Super Fitness Health BlogThe Role Of The Dust Mite in Causing Allergy cases
The house dust mite (frequently defined by allergists as HDM) can be described as multicultural guest in human habitation. Dust mites are nourished by organic detritus which include flakes of shed human skin and flourish in the stable natural environment of dwellings.
House dustmites are a frequent reason for asthma and allergic symptoms worldwide. The mite’s gut contains a potent digestive enzyme (notably proteases) that persists in their faeces and is a major inducer of hypersensitivity in particular wheezing. The mites exoskeletons may perhaps also give rise to allergies.
The European house dust mite (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) together with the American house dust mite (Dermatophagoides farinae) are two separate species, but aren’t necessarily confined to Europe or North America; a third species Euroglyphus maynei also occurs commonly.
The house dust mite survives in most climates, even at high altitude. House dust mites thrive inside the indoor environment supplied by homes, specially in bedrooms and kitchens. Dustmites survive well in mattresses, carpets, furniture and bedding, with figures around 188 animals/g dust.
Even in dry climates, house dust mites survive and reproduce easily in bedding (specially in pillows), deriving moisture coming from the humidity generated by human respiring, sweat and saliva.
House dust mites consume minute particles of organic matter. Like every acari, house dust mites use a simple gut; they have got no stomach but alternatively diverticulae, which are sacs or pouches that divert from hollow organs. Like many decomposer animals, they prefer food which has been pre-decomposed by fungi.
Allergens generated by house dust mites are among the most common triggers of asthma. Researchers have shown the mean attributable fraction of adult asthma due to atopic sensitization was 30% and 18% for sensitization to dustmites. Taken into account this can mean up to 1.2 billion people could have a certain amount of chronic sensitization to dust mites.
It is widely believed that the accumulated detritus from dust mites can add considerably to the weight of mattresses and pillows. While it is true that the faecal matter of dust mites will increase after some time, there is no scientific evidence for these claims.
Allergy and asthma sufferers are also often advised to steer clear of feather pillows due to the presumed increased presence of the house dust mite allergen . The reverse, however, is true.
A 1996 study from the British Medical Journal has demonstrated that polyester fibre pillows contained more than 8 times the total weight of Der p I and 3.57 times more micrograms of Der p I per gram of fine dust than feather pillows.
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