One of the most common airborne allergens is the dust mite. Dust mites are insects that that are too tiny to see and live on dead skin cells. They live in furniture, bedding and carpet and cause many allergy symptoms in babies. An allergy is an immune system response to the allergen and can produce mild to severe symptoms and can be worse at different times of the year.
Nasal Issues
A baby who is allergic to dust mites will have a runny or stuffy nose with an increase in clear mucous. Some babies will push and wipe at their noses when this symptom is present, which Baby Center calls the "allergic salute." Since a baby cannot tell his parent what is going on, this common allergy symptom can provide clues as to when his allergies are bothering him. In addition, his nose may be itchy, which can produce crankiness and discomfort. Since dust mites live in bedding, wash a baby's sheets often in hot water and dry them in the dryer to effectively get rid of dust mites. A hypoallergenic mattress can also be purchased to reduce nasal symptoms.
Eye Changes
When a baby is suffering from an allergy to dust mites, she will often experience symptoms in her eyes that a parent will recognize as allergies. This includes itchy, watery and red eyes. If a baby is able to rub her eyes, these symptoms may worsen. Another symptom of airborne allergies is the appearance of dark circles under her eyes, called allergic conjunctivitis. The skin will look purple or blue as if she has a bruise under her eye.
Breathing Difficulties
With the nasal congestion that often accompanies dust mite allergies, a baby may have trouble breathing through his nose and will exhibit excessive mouth breathing. A dust mite allergy can also produce wheezing and shortness of breath, which can progress into asthma if left untreated. Keeping the humidity in the home under 50 percent and using a HEPA filter in the furnace can help reduce and alleviate breathing symptoms, says Baby Zone. This is because dust mites live better in a moist environment, and keeping the air in the home dry will help control them.
