How to Get Rid of a House Dust Allergy?

How to Manage House Dust Allergy: A Detailed Guide

House dust allergy is an immune system response, primarily to dust mites. These microscopic creatures thrive in warm, humid environments and are commonly found in beds, carpets, curtains, upholstery, and within wool or feathered items. Symptoms of house dust allergy can include a runny nose, itchy nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, watery eyes, itchy eyes, redness, coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.

So, what can you do to reduce or even eliminate house dust allergy symptoms? Here are some effective methods:

1. Make Your Living Space Allergy-Friendly

You can significantly reduce allergy triggers at home by taking certain precautions.

a. Bedroom Precautions

Use Allergen-Proof Covers: Opt for special anti-allergy covers for your pillows, duvets, and mattresses.
Wash Bedding Frequently: Washing sheets at least once a week at 60°C (140°F) helps eliminate mites.
Regularly Replace Mattresses and Pillows: Change pillows every 2-3 years and mattresses every 5-7 years.
Avoid Wool and Feather Bedding: Do not use wool mattresses, wool pillows, wool duvets, or feather/down pillows and duvets. Choose cotton or synthetic alternatives instead.
Remove Plush Toys and Excess Textiles: If there are plush toys in a child's room, wash them weekly or freeze them for 24 hours.
Store Items in Closed Cabinets: Keep items that can collect dust, like books and laundry, in closed cabinets rather than out in the open in your child's room. Ensure cleaning is done when the allergic person is not in the environment.

b. Minimize Carpets and Curtains

Eliminate Carpets and Rugs: Carpets are perfect havens for dust mites. If possible, opt for a home with no carpets or very few. Alternatively, use thin rugs that don't trap dust easily. Choose
Simple, Washable Curtains: Instead of thick fabric curtains, use roller blinds or washable, thin curtains that won't collect dust.

c. Control Humidity and Temperature at Home

Maintain Humidity Between 40-50%: Humidity speeds up mite reproduction. You can use dehumidifiers to lower the humidity level.
Ventilate Your Home Frequently: Open windows daily for at least 15-20 minutes to allow fresh air in.
Keep Temperature Between 18-22°C (64-72°F): Mites love warm environments. Control your indoor temperature to prevent excessive heat.
Avoid Things That Increase Humidity: Steer clear of drying laundry indoors, using steam-producing devices, or placing wet cloths or water containers on radiators.
Minimize Bathroom Exposure: The bathroom is the most humid part of your home. Keep the time spent there short for anyone with allergies (yourself or your child). If there's any liquid leak anywhere in the house, get it repaired.

2. Establish a Proper Cleaning Routine

a. Use a HEPA Filter Vacuum Cleaner

While regular vacuum cleaners stir up dust, HEPA filter vacuums trap dust, preventing its re-release into the air. Vacuuming should be done at least twice a week.

b. Dusting Techniques

Use a Damp Cloth or Microfiber Cloth: A dry cloth just spreads dust around, but a damp cloth effectively captures dust mites. Start Dusting from High Points: This way, as dust settles downwards, you won't have to clean the same areas twice.

c. Clean Air Conditioning and Ventilation Systems

If your home has an air conditioning or central ventilation system, regularly clean its filters and use HEPA filters.

3. Strengthen the Immune System

a. Eliminate Smoking from Your Life

Keep your child and yourself away from environments where smoking occurs. You should not smoke anywhere in your home (by the window, in the bedroom, under the range hood in the kitchen, in the toilet, on the balcony).

b. Proper Nutrition

Increase Omega-3 Sources: Foods like fish, walnuts, and flaxseeds can help reduce inflammation. Consume Probiotics: Yogurt, kefir, and naturally fermented foods strengthen the immune system. Eat Antioxidant-Rich Fruits and Vegetables: Vitamin C-rich fruits and vegetables (oranges, kiwis, peppers) support the immune system.

c. Natural Supplements

Honey: Regular consumption of local honey, especially during illnesses accompanied by coughing, reduces cough-related throat irritation and facilitates the post-illness regeneration of throat and larynx tissue. Ginger and Turmeric: With their anti-inflammatory properties, they strengthen the immune system and are powerful antioxidants. Patients with allergic rhinitis or asthma are prone to respiratory infections. Consuming ginger and turmeric in meals can help them recover from respiratory infections quickly and easily.

d. General Precautions

Keep individuals with dust mite allergies (yourself or your child) away from indoor irritants (dust, insect sprays, perfumes/deodorants, hairspray, paint/plaster) and outdoor irritants (exhaust fumes, polluted air, smoke). During periods of high air pollution and excessively windy (stormy) weather, keep your child indoors as much as possible. If someone living in the same house has the flu, wash your hands frequently and ventilate your home regularly. If your child has allergic rhinitis or asthma due to dust mites, do not prevent them from playing sports and games because of their condition. One of the most important goals of your child's treatment is to improve their quality of life, allowing them to play sports and games comfortably.

4. Allergy Treatment Options

a. Antihistamine Medications

Antihistamine medications can be used under a doctor's recommendation to alleviate allergic reactions. They are effective against nasal itching and sneezing caused by dust mite allergic rhinitis. They also relieve eye itching and redness that occur with allergic conjunctivitis.

b. Nasal Sprays and Eye Drops

Corticosteroid-containing nasal sprays and eye drops can be effective for allergic rhinitis and watery eyes. Corticosteroid nasal sprays are the most effective medication for nasal congestion. When applied intranasally, they also impact eye symptoms.

c. Allergy Shots (Immunotherapy)

If your allergy to dust mites is very severe, your doctor might suggest dust mite-specific immunotherapy (allergy shots). This treatment involves the regular administration of vaccines containing low doses of the allergen to make the body more resistant to the allergen. This treatment typically lasts for at least three years. Allergy shots have been shown to prevent the development of asthma and new sensitizations in patients with allergic rhinitis.

In Summary: How to Manage Dust Mite Allergy

Completely eliminating a dust mite allergy can be challenging, but by implementing the measures outlined above, you can significantly reduce symptoms. Preventing dust mites from thriving in your home, changing your cleaning habits, and strengthening your immune system will provide significant long-term benefits. If your symptoms are severe, you should consult an allergy specialist to discuss appropriate treatment options.