POLLEN COUNT
Did you know that allergies are among the leading causes of chronic illness in the United States?
Two of the most notorious causes of airborne allergies and allergic asthma are dust and dust mites. According to statistics, approximately 20 million Americans are living with dust and dust mite allergies.
To clear up the confusion between these two allergens, dust consists of particles that can accumulate on practically any surface, be it beddings, tables, chairs, carpets, and all other objects. Dust mites, on the other hand, are minute arachnids (close relatives of spiders and ticks), and they live in beddings, pillowcases, pillows, mattresses, couches, and clothes.
Dust Allergy
People with dust allergies sneeze, cough, and get watery eyes or a runny nose when they are exposed to dust. Dust allergies tend to get worse when the person cleans the house through dusting, sweeping, and vacuuming.
If you have dust allergies, it helps to use a wet mop to clean to avoid stirring up the dust, keep your windows closed, and use an air conditioner and an air cleaner with a HEPA (stands for high-efficiency particulate air) filter.
Dust Mite Allergy
If you have a dust allergy, chances are, you are also allergic to dust mites. These creatures are invisible to the naked eye and feed on the components of dust, such as pet dander and the flakes of your own skin. They also proliferate in humid environments: they need moisture in order to survive.
The skin that you shed every day can feed a million dust mites. They burrow into beddings, carpets, furniture, and stuffed toys. Dust mites leave behind waste, which also causes an allergic reaction.
Allergic reactions to dust mites share similar symptoms like those of allergic rhinitis, asthma, and eczema: watery eyes, sneezing, and a stuffy nose; coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath; and itchy skin, respectively.
If you have dust mite allergies, your doctor will recommend that you do frequent cleaning with the use of heat (they die in extreme temperatures); changing of clothes, pillowcases, and bedsheets; using an allergen-proof cover on your mattress, and avoiding upholstered furniture and carpeting.
A dust and dust mite allergy can be very challenging to deal with without medical intervention, especially since you can only control the contributing factors found in your home—and not those in other places, such as your office, restaurants, or other homes.
Dust and Dust Mite Allergy Treatment in Oak Brook, IL
If your dust and dust mite allergies are becoming difficult to handle, our allergists at Oak Brook Allergists are here to help you take full control of them. We will get you on a customized treatment plan that includes allergy shots. We administer these shots in safe doses, increasingly, over a period of time, to help you not only relieve the symptoms but also get your body to build a tolerance to such allergens. Over time, your body will no longer trigger an immune response in the event that you get exposed to them.
If you want to learn more about how you or a loved one can benefit from allergy shots or if you are a candidate, schedule an appointment with one of our board-certified allergists by calling (630) 574-0460. You may also fill out our online request form.
