The infamous dust mite
Posted on | November 3, 2011 | No Comments
Dust mites are infamous for their role in causing allergic reactions to bedding starting in childhood. Feeding on human skin the household bed is a perfect habitat, one which is quickly colonized usually with no ill effects. But when an immune system comes to recognize the dander we all come into contact with as hostile antigen, violent and harmful allergic immune responses follow making your bed, which should be a place of peace and restfulness, into enemy territory. Fortunately, by buying a hypoallergenic allergy mattress pad it is entirely possible to limit the severity of the allergies by simply separating the allergen from the sleeper.
Telling whether or not you have an allergy to dust mites is made decidedly more difficult if you have pets, as being allergic to dust mites looks and feels exactly the same as being allergic to the dander of cats or dogs. If a doctor suspects dust mite allergies he or she will recommend you for allergy skin tests.
During these tests tiny drops of concentrated allergens are poked in a grid pattern into your skin. If you are allergic it should only take about fifteen minutes for the skin to bump up and form a red, itchy, irritated spot (a local allergic reaction in progress).
If it turns out you are allergic it isn’t the end of the world or anything close to it. Millions suffer from mite allergies and millions more from pollen or dust. For treatment it is entirely possible to simply purchase a hypoallergenic mattress (if you need a new one anyway) or a mattress pad designed to help with your allergies. In both cases the allergen will be removed from contact with your skin and life will go on as normal
