The correct and most effective treatment for house dust mite allergies: Avoid contact with allergens

The most crucial step in preventing allergic reactions is to avoid contact with the allergy triggers — the proteins in mite feces, eggs, and remains of dead mites. Your primary aim should be to reduce house dust mites as much as possible, especially in your bed, because this is where the allergen accumulation is particularly high. Replacing old mattresses, and washing all other parts of your bedding with hot water at least every 2 weeks are commonly recommended steps for dust mite allergy sufferers.

Asthma

Dust mite allergy sufferers are at risk of developing allergic asthma

If the symptoms of a dust mite allergy are not taken seriously and are not treated in time, the allergic reaction can spread from the upper to the lower airways. The disease can progress to the bronchi, and eventually lead to chronic bronchial asthma. If a house dust mite allergy is not diagnosed or treated correctly, this progression takes place within five to eight years in approximately 20% to 50% of allergy sufferers.

Asthma is not curable and often means life-long treatment with maintenance and rescue medication, and the need to exercise and learn breathing techniques. Quality of life can be significantly reduced.

To prevent allergic asthma from developing, it is important to take any dust mite allergy symptoms seriously and to treat them as soon as possible. The less the allergy sufferer comes into contact with the allergens triggering the symptoms, the less the immune system and airways will get irritated.

Exposure to dust mite allergens is something you can prevent! If you protect yourself from inhaling dust mite allergens – especially during the night – you can dramatically reduce your risk of developing dust mite triggered allergic asthma.

Good to know

Representing approximately 80% of all cases, allergy-induced asthma is the most common of all asthma diseases.

Allergo® encasings keep you from inhaling mite allergens during the night and are ideal for treating dust mite allergies and preventing allergic asthma from developing.

Shellfish

There’s a link between shellfish allergy and house dust mite allergy

Crustaceans such as crabs, shrimps, scampi, prawns, crayfish, and lobster are one of the major triggers of food allergies in adults in the United States. A shellfish allergy is also one of the most dangerous allergies, sending more people to emergency rooms than any other food allergy. The protein tropomyosin – which can be found in the muscle tissue of shellfish – is a potent allergen. In some cases, even inhaling the cooking vapors can cause an allergic reaction. Allergic symptoms usually start about 30 minutes after eating and can include

• Stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting
• Swelling and itching of the mouth and throat
• Skin reactions, such as redness, rash, and itching
• Allergic rhinitis, runny nose
• Red and watery eyes
• In extreme cases, tightness in the chest, and shortness of breath

The protein tropomyosin is a so-called pan-allergen in invertebrates. A shellfish allergy therefore often causes cross-reactions, which means people with shellfish allergy are likely to also be allergic to other invertebrates, such as mollusks (like clams and squid) and house dust mites. An allergy to shellfish can extend to mites and, vice versa, an existing mite allergy can lead to a shellfish allergy.

Dust mites are a primary sensitizer for developing a shellfish allergy!

That means, people who do not have a shellfish allergy can get sensitized by exposure to dust mite allergens and then later develop a much more serious shellfish allergy. Avoiding exposure to dust mite allergens with allergo® mattress and bedding encasings is a useful precaution for all people who like eating shellfish on a regular basis.

Eczema sufferers should avoid exposure to dust mite allergens

House dust mite allergens – particularly in mattresses, pillows, and duvets – irritate your child’s skin during the night. The skin reacts with inflammation and itching. If contact with the mite allergens can’t be avoided, new eczema flare-ups are triggered and the condition of the skin deteriorates.

Allergo® encasing and no-scratch pajamas effectively break the itch-scratch cycle

Kids with eczema suffer from a repeating itch-scratch cycle: The skin is inflamed and itchy. Scratching alleviates the symptoms temporarily, but damages the stressed skin even more, which results in more itching. Children can hardly get any rest, especially at night.

Allergo® encasings create an effective barrier against house dust mite allergens – and are also available in kids’ bedding sizes.

The high-quality allergo® no-scratch pajamas are made from pure, light cotton fabric and are closed at the hands and feet to protect your child from night-time scratching attacks. All seams are on the outside and do not irritate the skin. The damaged skin can heal more effectively. The allergo® no-scratch pajamas are available in different colors and designs for boys and girls, and kids like wearing them.

Good to know

• Eczema or atopic dermatitis is one of the most common chronic skin diseases in children.
• Typical symptoms are red, dry, and inflamed areas of skin, and excruciating itching. Eczema affects your child significantly.
• Mite allergens can trigger eczema flare-ups.
• Allergo® encasings and no-scratch pajamas effectively protect your child’s health. They can also reduce medicine use and associated costs.

Things to know about dust mite allergy