What are dust mites?

Dust mites are microscopic, insect-like creatures approximately a quarter of a millimetre long. We aren’t able to see them with the naked eye.

As unpleasant as it may sound, these tiny pests live on flakes of dead skin (also known as ‘dander’) from us and our pets. They also tend to love living in warm, humid and damp conditions. 

What is a dust mite allergy?

A dust mite allergy (or simply ‘dust allergy’) is a form of allergic reaction caused by dust mites.

Estimated to affect approximately five million people in England alone, dust mite allergies are incredibly common. But how exactly do they cause people to experience an allergic reaction?

Well, after processing our dead skin, dust mites shed tiny droppings that stick to dust and easily spread around the house. These droppings also contain specific proteins that can trigger allergic reactions in some people.

For this reason, dust mites are recognised as a major source of potential allergens (something that makes you sneeze, itch or feel sick) and a common cause behind allergic rhinitis (where your nose becomes irritated by something you’re allergic to).

In fact, within the UK, dust mites are the most common trigger for year-round allergic reactions.

What are the symptoms of a dust mite allergy?

While you might not be able to see dust mites, if you’re allergic to them, you’ll probably know when you’re within their vicinity.

This is because people with dust mite allergies will often start to experience a number of symptoms within minutes of coming into contact with them. This can include symptoms like:

• Sneezing
• Having an itchy, runny or blocked nose
• Itchy, red or watery eyes
• Swollen eyelids
• Feeling weak and tired
• The roof of your mouth becoming itchy

Symptoms will often feel worse at night or in the morning because dust mites tend to live in mattresses, pillows and bedding.

If you have asthma (a common lung condition) as well, dust mites can trigger your symptoms or make them worse, leaving you at a higher risk of experiencing an asthma attack.

That’s why it’s so important to learn about dust mites earlier on to understand how to deal with them effectively. 

What causes a dust mite allergy?

Dust mite allergies develop when your body overreacts to the presence of proteins within a dust mite’s dropping, triggering a chain reaction within your immune system .

When your body first recognises a dust mite allergen , it creates antibodies to fight against it, helping you become more ready to ‘respond’ whenever you next come into contact with one.

When you do come into contact with one, these antibodies trigger the release of certain chemical substances and set off an allergic reaction within your body.

One of these substances is called histamine , which is responsible for causing all of the symptoms associated with allergic rhinitis, such as having a runny nose or itchy eyes.

Dust mite allergy risk factors

There are certain factors that may increase your risk of developing a dust mite allergy. These include:

• Being a child or young adult
• Having a family history of dust allergies or other allergies
• Being exposed to a high level of dust and dust mites
• Environmental factors like air pollution and cigarette smoke 

Complications of dust mite allergies

If you have a dust mite allergy, regular exposure to them may cause complications such as:

• Sinusitis : Being continually exposed to dust mites may make the sinuses (the air-filled spaces in your head around your nose) become swollen and sore. This may then block them and make it easier for you to get infections.
• Asthma: Dust mites are the most likely to trigger asthma out of all the other types of household-based allergens.
• Atopic dermatitis (eczema): If you have a skin condition like eczema (which causes skin to become itchy, dry, cracked and sore), being around dust mites may worsen your symptoms.
• Sensitive airways: Constant exposure to dust mites may make your nose and lungs very sensitive and make you feel worse around irritants like cigarette smoke, air pollution or dry air in heated rooms.

How to manage a dust mite allergy

So now we know what dust mite allergies are and why they happen, what can you do to manage and help prevent them?

Fortunately, there are a number of effective ways to not only manage your symptoms when they appear but also minimise your potential exposure to these pesky, microscopic creatures. 

Reduce your dust mite exposure 

One of the most obvious ways to reduce your likelihood of experiencing a dust mite allergy is by trying to avoid coming into contact with them.

But this can often be a lot easier said than done, as dust mites can live pretty much anywhere that you choose to spend your time – from your home to your school to your workplace!

There are, however, several things you can do in and around your home to reduce your level of exposure.

Buy the right bedding

Using allergen-proof barrier covers made from fine woven fabrics on all your mattresses, duvets and pillows can help to contain and prevent the escape of dust mite allergens.

Wash your bedding correctly

Since dust mites are commonly found living in mattresses, pillows and bed covers, regularly washing your bedding on a hot cycle (60 degrees or above) can help remove debris from mites and reduce their numbers.

To go one step further, using a tumble dryer can also kill virtually all the dust mites that live in your bedding.

Lower your home’s humidity

Dust mites rely on having moisture in the air to grow and reproduce. Using a dehumidifier to maintain your home’s humidity at between 45% and 50% can help you remove moisture from the air and potentially reduce dust mite numbers.

Use a high-filtration vacuum cleaner

Choosing a vacuum cleaner with a high-efficiency particulate air ( HEPA ) filter can allow you to remove particles as small as 0.1 μm.

While this may not remove live mites from carpets (dust mites have specially designed foot pads that allow them to hold on to any surface), vacuuming with a HEPA-filtered vacuum has been shown to significantly decrease the presence of dust mite allergens.

Avoid carpets 

Carpets can trap moisture and allow dust mites to thrive, and even with a HEPA-filtered vacuum, it’s impossible to remove all dust mite allergens from a carpet.

So, to try and limit their numbers, remove any carpeted areas in and around your home, paying close attention to the bedroom in particular.

Look after your pets

Since dust mites feed on flakes of dead skin shed by people and pets, you should aim to wash your pets at least once every two weeks and groom them outside regularly.

However, if you have a particular pet or breed that can't be washed this regularly, talk to your vet about how to best manage their grooming schedule.

Try to regularly wash any bedding your pets have, clean any furniture they’ve been on and, as cute as they may be, avoid letting them into your bedroom.

Clean, dust and clean again

Dust mites live in dust so it goes without saying really that, if you remove dust from your home, you’ll naturally reduce your exposure.

With this in mind, make sure to damp-wipe (not dry wipe) all of your home, car and office surfaces every week, focusing on any areas where dust may accumulate such as windowsills, behind chairs and on the tops of cupboards. But remember that, no matter how clean your home is, dust mites can never be completely eliminated.

How to treat a dust mite allergy

As well as making the various changes listed above, you can treat the symptoms of allergic rhinitis (brought on by a dust mite allergy) using certain over-the-counter medications. These will generally include medicines like:

• Antihistamines – to block the effect of histamine
• Decongestant nasal sprays or drops – to unblock your nose 
• Saltwater nasal sprays or solutions – to rinse out the inside of your nose
• Inhaled steroids (also called corticosteroids) – to reduce allergy symptoms

Available from your local pharmacy and without needing to see your GP, these medicines come in a variety of forms and can target allergy symptoms brought on by a number of different allergens, including dust.

Clarityn® Allergy Tablets, for example, is a form of antihistamine that can provide 24-hour allergy relief from symptoms caused by over 150 airborne allergens.

Meanwhile, Clarinaze® Allergy Control Nasal Spray is designed to relieve the nasal symptoms associated with allergic rhinitis, including nasal congestion, sneezing and a runny nose.

However, if you find that taking these types of treatments isn’t helping to ease your symptoms or that they’re getting worse, speak to your GP. They may need to prescribe you a different type of medicine or, if your symptoms are severe or have no clear cause, refer you to a specialist for further tests and treatment.

For more ideas on how to manage your allergies, take a look at our dedicated post packed full of helpful hints and tips for allergies.