Clinic and diagnostics of house dust mite allergy

Summary

House dust mite allergens are common triggers for allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and allergic asthma; they can aggravate atopic dermatitis and rarely lead to anaphylactic reactions due to dust mite allergens in food. Typical symptoms are nasal obstruction, sneezing, and irritation, and more often than in pollen allergy, allergic asthma also develops. The symptomatology exists in principle throughout the year with maximum complaints in autumn and winter. Of particular importance are sleep disturbances due to nasal obstruction, which lead to restrictions in the quality of life and performance of affected patients. Sensitization can be proven by skin tests and detection of serum allergen-specific IgE antibodies; proof of allergy is achieved by nasal or conjunctival provocation tests. The diagnosis of local allergic rhinitis can only be made by provocation or by determination of allergen-specific IgE antibodies in nasal secretions. The quality of the allergen extract used is essential for all tests; it must contain the allergens to which a patient is sensitized. The concentration of Der p 23 in house dust mite extracts is particularly critical.