Latin: Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae
When a person notices that they are developing a dust allergy, they are most often developing an allergy to these microscopic animals. House dust mites cannot be seen with the naked eye, but they can still cause a lot of trouble for some people. Dust allergy occurs, as most people know, to varying degrees, but the symptoms can be reduced by taking some precautions.
Allergy to house dust mites is not uncommon, but fortunately there is much one can do that will prevent symptoms and reduce the symptoms of allergy to house dust mites. It should be noted that house dust mites as such are not dangerous to humans unless one develops house dust mite allergy.
Appearance
A house dust mite is an exceedingly small, whitish animal. House dust mites will be no more than 0.3 mm long, so you will not be able to see them with the naked eye. It can even be difficult to see them under a microscope. However, house dust mites are found in several different species, for which there is a relatively large biological difference. In Denmark and most of the western world, there are two species of house dust mites that occur most often.
These two species are the European house dust mite called dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, and the American house dust mite called dermatophagoides farinae. However, they are most often referred to as European and American house dust mites. When it comes to their effect on allergy sufferers, however, there is not much difference and one can just as well exercise proper prevention in general instead of trying to focus on just one species.
Biology and behavior
House dust mites are found mainly on human skin. House dust mites, in short, live off dead skin. They can eat both human and animal skin scales, so they are not considered picky. House dust mites do not eat your skin in such a way that it can be felt, and they can therefore be considered relatively harmless to humans and animals. If you have noticed bite marks or similar irritation on the skin, it is not due to house dust mites. There is only one real danger of house dust mites, and that is house dust mite allergy, which some people unfortunately develop over the course of their lives.
Damage
When it comes to allergies and animals, there can be different reasons why a person experiences an allergic reaction. As house dust mites are an animal species, it is also possible to develop allergies, but the actual reaction is fortunately easy to find in relation to allergies to, for instance, cats. When you experience an allergic reaction to house dust mites, it is because you react to the excrement of the mites.
Prevention and pest control
Symptoms of house dust mite allergy can be reduced by keeping a dry indoor climate throughout the home, as house dust mites feel extremely well in humid indoor climates. Likewise, one can prevent symptoms of house dust mite allergy by cleaning regularly. It is recommended by astma-allergi.dk that you do a thorough cleaning every week, because it makes it harder for house dust mites to find food in your home. Likewise, one should wash his bedding at 60 degrees every other week and dry it in the dryer. This reduces the symptoms of house dust mite allergy. It should also be noted that one does not necessarily have house dust mite allergy simply because one has an unpleasant reaction to dust alone. Dust alone can irritate the airways, whether you are allergic or not, as there are several different types of dust particles that irritate the throat if the concentration is high. Always consult your own doctor if you suspect that you are developing an allergy to house dust mites.
Further information on house dust mites and advice on prevention and control can be found on the Asthma and Allergy Association’s website: www.astma-allergi.dk
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