House Dust and Dust Mite

Dust mite allergy is an allergy to a microscopic organism that lives in the dust found in all dwellings and workplaces. House dust, as well as some house furnishings, contains microscopic mites. Dust mites are perhaps the most common cause of perennial (year round) allergic rhinitis. House dust mite allergy usually produces symptoms similar to pollen allergy and also can produce symptoms of asthma.

House dust 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.


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 and materials such as:

• 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
• Other allergens peculiar to an individual house or building

Cockroaches are commonly found in crowded cities and in the southern United States and older homes and buildings. Certain proteins in cockroach feces and saliva also can be found in house dust. These proteins can cause allergic reactions or trigger asthma symptoms in some people, especially children. Cockroach allergens likely play a significant role in causing asthma in many inner-city populations.


This information was adapted from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases handouts on airborne allergens and food allergy.

Common Allergies

  • Pollen

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  • Mold

    There are thousands of types of molds and yeasts in the fungus family. Yeasts are single cells that divide to form clusters. Molds are made of many cells that grow… Read More

  • House Dust and Dust Mite

    Dust mite allergy is an allergy to a microscopic organism that lives in the dust found in all dwellings and workplaces. House dust, as well as some house furnishings, contains… Read More

  • Food

    Food allergy affects up to 6 to 8 percent of children under the age of three and 2 percent of adults. If you have an unpleasant reaction to something you… Read More

  • Animal

    Household pets are the most common source of allergic reactions to animals. Many people think that pet allergy is provoked by the fur of cats and dogs. Researchers have found,… Read More
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We can help you manage your allergies.

  • Allergy Diagnosis
  • Allergy Prevention
  • Allergy Treatment

People with allergy symptoms, such as the runny nose of allergic rhinitis, may at first suspect they have a cold, but the “cold” lingers on. Testing for allergies is the best way to find out if a person is allergic.

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Pollen and Molds

Complete avoidance of allergenic pollen or mold means moving to a place where the offending substance does not grow and where it is not present in the air. Even this extreme solution may offer only temporary relief

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Medicines

If you cannot adequately avoid airborne allergens, your symptoms can often be controlled by medicines. You can buy medicines without a prescription that can relieve allergy symptoms. If, however, they don’t give you relief or they cause unwanted side

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