Be Cautious of Dust Allergy

Be Cautious Of Dust Allergy

Allergy to dust and the components of dust is a common problem. One of the most remarkable things about dust is the number of invisible creatures that live in it. One such tiny insect is the dust mite and it is responsible for the vast majority of allergic responses.

This insect lives off organic matter including shed human skin and the faecal pellets it produces trigger allergies in many people. The mite lives in bedsheets, carpets and upholstery and by itself does not bite. Another common cause of dust allergy is pollen in the air. The body’s immune system recognizes these as foreign substances and subsequently the eyes and nose water and the irritating symptoms begin.

Controlling an allergy to dust includes avoiding dust and also preventing the growth of dust mites

Dust allergy can sometimes be manifested by wheezing and difticulty in breathing. This is mostly seen in patients with asthma where dust acts as the trigger. The management of wheezing indudes using inhalers to decrease the inflammation and swelling in the air tubes and also inhalers to relax the muscles in the air tubes to allow air to pass easily in to and out of the lungs.

Other things in dust include animal hair from pets, fur, feathers and cockroaches are also well known to trigger allergy symptoms. Controlling an allergy to dust includes avoiding dust and also preventing the growth of dust mites.

Dust Allergy Management

• Minimize humidity to minimize mites
• Keep pets away from the bedroom and possibly out of the house
• Remove wall to wall carpeting in the bedroom
• Wash linen frequently in hot water and use mite-proof cases on pillows and mattresses
• High efficiency air filters may decrease the allergen load, although data is not definitive on their usefulness. They may also decrease dust in the environment.

Cockroach particles exist in dust and can trigger allergy and asthma in children especially. Therefore, it would be helpful to see your doctor and also a pulmonologist or allergist to discuss dust allergy management. Some patients may also benefit from a form of treatment called immunotherapy or allergy shots whereby the tolerance to allergy triggers increase.