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Something in the Air: Airborne
Allergens
Dust Mite Allergy
Dust mite allergy is an allergy to a microscopic organism that
lives in the dust that is found in all dwellings and workplaces.
Dust mites are perhaps the most common cause of perennial allergic
rhinitis. Dust mite allergy usually produces symptoms similar
to pollen allergy and also can produce symptoms of asthma.
What is house dust?
Rather than a single substance, so-called house dust is a varied
mixture of potentially allergenic materials. It may contain
fibers from different types of fabrics; cotton lint, feathers,
and other stuffing materials; dander from cats, dogs, and other
animals; bacteria; mold and fungus spores (especially in damp
areas); food particles; bits of plants and insects; and other
allergens peculiar to an individual home.
House dust also contains microscopic mites. These mites, which
live in bedding, upholstered furniture, and carpets, thrive
in summer and die in winter. In a warm, humid house, however,
they continue to thrive even in the coldest months. The particles
seen floating in a shaft of sunlight include dead dust mites
and their waste-products. These waste-products, which are proteins,
actually provoke the allergic reaction.
Waste products of cockroaches are also an important cause of
allergy symptoms from household allergens, particularly in some
urban areas of the United States.
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