House dust mite and pet allergies occur because of a reaction to tiny airborne particles within the home. Symptoms can include a runny or blocked nose, itchy, red or watering eyes and wheezing. If you have asthma, your asthma symptoms can also be made worse by these allergies. Regular use of medication can improve symptoms but avoidance of the cause can also be important, especially with pet allergies.Tiny particles found in the air inside the home that cause allergic symptoms are called aero-allergens. These particles can include the poo (faeces) of house dust mites, and animal saliva, skin and urine. (Mould spores are another type of aero-allergen present in some homes, especially those with damp problems.)Allergens are substances that cause an allergic response in certain sensitive people. They commonly cause problems with nasal, eye (ophthalmic) and breathing (respiratory) symptoms. These include inflammation of the nose (rhinitis), inflammation of the eyes (conjunctivitis) and wheezing.

They can aggravate conditions such as asthma.Aero-allergens rarely cause severe allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis. They are, however, some of the most common causes of allergies in general. See separate leaflet called Allergy - General Overview for more details.Treatments do help improve symptoms. Avoidance of these allergens (or at least a reduction in their number) is also important.Allergies to house dust mite and pets are common. Also, in some countries, particularly in the developed world, atopic diseases affect up to 1 in 3 of the population. (Atopic diseases include asthma, eczema and hay fever.) About 1 in 2 adults with asthma, and about 8 in 10 children with asthma, have an allergic component to their disease.Symptoms of house dust mite and pet allergies include:House dust mites are present in all homes in the UK. They are microscopic insects that live off human skin scales and form part of the dust in our homes. The climate and conditions inside our houses are ideal for their survival.

They prefer bedrooms - in particular, beds and bedding. This is:The allergen that triggers the immune system and causes allergic problems is found mainly in the poo (faeces) of the house dust mites. These droppings are very dry, they break up (fragment) easily and the fine particles disperse into the air. central air purifier costThe particles settle quickly into our pillows, mattresses, duvets, carpets and upholstery and are difficult to wipe out (eradicate). drive clean test burlingtonThis means it is difficult to remove the source of the problem and prevent the allergic symptoms.air purifier vs air condHouse dust mites are in all homes. It doesn't matter how clean and tidy you are. They affect homes regardless of lifestyle and income.

Improvements in the way homes are insulated, including double glazing, has reduced air circulation and ventilation. As a result, moisture in the air (humidity) in homes has increased. This has made our homes a good environment for house dust mites to thrive.Animal allergens are the second most common cause of allergic reactions. The allergens that trigger the allergic response are found in animal saliva, skin and urine. When animals groom themselves, they lick, and saliva coats the skin, fur or feathers. Skin cells covered in saliva are shed (this is called animal dander) along with loose hairs and fur.Even so-called hairless breeds of cats and dogs can cause problems. Additionally, pets can have flaky skin complaints, like eczema, and so can spread large amounts of dander.These allergen particles are microscopic, and so are easily airborne, and thus easily inhaled. This leads to typical respiratory symptoms, rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis.Pet cats are the most problematic animal in terms of allergen production, due to their behaviour of frequent grooming.

Dogs come second but any animal can be a cause of an allergic reaction. Parrots and other birds are another cause of allergic reactions to their feathers. In small animals, such as mice, gerbils and guinea pigs, it is the urine that is the most potent allergen. This means that the animal cage and bedding are heavily contaminated with allergen. When the urine dries, and the bedding is disturbed (either by animal movement or by cage cleaning), allergen is released into the air.Many people with pet allergy do not need any tests as the cause of the allergy is clear. Symptoms are worse in the home where the pet is. Symptoms improve when out of the home, especially for longer periods, such as on holiday. Some people with asthma are advised to avoid contact with pets if it makes their symptoms worse, or to try to reduce house dust mite if symptoms are severe or difficult to treat.If required, both house dust mite and pet allergy can be diagnosed with skin prick tests. This is usually done in a hospital by either an allergy specialist, an immunologist or perhaps a skin specialist (dermatologist).

See separate leaflet called Skin Prick Allergy Test for more details.Treatment with nasal sprays, eye drops and/or antihistamine tablets will often ease or clear the symptoms. The treatment is the same as for any cause of allergic rhinitis or allergic conjunctivitis.Treatment with medication often works so well that you may not have much motivation or need to avoid the cause of the allergy. However, some people may wish to try to avoid the cause of the allergy, particularly if medication is not fully effective.If house dust mite is the cause of the allergy, it is impossible to keep your home permanently clear of the mites and their droppings. However, the following will help to reduce their number greatly, which may ease symptoms. The main focus is on the bedroom:Symptoms of house dust mite allergy may also improve when on holiday in warm dry climates where there are fewer mites.With allergies to domestic pets, the main strategies for minimising allergic problems and aero-allergens are to:This treatment is sometimes used, mainly in cases that are severe and where symptoms are not helped much by other treatments.