue and that he must take for at least three years”, concluded Professor Canonica.
