Allergy Doctor: Everything You Need To Know About Dust Mite Allergy

By | June 16, 2017

allergy doctor

Dust mite allergy is the allergic reaction to dust mites that are close relatives to ticks and spiders. The condition isn’t a form of seasonal allergies as you can get it any time of the year when you get into contact with dust mites. While this is the case, experts report that the condition is more pronounced during the winter months of the year as people tend to spend most of their time indoors.

Symptoms of the condition

When you are suffering from the condition, you tend to have a number of symptoms that include: a runny nose, sneezing, itchy nose, postnasal drip, cough, red, watery eyes, facial pressure, swollen eyes, and frequent rubbing of the nose.

It’s common for the condition to bring about asthma. When this happens, you suffer from chest tightness, difficulty breathing, wheezing sounds, trouble sleeping, and bouts of coughing.

Some of the signs such as a runny nose and sneezing are similar to those you find in common cold, and it’s difficult to tell whether you have mite allergy or the common cold. If the symptoms last for more than a week, you might be having the allergies.

To avoid complications, visit your nearest allergy clinic for diagnosis. You should visit an allergy doctor immediately if experiencing severe symptoms such as nasal congestion, wheezing, or difficulty sleeping.

Diagnosis of the condition

If you present the above-mentioned symptoms, the doctor may recommend that you undertake tests to confirm that you are suffering from the condition. Two of the tests that you may have to undertake are skin and blood test.

In the allergy skin test, the doctor punctures a small amount of the purified allergen extracts into your skin surface and observes you for up to 15 minutes. If you are allergic to dust mites, you will develop a red, itchy bump on the pricked area but if you aren’t allergic, you won’t have any reaction.

The blood test is designed for people that can’t undertake the skin test due to a medical condition that may interfere with the results. In this test the doctor screens for the specific allergy-causing antibodies and if present, you are said to be allergic to dust mites.

Conclusion

This is what you need to know about dust mite allergy. If you suspect you have the allergy, visit an allergist to diagnose it. To reduce the symptoms, reduce clutter and dust in the house. Also, minimize wool and carpeting.