Internal Medicine

The house dust allergy

definition

House dust allergy is an allergic reaction of the body for the finest dust particlesthat occur in the household and seasonally limited or all year round.

The "mite allergy"

A house dust allergy should correctly be classified as "House dust mite allergy " are designated.

The allergen, i.e. the substance that triggers the allergy, is the excrement of the house dust mite. House dust mites are primarily found in human dwellings; survival outdoors is hardly possible.

Causes and forms

There are two different forms that lead to a house dust allergy:

Dust particles: The dust particles are partly visible, partly they cannot be perceived by the human eye. Thousands of them are in the air all the time, in closed, especially living rooms. The air pollution of these particles is drastically increased when the apartment is cleaned and dust particles that have been lying on smooth surfaces or in upholstery are whirled up. These smallest dust particles are inhaled unconsciously with every breath and can either lead to immediate discomfort or only lead to an allergic reaction after chronic inhalation.
House dust mites: They are about 0.1 mm in size and are mainly found in upholstered furniture, beds or carpets. The size makes them invisible to the human eye. Over time, the mites accumulate in the bed and upholstered furniture. The proportion of mites can be greatly increased, especially with old upholstery. The mite excrement is light and can get into the surrounding air. There it is swirled around and there is a risk that it will be inhaled. Similar to house dust, this can lead to corresponding allergic reactions and symptoms.

Read our article on this: Mite allergy.

Body reactions

There are numerous reactions of the body to penetrated particles and foreign bodies in the case of house dust allergy. One of them is the formation of so-called immunoglobulins. These are considered to be the allergic reaction caused by house dust IgE designated. When dust particles penetrate the airways, numerous IgE are formed in the body. These bind to so-called mast cells. If house dust particles or mites penetrate again, a mast cell IgE complex approaches and binds to this foreign body. The aim of this maneuver should be to bind the intruder and render it harmless.

What happens in addition, however, is the formation and emission of histamine. It is a substance that can trigger numerous reactions in the body, including also the contraction of the bronchi. This leads to the classic breathing difficulties described in allergic reactions.

Furthermore, histamine causes blood vessels to widen, which leads to an increased influx of blood. This then leads to the classic redness in the area of the skin or in the conjunctiva of the eyes.

Furthermore, histamine also leads to a swelling of the mucous membranes and an increased production of the body's own mucus and secretion. As a result, allergy sufferers suffer from a runny nose, runny nose and watery eyes in the event of an allergic reaction.

Find out more about the topic here: You can recognize a mite allergy by these symptoms

Symptoms of a house dust allergy

First of all, patients can be completely symptom-free when they come into contact with mites or house dust. As soon as the immune defense described above has developed, the body can respond quickly to allergens that have re-entered. In more harmless cases, these consist of watery eyes and a runny nose. With stronger immune reactions, skin reddening can also occur. These can be locally limited and only occur in certain parts of the body or they can be visible on the entire body (in the case of particularly strong allergic reactions). A corresponding release of histamine leads to a narrowing of the airways. This reaction only takes place in the case of very strong allergic reactions. At first there is only a slight cough and itching as well as scratching the throat.

In addition to severe reddening of the eyes, swelling of the eyelids can also occur. The eyes themselves tend to be tender and itchy when there is an allergic reaction. Foreign bodies such as Contact lenses are not tolerated.

In the case of very strong reactions, the bronchial tubes can narrow with accompanying shortness of breath.In this case, you must react quickly to this life threatening condition to avert. The full range of these symptoms is also known as an anaphylactic reaction. A life-threatening condition that results from this is also known as anaphylactic shock.

Furthermore, allergic reactions of this kind can also be associated with a deterioration in the general condition. The patients are often weakened, unstable and tired. Furthermore, long-lasting allergic reactions such as prolonged itching of the skin etc. can also have a negative effect on the psychological situation. The stronger the allergic reactions, the more restless the patients become. Patients often panic, especially when ventilation is restricted due to constriction of the bronchi.

Read more on this topic at: You can recognize a house dust allergy by these symptoms
Learn more at:

Cough if you have an allergy
You can recognize a mite allergy by these symptoms

Symptoms on the skin

A house dust allergy can show up on the skin as redness, swelling and a rash. Itching can also occur. In addition, itchy, watery eyes, increased coughing and sneezing and a runny nose often occur.

Read more on the subject at: Rash from an allergy

diagnosis

As a rule, the diagnosis of a house dust allergy can be made or assumed quickly if the symptoms mentioned above are described or are visible. Furthermore, the health survey should clarify details, such as Duration of the reaction, whether it was the first time an allergic reaction occurred, whether the allergic reaction was indoors or outdoors, whether other allergic diseases are already known, e.g. Neurodermatitis or bronchial asthma. The reason is that patients who suffer from one of these diseases are also at high risk of suffering from a house dust allergy. These patients are also called Atopic.

In most cases, however, it is not initially clear what type of allergy is present.

If the patient complains of shortness of breath, an anaphylactic reaction must be assumed, which can consistently only occur once, e.g. after eating Chinese food etc.
Depending on what time of year the symptoms are reported, hay fever must always be assumed if the redness of the eyes, itchy eyes and runny nose have started while staying outside.
If reddening of the skin can be seen on one or more areas of the skin, it may also be an allergic reaction to a skin soap or care lotion or newly used detergent.

All of this must be inquired about in order to be able to classify the type of allergy accordingly. If the examination and questioning do not provide any further information, an allergy test should be carried out. In this test, the body should come into contact with numerous substances and be provoked to develop an allergic reaction. For this purpose, the most common allergy-causing substances that occur naturally and in the household are prepared on an adhesive strip and applied to an area of skin, e.g. glued to the patient's back etc.

Here the adhesive strips stick for a few days or until the patient expresses symptoms that can no longer be tolerated, such as severe itching. Then the adhesive strips are removed and you can see which reactions have been triggered. If there was reddening or pustular formation, the patient is allergic to the antigen at this point.

There is also the option of performing a blood test on the patient. Here, in a complex process, the amount of immunoglobulin IgE formed is determined, which is particularly strong in allergic reactions. Attempts can also be made to detect increased histamine formation, which is also greatly increased in the case of a house dust allergy.

Also read: You can recognize a house dust allergy by these symptoms

What tests are there?

In order to confirm the presence of a house dust allergy, the so-called prick test is particularly useful. This can be done by an outpatient allergist. The allergen is applied to the skin. The skin in this area is then pricked a little with a small needle so that the fabric can penetrate under the skin. After a few minutes, a check is made to see whether the tested area shows any reddening or swelling of the skin. This indicates the presence of an allergic reaction to the applied substance.

Find out more about the topic here: Prick test

There is also a blood test to detect specific antibodies that can indicate the presence of a house dust allergy. Here, the patient's blood is brought into contact with the allergen (e.g. mites or mite droppings). If there are antibodies to these allergens in the blood, they bind. This bond can then be demonstrated. The presence of antibodies against the allergens in the blood is synonymous with a house dust allergy.

Read more on the subject at: Allergy diagnostics

This is what a house dust allergy rash looks like

The rash in house dust allergies presents itself with symptoms that could also apply to other allergies. A nettle rash forms on the skin. The nettle rash presents itself with flat wheals. These wheals are raised above the skin level due to the swelling and are reddish in color.

Also at Contact allergies these wheals can develop. In addition to the swelling, severe itching occurs on the affected skin areas. The location of the rash depends on which skin areas had contact with the dust mites and especially their feces.

Therapy of a house dust allergy

If a house dust allergy has been established in the patient, an attempt should definitely be made to avoid or greatly reduce contact with the substance causing the allergy. As with any allergy treatment, this measure is the most effective measure and should as far as possible consequent be performed.

If it is not possible to avoid contact, appropriate medication can be used to reduce the body's allergic reaction. Since house dust is present in all households, avoidance is usually not possible.

In severe allergic cases, tablets should be used that contain the Histamine release in the body inhibit. The group of so-called antihistminics is a frequently used group of drugs. Mostly it is taken seasonally in the treatment of hay fever. The drug can be taken prophylactically or in case of an allergic attack. However, the side effects should be noted, which manifest themselves primarily in pronounced fatigue. So should one Long-term use renounces driving become. Taking tablets causes systematic treatment throughout the body.

If the skin is reddened or the eyes itchy, ointments or drops, which also contain an antihistamine, can be used to treat the allergic reaction locally.

In the case of weaker allergic reactions, an attempt can be made to carry out a desensitization. This is a habituation situation that should be achieved. To do this, the patient is given the appropriate antigen at regular intervals. The dose should be so low that the allergic reaction is not fully developed. In some cases, after repeated measures, a habituation effect actually occurs, i.e. In the future, the body will no longer react as strongly when it comes into contact with the antigen.

There are also numerous sprays that can be inhaled and, above all, alleviate and reduce respiratory problems.

If an allergic attack is fully developed (anaphylactic reaction), it is essential to seek emergency medical help under certain circumstances. Depending on the severity of the severity, it may also be necessary to inject cortisone. A dosage of 500 mg can be selected and the substance can be injected after a venous access has been established. Patients with very severe breathing difficulties always run the risk of life-threatening shock. For this reason, patients should first be monitored by intensive care medicine. Other emergency medication that can be applied in such cases are Fenistyle and Ranitidine (also as a 3-way combination with cortisone).

In very severe cases of an allergic reaction, it may be necessary to inject the patient with adrenaline in order to maintain the vital body functions. It may also be necessary to supply the patient with the necessary oxygen through a mask or through intubation, since breathing threatens to become insufficient. If there was such a strong allergic reaction, the search for the cause should be forced to avoid repetitions.

What else helps with a house dust allergy?

The first and most important step with a house dust allergy is cleaning up the household. The aim is to keep the household as low as possible with mites. Mattresses in particular are a habitat for mites. Therefore, mattresses should be provided with special covers that significantly reduce the release of mite excrement into the air. The bed linen should also be washed very regularly. Regular cleaning of the apartment, including dusting, is also important. It should be wiped regularly to remove as many of the allergens as possible. For children, the cuddly toys should be cleaned up regularly, either by washing them or by storing them briefly in the freezer. If this is not sufficient, drugs such as cortisone sprays or - less often - antihistamines can be considered. If all of this is not sufficient, in some cases a desensitization can be useful in which the body is brought into contact with the allergen until it no longer reacts allergic.

Tablets

Usually, when an allergy is present, so-called Antihistamines used. These are drugs that significantly reduce allergic symptoms such as tearing, coughing, sneezing and runny nose. They have to be taken every day. However, it is not uncommon for them to have a much worse impact in the case of a house dust allergy than, for example, in hay fever. This is also the reason for a house dust allergy Cortisone sprays (Nasal sprays) are used, as these can often achieve better symptom relief.

Cetirizine is a drug that belongs to the group of antihistamines mentioned above. So it is used to relieve the symptoms of allergies. As already mentioned, it often does not help with a house dust allergy as well as it does with other allergies, such as hay fever. One possible side effect of cetirizine is fatigue.

Over-the-counter medication for house dust allergy including nasal spray

Common antihistamines in tablet form, such as Cetirizine, you get in the pharmacy without a prescription. The antihistamine can also be used locally in the form of eye drops. You can also get this without a prescription in the pharmacy. There are two active ingredients in eye drops.

One prevents histamine, which is the main cause of the allergic symptoms, from being released.
The other active ingredient, the classic antihistamine, occupies the histamine receptors. The histamine cannot bind and there are no symptoms.

Read also: Eye drops for an allergy

There are also nasal sprays that contain an antihistamine. The advantage here is that the active ingredient is in the right place and does not have to get there through the blood. You should always use nasal sprays with active ingredients be careful as the nasal lining quickly becomes dependent on it can be. So you should only use them for short periods of time. A good alternative to this is nasal sprays that only contain saline solution.

Further information on the subject can be found here: Nasal spray for an allergy

These home remedies can help

In the case of a house dust allergy, thorough household hygiene must first be observed so that the house dust mites cannot spread in the first place. However, if symptoms of a house dust allergy do show up, a number of home remedies can be used, especially for mild symptoms.

A Tea made from fresh nettle leaves relieves symptoms caused by the irritated mucous membrane in the nose and throat area. It can also be drunk prophylactically.

In addition, inhaling the Mucous membrane calms and moisturizes become. For this you can use a Saline solution use. For this you dissolve a small amount of salt in water and then inhale the hot steam.

Most of all, a rash is associated with it itching in the foreground, a bath with sea salt can be tried. Sea salt can also be effective as a nasal rinse or spray. It causes the nasal mucosa to swell and so alleviates the symptoms.

Also taking Black seed oil over a period of two weeks may have a positive effect on the allergic reaction.

One should pay attention to this with the bed linen

The bed is the preferred place of residence for house dust mites. There are special covers for allergy sufferers impermeable to the mites are. You can buy a protective cover for the mattress. This way, the dust mites stay in the mattress and no longer get on the skin. On the other hand, no more flakes of skin can get near the mites. These covers should be permeable to air so that no moisture is accumulated in the mattress.

Similar covers are also available for pillows and duvets. You can just use them as a protective layer under the actual bedding to cover the blanket and pillow. These protective covers should be washed at 60 degrees at least every six to eight weeks.

The normal bed linen should even be changed every week and washed at 60 degrees. Due to the high temperature during washing, the dust mites die and it also removes their droppings.

The right pillow also plays an important role for an allergy sufferer. You can find out about their material, costs and much more at: Pillows for allergy sufferers

An alternative to the special protective covers are pillows and blankets made of synthetic materials, which can be washed at at least 60 degrees. If a protective cover is not used here, the pillows and duvet must be washed hot at regular intervals.

For more detailed information on choosing bed linen, please read our article on: Bed linen for allergy sufferers

Vacuum cleaning, air purifiers and co. - What can I do to alleviate the symptoms?

The bedroom is especially predestined to contain a lot of dust mites. Therefore, the room temperature should not rise above twenty degrees if possible and the air should be as dry as possible. The target value is approximately below 60 percent humidity. In order to maintain this climate, ventilation should be carried out regularly.

Indoor plants in the bedroom should be avoided as they provide moisture. In addition, curtains and open bookcases should be avoided, at least in the bedroom. A lot of dust can collect here, which can worsen symptoms.

The floor should be vacuumed every few days and also wiped with a damp cloth so that the dust is not stirred up with every step.

With the vacuum cleaner bags, care must be taken that they contain a so-called microfilter, which can also hold back the fine excrement of house dust mites.

There are also special air filters that can clean the air in the room from the smallest particles. The filters work according to different methods. Before buying such an air filter, you should seek expert advice, as these filters can be very expensive.

More on this topic: Air purifier for allergies

Desensitization for house dust allergy

With a house dust allergy, desensitization is possible, if other measures do not provide adequate relief the complaints can be achieved. In this method, the allergen is first injected under the patient's skin in a very small dose. Then the dose is slowly increased up to the so-called maintenance dose. This is then given by the doctor every four to six weeks.

The purpose of the desensitization is to train the immune system not to form the allergy-triggering IgE antibodies, but rather protective IgG antibodies. As a rule, the desensitization takes three years.

Even afterwards, the hygiene measures in the household must be observed, since one should continue to avoid dust mites as much as possible.

Homeopathy for a house dust allergy

Homeopathy can be used as symptomatic therapy for a mild house dust allergy. Through the Globules only the acute symptoms can be influenced. An improvement in the allergy itself cannot be achieved with this.

Before taking homeopathic preparations, you should consult a specialist doctor who has experience in homeopathy. He can then advise which preparation can help best and which dosage should be taken. In addition, he can assess the symptoms of the allergy and possibly avert dangerous situations. The choice of the preparation depends largely on the individual symptoms. A selection of the possible preparations are for example Sabadilla, which is chosen for colds, sneezes and watery eyes or Acidum formicicum. The latter is used when the patient complains of itchy and watery eyes and wheals are formed on the skin.

The effectiveness of homeopathy for a house dust allergy has not yet been scientifically proven. At the same time, the treatment shows few side effects, so that a homeopathic treatment can be considered. Nevertheless, attention should still be paid to the hygienic measures to avoid house dust mites.

What does the health insurance company pay if you suffer from a house dust allergy?

If you suffer from a house dust allergy, you should discuss with your health insurance company which medication or aids it will cover. This can vary from health insurer to health insurer. As a rule, the health insurance companies cover all medication that a doctor has prescribed for house dust allergy. An example are the antiallergic drugs (Antihistamines). Over-the-counter drugs are often not covered by health insurance and have to be paid for yourself.

With a house dust allergy, many patients need special protective covers for mattresses, duvets and pillows. these can Also prescribed by the doctor as an aid and most health insurances will then also reimburse the costs. However, you should consult your health insurance company beforehand about which aids will be paid for and which will not.

House dust allergy in children

House dust allergy occurs in both children and adults. The symptoms are mostly similar: Itchy eyes, cough, a stuffy and often runny nose, frequent sneezing and skin symptoms such as redness or swelling.

An allergy to house dust mites often develops early, namely in the first 5-6 years of life. This means that a relatively large number of children suffer from house dust allergies. However, some of the symptoms do not develop until years later, i.e. in adolescence or adulthood. E.

An untreated house dust allergy can lead to the development of asthma. Therefore, treatment, or the best possible prevention through certain household precautions, is important.

So-called desensitization can come into question therapeutically, especially in children. (Read the thematically similar article: Hyposensitization for hay fever) Here the body is repeatedly exposed to the allergen in very small doses. This happens until the body has got used to it, so to speak, and no longer reacts allergically. The desensitization phase lasts up to 3 years.

But the most important thing is first of all to make the child's environment as low as possible. One speaks of a "Budget cleanup". The mattress of the bed in particular is an important playground for mites. There are specially coated mattress covers that prevent the mite excrement from escaping into the air. They have a special coating Encasing referred to as. In addition, the duvet covers should be washed regularly, as well as the cuddly toys. If these are not washable, they can be packed in a plastic bag and placed in the freezer for a few hours. Regular cleaning, especially wet wiping, is also essential. Such mite remediation of the household is often sufficient to significantly reduce the symptoms of the affected child.

If symptoms persist, they can be treated with medication, for example agents from the group of antihistamines, these include, for example Cetirizine and Loratidine. These drugs inhibit the allergic symptoms. The disadvantage is that, as a side effect, they cause severe fatigue in some people. In the case of a house dust allergy, however, they are often less effective than, for example, hay fever.

This is why cortisone preparations are also used, for example in the form of nasal sprays. If you already have asthma, appropriate sprays for the airways should be used. If that doesn't help either, the above-mentioned desensitization can be considered. Here, the child is injected with the allergen under the skin about every 6 weeks in order to slowly get the body used to it. The treatment takes about 3 years, the chances of success are relatively good, but such a therapy does not help every person affected.

Summary

House dust allergies are very common. You will go through for one smallest dust particles triggered, which are present in the ambient air and are inhaled unconsciously, on the other hand House dust mitesthat are in upholstery and beds. The feces they produce are thrown into the air and can be inhaled.

There is one in the body immunological responsewhich leads to several intermediate steps histamine is formed and distributed. Histamine causes the bronchi to contract, which can lead to shortness of breath. Furthermore, the blood vessels are widened, which is aimed at increasing the influx of blood and leading to classic reddening of the skin. The skin or the conjunctiva of the eyes can also be very itchy. Furthermore, the mucous membranes of the nose swell, which causes the nose to start runny.

The therapy depends on the one hand on the symptoms and on the other hand on the severity. Local skin redness can be treated with ointments. Systemic problems such as excessive tearing and reddening of the skin should be treated with antihistamine tablets. If there are also breathing and air problems, cortisone should always be used. This can be administered to the patient either as a tablet or as an infusion. It is important to monitor the patient accordingly. Medicines such as fenistil and ranitidine can also be given. If life-threatening conditions occur, the administration of adrenaline should be considered. In more harmless courses, desensitization can be attempted.