Dust mites produce nasal allergies in 20 million to 40 million people in the United States. Treatment and preventive measures cost the U.S. consumer $1.2 billion a year, but reducing the presence of this microscopic, eight-legged bug can lessen the expense.
Description of Dust Mites
Dust mites exist as microscopic organisms resembling ticks, but do not bite humans. Because the organism is smaller than a pin head, it can't be seen with the naked eye. Dust mites live off of human skin that flakes off your body regularly. The dust mites live in mattresses, rugs, stuffed toys and stuffed furniture, especially in warm climates.
Symptoms
Dust mites cause allergic rhinitis and asthma. Allergic rhinitis symptoms include watery eyes, swollen and itchy eyes, sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, inflamed nasal passage, face pressure, facial pain and coughing.
Allergy Shots for Dust Mites
To treat dust mites, the person with allergies may pursue immunotherapy, which involves injections of the dust mite allergen into the patient. After a series of shots, the individual ideally builds up resistance to dust mites, and the allergic symptoms should decrease.
Preventive Measures at Home
Avoidance of dust mites can reduce allergy symptoms. Placement of impermeable covers on the patient’s mattress benefits individuals with dust mite allergies by preventing the build-up of mites in the mattress. Individuals sensitive to dust mites should wash bed linens--including sheets, pillow cases and blankets--once a week to remove skin flakes that attract dust mites. Because dust mites live in warm, moist environments, keeping the humidity in the home low by using a dehumidifier or air conditioner reduces the mites' presence. Because carpets harbor dust mites, remove the rugs in the home or use smaller washable rugs. Using a damp mop to remove dust in the home prevents spreading the dust into the air. Use a vacuum with a high-efficiency particulate air filter (HEPA) to help keep dust from escaping the vacuum cleaner bag.
Air Purifiers
Many patients swear by the effectiveness of air purifiers in reducing the symptoms of dust mites. The machine works by removing the dust in the air, but fails to remove the dust mite effectively as the mite does not remain airborne long enough to be filtered by the system.
Medications
Physicians prescribe three types of medications for allergic rhinitis caused by dust mites. Antihistamines, steroids and decongestants treat the symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Antihistamines such as Allegra, Claritin and Zyrtec block the chemicals in the body that cause sneezing, itchy eyes and runny nose. Steroids such as Flonase and Nasonex, both taken via nasal spray, decrease inflammation and congestion. Decongestants shrink the swelling of nasal passages.
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