House dust mite allergy

• House dust mites are tiny creatures, about a quarter of a millimetre long. 
• They live off human skin scales which have been partially digested by moulds and thrive in humid environments.
•  Mites are found in bedding, carpets, soft furnishings and clothing.

• In people allergic to dust mite, it is often not the mite itself but proteins in their droppings which cause the allergy. 

• Each mite produces about 20 of these waste droppings every day and the droppings continue to cause allergic symptoms even after the mite has died.

• Asthma
• Eczema 
• Allergic rhinitis 

• Clinical history 
• Blood test for specific IGE antibodies to dust mite 
• Skin prick testing 

• Measures to avoid house dust mite will lower, but do not totally remove, dust mite allergens. 

• Often, this will be sufficient to significantly improve symptoms, but sometimes, the reduction may simply not be enough to result in a noticeable difference 

• Medication for severe dust mite allergy in children over 12 years 

Optimised final draft guidance published 30 Jan 2025 recommends 12 SQ-HDM SLIT, also known as Acarizax and made by ALK-Abello, as an option for treating persistent moderate to severe house dust mite allergic rhinitis in people between 12 and 65-years-old.