House dust mite allergy testing and treatment in leading allergy clinic

House Dust Mite Allergy Testing and Treatment (PATIENT INFORMATION)

House dust mite allergy is a common trigger of year‑round blocked nose, sneezing, asthma and eczema flares. If you suspect dust mites are worsening your symptoms, targeted allergy testing can confirm the diagnosis and help you access effective, evidence‑based treatment options at our clinic. If you have persistent nasal symptoms, wheeze or eczema that worsens indoors, you can book a dust mite allergy consultation and testing appointment with our team.

House dust mite allergy

What is house dust mite allergy?

House dust mites are microscopic organisms that live in bedding, mattresses, carpets and soft furnishings. They feed on tiny flakes of human skin and prefer warm, humid environments. You cannot see them, and even very clean homes contain dust mites.

In people with allergy, proteins in mite droppings trigger the immune system, causing inflammation in the nose, lungs, eyes and skin.

What are the symptoms?

House dust mite allergy can contribute to:

Nasal symptoms: runny or blocked nose, sneezing, itching (allergic rhinitis).
Eye symptoms: itchy, red or watery eyes (allergic conjunctivitis).
Chest symptoms: cough, wheeze, shortness of breath or tight chest (allergic asthma).
Skin symptoms: eczema flares, especially at night or in the bedroom.

If you have symptoms most days of the year, worse indoors or at night, dust mite allergy is a possible cause.

Why testing of dust mite allergy matters

Confirming the trigger Many people have overlapping triggers (pollens, pets, moulds). A careful history plus allergy testing helps distinguish house dust mite allergy from other causes.

Guideline‑aligned care European and international guidelines for allergic rhinitis and asthma (e.g. ARIA and EAACI) recommend confirming IgE‑mediated allergy before considering advanced treatments such as allergen immunotherapy.

Benefits of a clear diagnosis of dust mite allergy

Targeted avoidance advice rather than trying every possible change at home.
Optimised medication plan for rhinitis, asthma and eczema.
Assessment for allergen immunotherapy (in selected patients with significant symptoms despite standard treatment).

Allergy tests we offer for dust mite allergies

Allergy diagnosis combines:

Detailed clinical history
Skin prick testing to house dust mite extracts
Blood tests for allergen‑specific IgE

House dust mite allergens we can test for include:

Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (d1)
Dermatophagoides farinae (d2)
Blomia tropicalis (d201)
Dermatophagoides microceras (d3)
Euroglyphus maynei (d74)

Storage mite allergens (if clinically relevant):

Acarus siro (d70)
Glycyphagus domesticus (d73)
Lepidoglyphus destructor (d71)
Tyrophagus putrescentiae (d72)

Arrange house dust mite allergy testing

We can usually perform skin prick testing and arrange blood tests in the same visit, with results and a personalised plan discussed with you.

Evidence‑based treatment options

Current European guidelines emphasise a stepwise approach combining environmental measures, medication and, in selected patients, allergen immunotherapy.

Medications

Depending on your symptoms, your clinician may recommend:

Non‑sedating oral antihistamines for nose and eye symptoms.
Intranasal corticosteroid sprays as first‑line treatment for persistent allergic rhinitis.
Combination intranasal steroid + antihistamine sprays for moderate–severe disease.
Sodium cromoglicate eye drops for mild eye symptoms.
Asthma treatment (e.g. inhaled corticosteroids, with or without bronchodilators) according to asthma guidelines, if you have wheeze or breathlessness.

Your treatment plan is tailored to your symptom pattern, other conditions and preferences.

Allergen immunotherapy (desensitisation)

For some patients with confirmed house dust mite allergy and significant rhinitis or asthma symptoms despite optimal medication, allergen immunotherapy (AIT) may be considered. This involves regular exposure to carefully controlled doses of mite allergen (as tablets or injections) over several years to reduce sensitivity.

EAACI guidelines show that house dust mite AIT can improve symptom control and reduce medication use in selected patients with allergic asthma and rhinitis.

We can assess whether you are a suitable candidate for AIT and discuss the potential benefits, risks and practicalities.

House dust mite reduction at home – what actually helps?

Environmental control alone rarely “cures” allergy, but it can reduce exposure and may improve symptoms when combined with medical treatment. Recent reviews suggest that multi‑component strategies (several measures together) are more effective than single changes.

High‑impact measures

Use mite‑proof covers on mattresses, pillows and duvets in the allergic person’s bedroom.
Wash bedding weekly at ≥60°C to kill mites.
Vacuum mattresses and carpets regularly, ideally with a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter.
Reduce humidity (aim for around 40–50%) by ventilating kitchens and bathrooms and avoiding drying clothes in living/bedrooms when possible.

Additional measures (if feasible)

Choose hard flooring or short‑pile synthetic carpets when replacing flooring.
Limit soft toys in bed; wash them at ≥60°C or freeze them overnight periodically.
Select easy‑to‑clean furnishings (e.g. leather or leather‑like sofas rather than deep fabric upholstery).

Devices such as air purifiers or dehumidifiers may help in some homes, but evidence is mixed and they should not replace guideline‑recommended medical treatment.

When to see a specialist

You should consider a specialist allergy assessment if:

You have year‑round nasal or eye symptoms affecting sleep, work or school.
Your asthma is poorly controlled or you have frequent flare‑ups.
Your eczema worsens at night or indoors and you suspect dust mites.
You want to know whether allergen immunotherapy is an option.

Ready to get clarity on your symptoms?

Book an appointment for house dust mite allergy testing and a personalised treatment plan at our clinic.

References:

Allergy UK – House Dust Mite Allergy : https://www.allergyuk.org/resources/house-dust-mite-allergy-factsheet
EAACI Guidelines on Allergen Immunotherapy: House dust mite‑driven allergic asthma : https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/all.13749
EAACI/ARIA allergic rhinitis guideline hub: https://hub.eaaci.org/resources/guidelines

Last Reviewed: February 2026