Allergy is a reaction of the immune system to normally harmless substances from the environment. These substances which can cause this reaction are called allergens. Common allergens are dust mites, pollen, food and pets.

Dust mite

Dust mite is a spider-like animal which is too small to see with your eyes alone. The dust mites feed on the tiny flakes of human skin. They like warm and humid spaces e.g. mattresses and floor rugs. The allergy symptoms to dust mite is caused by a reaction to their faeces. Good sanitation can reduce the amount of dust mite in the house, but it’s impossible to get rid of it completely.

Symptoms dust mite allergy

• Rhino- sinusitis ( stuffy nose, runny nose)
• Allergic asthma (coughing, wheezing , short of breath and chest tightness)
• Sneezing
• Itchy or watery eyes
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Insomnia

Treatment dust mite

Well known treatment of dust mite allergy are sanitation of the house and medical treatment. The medical treatment can be symptom relieve medication (antihistamines, corticosteroids and decongestants) or immunotherapy.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a treatment method where extracts of dust mite allergens in small quantities are administered during 3-5 years. The body can get used to the allergen where after the immune system will react less or not at all. This means that the symptoms of allergy will decrease or disappear after the treatment. Immunotherapy used to be only available in subcutaneous injections, but since a short while it is also available as a pill.

From May/June patients from the age of 12 years with a known dust mite allergy can pay us a visit for the sublingual immunotherapy. The coverage via the insurance will be available from September 2017. For patients with international insurance the coverage is already possible.
(Bron: https://www.allesoverallergie.nl/)