An allergy is a response of the body’s immune system to certain specific substances called allergens, which it cannot tolerate. An allergen can be some food item, pollens, some drugs or stings.

Certain elements in the house can also cause allergy. These include molds, pet dander, cockroach waste, food particles, and bacteria. Dust mites are the tiny creatures (not visible to the naked eyes) that are present in our house dust (in pillows, mattress, carpets, stuff toys etc). They are the most common cause of allergies worldwide. If dust mites are inhaled or come in contact with the skin they might cause dust allergy.
Various symptoms of dust allergy are continuous sneezing, running nose, itchy eyes and throat, sinus pain, nasal congestion or even ear pain. In severe cases person can even develop asthma.

You must immediately consult a doctor (allergist / immunologist) on having any of the above symptoms of dust allergy. Some tests and certain enquiries about the environment of your home and office, your eating habits, your family history etc. hold importance in such case takings.

An allergic person should reduce exposure to allergens. Total control of dust mites is not possible but some steps can be taken to reduce them.

Keep your bedroom clean and keep the pillows and mattress in dust free covers. Also, change the bed sheets daily and wash the blankets every week. Remove carpet from your room. Keep the moisture level low and decrease humidity levels by using air conditioners.

Medications are not effective in severe cases. Immunotherapy injections or allergy shots can improve the allergy and also reduce the risk of developing new allergies. If children are given allergy shots soon after the appearance of first symptom, it actually reduces the risk to other allergens and also reduces the risk of having asthma