Introduction
A mite allergy, also known as house dust allergy, is when a person is allergic to the excretions of mites living in mattresses. All symptoms typical of an allergy can be triggered, although the type of symptoms and the extent of the allergy can be different for each person. The most common are symptoms of the respiratory tract such as sneezing and rhinitis. It is estimated that one in six people in Germany is affected by a mite allergy, although the symptoms often cannot be attributed to the trigger. In contrast to many other forms of allergy, mite allergy can cause symptoms all year round.
Typical symptoms
A mite allergy can cause a variety of different symptoms in individually different constellations and degrees. The most common are often violent sneezing attacks, which occur especially in the morning after getting up and during housework. In addition, many mite allergy sufferers suffer from a permanently congested or runny nose as well as a limited ability to smell.
In addition, an inflammatory reaction on the conjunctiva (conjunctivitis) can occur, which is manifested by itching and watery eyes. In some cases, the allergy causes asthma, which leads to a temporary narrowing of the airways. The symptoms are then mainly shortness of breath and coughing.
In most cases the symptoms develop rather insidiously and can easily be mistaken for a viral infection or a banal “cold”. A skin rash can basically be triggered by any form of allergy, including the mite allergy. However, respiratory symptoms such as sneezing or rhinitis are more common.
If a rash occurs, it can take the form of hives. This causes red itchy wheals on the body which disappear within a day but can reappear in other parts of the body. Bronchial asthma is a common respiratory disease in which a variable, often seizure-like narrowing of the airways occurs.
In many cases, asthma develops as a result of an allergy. Therefore, even a mite allergy can ultimately lead to the development of asthma. The symptoms are mainly shortness of breath and coughing.
If the doctor has diagnosed allergic asthma with the corresponding symptoms, treatment with one or more asthma sprays should be given, depending on the severity of the symptoms. It is also important to avoid the triggering allergen as much as possible by taking general measures, since a severe asthma attack without medication can even be life-threatening. Coughing can occur as a symptom of a mite allergy, especially if an allergic bronchial asthma exists.
However, if the symptoms have only existed for a short time, coughing can also indicate that it is not a mite allergy but a simple cold. Coughing over a period of three weeks is harmless and not uncommon. If a cough persists for a longer period of time, a medical examination should clarify whether an allergy or possibly another cause for the symptom is present.
Cold and a runny nose are very common complaints for which there are two main causes. On the one hand, they can be the typical symptoms of a mite allergy or another allergy. The symptoms usually persist for months or even continuously, although the intensity usually varies.
However, the most common cause of a cold and a runny nose is a viral infection that leads to a cold. This can lead to other symptoms such as coughing, fatigue and increased body temperature. In contrast to an allergy, the symptoms of an infection usually subside within a week.
In the case of newly developed symptoms such as a cold and a runny nose, it is therefore advisable to wait until the symptoms have resolved. However, if these persist for weeks, testing for a mite allergy may be indicated. Headache is a very common non-specific symptom that can have a variety of possible causes.
In the case of a mite allergy, for example, blocked sinuses can cause pressure pain in the head. However, other complaints such as rhinitis also occur. If the headache is the only symptom, a mite allergy is extremely unlikely to be the trigger and more likely causes should be considered first.
Only rarely, however, is the symptom based on a treatable disease. Itchy and watery eyes are a symptom from which many allergy sufferers suffer.Also in the case of mite allergy, an inflammatory reaction can occur on the conjunctiva, which is called conjunctivitis. Both eyes are usually affected.
Usually there are further allergy symptoms such as rhinitis and sneezing irritation. If only the eyes are affected, an infection by viruses and bacteria may also be present. In case of doubt, the general practitioner should be consulted in case of newly occurring itching and watery eyes. This topic might also be of interest to you: Itchy eyes
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