A Closer Look at Allergens

The Ugly Dust Mite

Since early this century, scientists have realized the correlation between dust and allergies. Surprisingly though, it wasn't until 1976 that researchers in the Netherlands were able to show that the major cause of IgE reactivity in dust sensitive people is the dust mite. The dust mite is a tiny arthropod that lives in household dust; researchers found that it was not the dust mite itself that triggered these responses but fragments of the dust mite feces. Dust mite feces is the size of a pollen grain and its allergens include several proteins, der P1, 2 and even 3.

Recent studies show that dust mite sensitivity shows up as early as infancy and in small children. The allergen has been linked to serious asthma attacks and a few deaths.

For the record, the dust mite is otherwise harmless, being sightless and wingless. The eight-legged creature is a member of the spider family and is visible only under a microscope. Its scientific name is Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus-in Latin this means skin eater. They live on the skin scales of people and other animals.

Dust mites cannot drink but absorb moisture through their leg joints from the air. They thrive in 70-degree weather and 50-55% humidity - much like humans!

Mites are especially numerous in mattresses, carpets, pillows, winter clothing and on household pets. One bed may have as many as 200 million mites and your dog or cat is a walking "free-feed" cafeteria for these 47 known species of mites. There are 11 species of mites that have been found on mattresses and in bedding, others prefer human skin scales and others gravitate towards dogs, cats and birds.

Dust Components

Dust is the primary allergy trigger, as it's all around and easily airborne. Besides rhinitis, dust components often aggravate asthma and eczema. A strong link seems to exist between dust mites and eczema. Many people say they are allergic to dust but more specifically they are allergic to some of the constituents of dust such as pollens, the feces of dust mites and insect parts to name a few.

Animal Dander

With pets becoming more popular every year, animal allergies are on the rise. Research shows that up to 20% of the North American population is allergic to animal dander primarily from cats and dogs. All animals, even birds, can cause allergies to flair due to potent allergens in their saliva or on their coats and feathers.

The best-studied animal allergen is from cats-one of the most allergy provoking animals. With 28% of households having at least one cat, these problems are also on the rise.