Autumn, the season of dust mite allergy

During the change of seasons we run the risk of certain consequence of the change of temperature conditions and climatic factors. In the case of the arrival of autumn or spring mites reappear. Within these periods, the autumn months are the most affect allergy sufferers due to the proliferation of these tiny.

Incidence of allergy to mites

The main consequence of this allergy is the appearance of rhinitis, an inflammation of the nasal mucosa characterized by the following symptoms: nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing or itchy nose. Sometimes these symptoms can be accompanied with the feeling of breathlessness, chest tightness or wheezing, "wheezing" breathing, which specialists in Allergology call bronchial asthma.

Currently, the incidence of allergic rhinitis is increasing; It affects between 3 and 19% of the population. In general, the type that most often allergy to dust mites. Approximately 50% of rhinitis are allergic and emerge as our body immune reaction to allergens such as dust mites, pollens, animal dander or environmental fungi.

What are mites

Mites are microscopic spiders of the family of crustaceans ordinarily resident in house dust and feed on skin debris and hair of people and animals living in a home. Balearic Islands, mites are common primarily during the fall and spring and, to a lesser extent, in winter and in summer when their presence is lower.

The conditions of relatively high humidity and mild temperatures are most conducive to the growth of these beings it is why in the Balearic Islands and throughout the Mediterranean basin are the most important allergens. Given the structural similarity between dust mites and family seafood (shrimp, mussels, squid, cuttlefish, snail, etc.), some patients may suffer from a food allergy because of the intake of the latter and present pictures of oral pruritus or lingual, ie intense feeling tingling; urticaria and even wheezing. This happens especially in environments with fumes from cooking these foods

Treatment of mite allergy

If these symptoms treatment is based on three steps: prevention, treatment of symptoms and specific to each case.

In the first case, prevention and eliminate mites is achieved with proper cleaning of our environment: the vacuum cleaner used instead of sweeping, use a damp cloth to wipe dust, vacuum the mattress at least once a month and wash bed linen at 60. In addition, it is also advisable to keep the room temperature cool and dry, use mattresses and pillows acrylic material and avoid duvets and pillows or wool, carpets, rugs and stuffed animals.

In addition to following these recommendations, the treatment involves the use of antihistamines, eye drops and nasal aerosloes. If the patient has asthma inhalers are commonly used rescue nonhealing but relieve symptoms.It is also possible vaccination involves progressive and growing administration mite allergy causing and is the only curative treatment of disease.

Although currently there are various aids to ease the symptoms, it is recommended that in any event be seen by a specialist in Allergology who can advise on the best treatment appropriate to their needs.