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House dust mite allergy - what should you do?

House dust mites are about a quarter of a millimeter long. They live off human skin scales and thrive in humid climates. Mites are found in bedding, carpets, soft furnishings and clothing. Dust mites often cause allergies because humans react to various proteins (allergens) contained in their droppings. Each mite produces about 20 of these waste droppings every day and the droppings continue to cause allergic symptoms even after the mite has died.

It is important to understand that a positive allergy skin test to dust mite does not necessarily mean that dust mites are a cause of your child's symptoms. Only some of the children with a positive allergy test will have symptoms caused by the allergen. The meaning of the allergy test result for your child should be discussed with the doctor who referred you for the allergy test.

House dust mite allergy is very common and is associated with asthma, eczema and allergic rhinitis, especially in climates such as Australia where the allergen is present in large amounts. A major site of exposure to house dust mite allergen is the bed however it is important to remember that dust mite allergen is found in all rooms of the house, on the floor and in soft furnishings, not just in the bedroom. While it is possible that if house dust mite allergen could be totally removed from the environment this would improve allergic symptoms it has not been possible to do this in Australian homes. House dust mite avoidance measures may lower but do not totally remove dust mite allergens.

There are many methods that have been used to reduce the number of mites and their allergens. Some of the methods commonly promoted are costly and there is little evidence to support their claims of effectiveness. It is therefore important that you discuss the potential value of house dust mite avoidance strategies in managing your child's allergies with your doctor.

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