Indoor dust contains small particles of hair, skin, pollen, mold and fibers, along with microscopic dust mites, which trigger an allergic reaction in some people when they breathe in the particles and mites. Attempts to clean your home to remove the dust often results in a worsening of allergy symptoms, as more dust is breathed in during the cleaning process. Symptoms of a severe dust allergy include itching, nasal problems, disrupted sleep and asthma.
Itching
Exposure to an allergen, such as dust, frequently causes itching where the dust came into contact with your body. Itching in your eyes develops after kicking up dust during activities, like cleaning or walking through an infrequently used or dirty space, like a barn or attic. Breathing in dust causes your nose, the roof of your mouth and throat to itch and might cause you to feel as if you have a scratchy throat. Children with allergies to dust or dust mites often rub or scratch upward on their noses, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Nasal Problems
Exposure to airborne dust irritates and inflames your nasal passages, causing problems with your nose. Frequent bouts of sneezing is a common symptom of dust allergies. Runny nose, post-nasal drip and a persistent stuffed up or congested nose are also symptoms of severe dust allergies. Swelling and pressure in your nose and cheeks as a result of inflammation in your nasal passages and sinuses is another symptom of severe dust allergies.
Disrupted Sleep
Certain sleep problems are symptoms of allergies to dust or dust mites that inhabit your linens and bed. Difficulty breathing and frequent coughing attacks caused by dust allergies make it hard to fall asleep. Coughing, shortness of breath and wheezing also cause frequent awakenings during the night. Swelling or dark circles under your eyes when you wake up are another symptom dust allergies, due to prolonged exposure while you are in bed.
Asthma
People with dust allergies and asthma often experience onset of asthma symptoms as a result of exposure to dust, reports the American College of Allergy Asthma and Immunology. Dust is a common trigger of asthma symptoms, including wheezing and coughing, as well as tightness in your chest muscles and shortness of breath. Frequent exposure to dust mites is a common cause of asthma symptoms in children. Dust mites live in every home, especially in bedding and carpet where children frequently play. Motion, such as rolling around in the carpet, causes the mites and their waste to become airborne, allowing children to breathe them in and develop asthma symptoms. Severe dust or dust mite allergies can also result in an asthma attack, which is life threatening without medications and medical intervention.
