Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
Dust mites are microscopic creatures that live in household items like bedding and carpets. Although these pests do not bite or sting, they can cause a bumpy rash that looks like bites in people who are allergic to them. Dust mites can also trigger the symptoms ofallergic rhinitis(hay fever) orasthma, includingwheezingandshortness of breath.
This article describes the symptoms of a dust mite allergy, including how the condition is diagnosed and treated. It also offers tips on how to get rid of dust mites.
Laura Porter / Verywell
Where Do Dust Mites Come From?
Dust mites are a microscopic, eight-legged insect belonging to theDermatophagoidesfamily. They tend to live indoors, feeding on pet dander and dead human skin that accumulate on mattresses, carpets, and upholstered furniture.
When these items are disturbed, decomposed dust mites and dried waste products can become airborne and be inhaled. While these substances are not toxic, they can act as anallergen(an allergy-causing substance).
When an allergy occurs, the body releases an antibody calledimmunoglobulin E (IgE)that sets off a chain reaction, causing immune cells to break open and release an inflammatory chemical calledhistamineinto the bloodstream.
Histamine, in turn, triggers the rapid dilation (widening) of blood vessels, causing fluids to leak into surrounding tissues. In the skin, this can cause rash and itchiness. In the respiratory tract, this can cause symptoms of hay fever or asthma.
Symptoms of Dust Mite Allergy
Symptoms of a dust mite allergy can range from mild to severe, with some people experiencing a skin reaction or breathing problems (or both). The allergies are rarely life-threatening.
Possible symptoms of dust mite allergy include:
The skin reaction is often described as “dust mite bites,” even though the insects don’t actually bite. More often, the appearance is due to the scratching and bleeding of the bumpy rash.
Can Humans Get Ear Mites From a Pet?
Diagnosing Dust Mite Allergy
Dust mite allergies are diagnosed with a review of your medical history, a physical exam, and allergy testing.
As part of the medical review, your healthcare provider will want to know your personal and family history of allergy or asthma and when the reactions commonly occur.
The physical exam will involve an evaluation of yourbreathing soundsand an examination of your nose, throat, and upper airways. If symptoms are especially severe, the healthcare provider may performpulmonary function tests (PFTs)to check for reduced airflow characteristic of asthma.
Achest X-raymay also be ordered to rule out other possible causes of your symptoms.
Allergy Testing
Based on the severity and timing of your symptoms, your healthcare provider may refer you to anallergistfor allergy testing.
Allergy testing typically involves askin prick testin which tiny amounts of different allergens are inserted beneath the skin to see if a reaction occurs. Dust mites are one of the allergens commonly included in the test.
A specialized blood test called aRAST testcan also be performed to detect IgE antibodies specific to dust mites.
Differential Diagnosis
It can be difficult to distinguish between dust mite allergies and conditions likemold allergies,bed bugs,scabies, andchiggerbites that cause many of the same symptoms.
Certain symptoms and characteristics can help differentiate the conditions and lead you to the correct diagnosis.
Treating Dust Mite Bites
Managing a dust mite allergy starts with the avoidance of dust mites. This includes cleaning places where dust mites inhabit, such as sofas, beddings, or pillows.
A dust mite allergy can be treated with over-the-counter (OTC) medications and remedies as well as prescription drugs like:
Can Allergy Shots Help?
Getting Rid of Dust Mites
There are several things you can do at home to eliminate or reduce your exposure to dust mites:
Summary
Dust mites do not cause bites, but they can cause an allergic skin reaction that looks like a bite. Dust mite allergies can also cause respiratory symptoms like sneezing, coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
Dust mite allergies can be diagnosed with allergy tests. The treatment primarily involves the avoidance of dust mites. Symptoms can be managed with antihistamines, hydrocortisone cream, antihistamine or decongestant nasal sprays, and inhaled steroids or bronchodilators.
Allergy shots can help desensitize you to dust mites and reduce your risk of severe attacks.
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Illinois Department of Public Health.Mites affecting humans.American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.Dust allergies.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Dust mite allergy.Boberg E, Johansson K, Malmhäll C, Weidner J, Rådinger M.House dust mite induces bone marrow IL-33-responsive ILC2s and TH cells.Int J Mol Sci. 2020;21(11):E3751. doi:10.3390/ijms21113751Weitzel T, Makepeace BL, Elliott I, Chaisiri K, Richards AL, Newton PN.Marginalized mites: neglected vectors of neglected diseases.PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2020 Jul 23;14(7):e0008297. doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0008297Atta AH, Amer RM, Mesbah AE, Khater MW.Sublingual versus subcutaneous immunotherapy as regards efficacy and safety in respiratory allergic patients.Egypt J Immunol. 2019;26(2):65-78.Cloutier MM, Baptist AP, Blake KV, et al.2020 focused updates to the asthma management guidelines: A report from the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program coordinating committee expert panel working group.Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2020;146(6):1217-1270. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2020.10.003
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Illinois Department of Public Health.Mites affecting humans.American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.Dust allergies.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Dust mite allergy.Boberg E, Johansson K, Malmhäll C, Weidner J, Rådinger M.House dust mite induces bone marrow IL-33-responsive ILC2s and TH cells.Int J Mol Sci. 2020;21(11):E3751. doi:10.3390/ijms21113751Weitzel T, Makepeace BL, Elliott I, Chaisiri K, Richards AL, Newton PN.Marginalized mites: neglected vectors of neglected diseases.PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2020 Jul 23;14(7):e0008297. doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0008297Atta AH, Amer RM, Mesbah AE, Khater MW.Sublingual versus subcutaneous immunotherapy as regards efficacy and safety in respiratory allergic patients.Egypt J Immunol. 2019;26(2):65-78.Cloutier MM, Baptist AP, Blake KV, et al.2020 focused updates to the asthma management guidelines: A report from the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program coordinating committee expert panel working group.Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2020;146(6):1217-1270. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2020.10.003
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Illinois Department of Public Health.Mites affecting humans.American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.Dust allergies.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Dust mite allergy.Boberg E, Johansson K, Malmhäll C, Weidner J, Rådinger M.House dust mite induces bone marrow IL-33-responsive ILC2s and TH cells.Int J Mol Sci. 2020;21(11):E3751. doi:10.3390/ijms21113751Weitzel T, Makepeace BL, Elliott I, Chaisiri K, Richards AL, Newton PN.Marginalized mites: neglected vectors of neglected diseases.PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2020 Jul 23;14(7):e0008297. doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0008297Atta AH, Amer RM, Mesbah AE, Khater MW.Sublingual versus subcutaneous immunotherapy as regards efficacy and safety in respiratory allergic patients.Egypt J Immunol. 2019;26(2):65-78.Cloutier MM, Baptist AP, Blake KV, et al.2020 focused updates to the asthma management guidelines: A report from the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program coordinating committee expert panel working group.Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2020;146(6):1217-1270. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2020.10.003
Illinois Department of Public Health.Mites affecting humans.
American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.Dust allergies.
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Dust mite allergy.
Boberg E, Johansson K, Malmhäll C, Weidner J, Rådinger M.House dust mite induces bone marrow IL-33-responsive ILC2s and TH cells.Int J Mol Sci. 2020;21(11):E3751. doi:10.3390/ijms21113751
Weitzel T, Makepeace BL, Elliott I, Chaisiri K, Richards AL, Newton PN.Marginalized mites: neglected vectors of neglected diseases.PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2020 Jul 23;14(7):e0008297. doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0008297
Atta AH, Amer RM, Mesbah AE, Khater MW.Sublingual versus subcutaneous immunotherapy as regards efficacy and safety in respiratory allergic patients.Egypt J Immunol. 2019;26(2):65-78.
Cloutier MM, Baptist AP, Blake KV, et al.2020 focused updates to the asthma management guidelines: A report from the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program coordinating committee expert panel working group.Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2020;146(6):1217-1270. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2020.10.003
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