House dust mite allergy (HSM) – colloquially called house dust allergy – (synonyms: Mite allergy; ICD-10-GM Z91.0: Allergy, except allergy to medicines, drugs or biologically active substances, in self history) refers to the occurrence of allergic symptoms after contact with house dust mite (HDM). It is an allergy of the immediate type (type I allergy). The allergen is mainly found in the feces of the mites, which, after drying out, break down into small pieces that combine with the house dust.
The most common house dust mite species are Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae. They are the main allergen source in house dust and are among the most important allergen sources worldwide. The main reproduction period of house dust mites is from May to October. Seasonal accumulation of the disease: The house dust allergy has its annual peak at the beginning of the heating season at the end of the main multiplication period. This is due to the fact that the decrease in relative humidity that begins with the heating season causes the majority of mites to die. Furthermore, the excrement of mites in winter is stirred up by the heating air with the house dust.
The transmission of allergens is aerogenic (through the air).
Sex ratio: balanced.
The prevalence of house dust allergy is about 10% of the population.
Course and prognosis: A house dust mite allergy usually causes complaints throughout life. These can be effectively reduced by early diagnosis, exposure prophylaxis (avoidance of contact with the allergen, see “Further therapy“), and hyposensitization or desensitization (synonyms: specific immunotherapy, SIT).
