8.1 Dust and Danders

Dust mites and animal proteins are an important source of allergenic material that is typically present year-round. Some patients are highly reactive to these substances. The most common dust mites are Dermatophagoides farinae (North America) and D. pteronyssinus (Europe). Cat and dog allergens may be a substantial source of allergic symptoms for pet owners and other exposed individuals.

Please see Chapter 5 for a review of the following topics:

• 
  

  Definition of antigen, allergen, and epitope.

  
  
• 
  

  Major versus minor allergens.

  
  
• 
  

  Allergen extract units, standardized versus nonstandardized allergen extracts.

  
  
• 
  

  Cross-reactivity.

8.2 Serious Stuff

8.2.2 Information About Dust Mites… Lay It On Me!

Dust mites are small (0.2–0.3 mm long) arachnids (eight-legged) (▶Fig. 8.1). Their diet includes shed human skin and fungi. Mite growth is augmented by elevated humidity. While multiple species of dust mite exist, the two most important specimens are D. farinae (predominates in North America) and D. pteronyssinus (predominates in Europe). The allergens created by dust mites are expressed in their feces, as well as their bodies. Environmental control measures aim to reduce favorable mite living conditions (humidity control) and barriers to prevent shed-skin (their food) transmission. However, it should be noted that while environmental control measures are routinely advocated in the allergy practice, the evidence of benefit is not as strong as for pharmacologic intervention or allergen immunotherapy. It often takes several different environmental control measures performed together to have an effect on allergic symptomatology related to house dust mites. As a single measure, acaricides tend to be the most beneficial.

Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel

Join