What Is a Dust Allergy?
A dust allergy (or dust mite allergy) is an allergic reaction to tiny bugs that live in the dust in your house.
About 20 million Americans are allergic to these bugs. When you’re one of these people, you may feel as if you have an endless cold or even asthma.
Dust mites are related to ticks and spiders. But they’re too small to see with the naked eye. They eat your dead skin cells in dust and in places like your bedding, furniture, and carpet.
Medication can help, and you can take simple steps to keep the dust mites away.
Dust Allergy Symptoms
Dust allergy symptoms are similar to those of pollen allergies:
- Red, itchy, watery eyes
- Itchy, runny, stuffy nose
- Sneezing
Dust Allergy Causes and Risk Factors
Allergies happen when your immune system reacts to something like pollen or, in this case, dust mites. When your immune system sees something as harmful, it causes inflammation.
That’s why allergies give you symptoms like sneezing and a runny nose, similar to what you might get if you had a cold. If symptoms get really severe or last a long time, they can lead to asthma.
You’re more likely to have a dust allergy if you:
- Have a family history of dust or other allergies
- Are exposed to lots of dust and dust mites
- Are a child or young adult
Dust Allergy Diagnosis
If your doctor thinks you might have a dust allergy, they will:
- Ask about your symptoms and exposure to dust
- Check inside your nose to see if it’s swollen or pale and bluish
- Give you an allergy skin test. Your doctor will prick your skin with a tiny needle with dust mite extract on it. If you’re allergic, your skin will get itchy and red.
- Give you a blood test to look for certain antibodies. This is more common if you can’t have a skin test or take certain medicines.
