A house dust allergy is often misjudged

A bit of sniffling will go away by itself! This opinion about house dust allergies persists. The symptoms are particularly bad for many people in winter when the dry heating air stirs up more mite droppings. If you wait and see, you run the risk of the symptoms spreading to the bronchial tubes.

An allergy can turn into asthma

Coughing, chest tightness and wheezing are warning signs. Around a third of house dust allergy sufferers develop allergic asthma if nothing is done to prevent it. And this cannot be cured. Only sprays guarantee freedom from symptoms. But it doesn't have to come to that!

See a doctor if in doubt

If you go to the doctor in good time, tests can be carried out to establish beyond doubt whether or not you have an allergy. The prick test is most commonly used. Various solutions containing allergens are dripped onto the forearm and the skin reaction is observed. Redness or wheals in certain areas indicate an allergy to the test substance used there. A blood test can be used to determine whether a certain type of antibody is elevated in the blood, as is the case with allergies. In the provocation test, the doctor sprays an allergen extract containing house dust mite excrement into the nose. If the patient reacts by sneezing or if the mucous membranes in the throat swell, an allergy is present.

Medication and sprays can help

The doctor will then prescribe medication to block the allergy, known as antihistamines. Sometimes hyposensitization is also advised. This involves administering the allergen in increasing doses over a longer period of time. However, it is best to avoid the allergen altogether. In the case of house dust allergy, a special mite spray (Milbopax, pharmacy) ensures an allergen-free environment because it starves the mites.