Dust mites are microscopic, insect-like pests that commonly live in house dust. They feed on flakes of dead skin, or dander, that are shed by people and pets. These tiny creatures are a big source of allergens and can worsen allergies and asthma. Dust mites can live in mattresses, bedding, upholstered furniture, carpets, and curtains in your home.

House dust mites are distributed worldwide, with a minimum of 13 species identified from house dust. The two most common in the United States are the North American house dust mite (Dermatophagoides farinae) and the European house dust mite (D. pteronyssinus).

Dust mite allergy testing can find out whether you or your child has a dust mite allergy. If a dust mite allergy is suspected, your primary care provider or your child's provider will probably refer you to an allergist. An allergist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating allergies and asthma.

You or your child may need dust mite allergy testing if you have allergy symptoms of unknown cause. Allergies arise when the body’s immune system overreacts to substances, called allergens, that are normally harmless. When a person with allergies breathes in allergens—such as pollen, mold, pet dander, or dust mites—the resulting allergic reactions in the nose are called allergic rhinitis, or hay fever.

If your symptoms become persistent and bothersome, visit your family physician or an allergist. They can test for allergy sensitivities by using a skin or blood test. The test results, along with a medical exam and information about when and where your symptoms occur, will help your doctor determine the cause.

The testing may begin with your allergist performing a physical exam and asking about your symptoms. After that, he or she will perform one or more of the following tests:

• Skin prick test. During this test, your allergist or other provider will place a small amount of the suspected allergen on the skin of your forearm or back. He or she will then prick the skin with a needle to allow a tiny amount of the allergen to get beneath the skin. If you get a red, itchy bump at the injection site, it usually means you are allergic to the allergen.
• Blood test. This test checks for substances called IgE antibodies in the blood. IgE antibodies are made in the immune system when you are exposed to an allergy-causing substance. During a blood test, a health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes.

You don't need any special preparations for a dust mite allergy test.

A skin prick test can bother the skin. If your skin is itchy or irritated after the test, your allergist may prescribe medicine to relieve the symptoms. In rare cases, a skin test can cause a severe reaction. So this test must also be done under close supervision by an allergist.

There is very little risk to having a blood test. You may have slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly.

No matter how clean a home is, dust mites cannot be completely eliminated. However, the number of dust mites can be reduced by doing the following.

• Use a dehumidifier or air conditioner to maintain humidity levels at, or below, 50 percent.
• Encase your mattress and pillows in dust-proof or allergen impermeable covers.
• Wash all bedding and blankets once a week in hot water, 130 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, to kill dust mites. Non-washable bedding can be frozen overnight.
• Replace wool or feathered bedding products with synthetic materials, and traditional stuffed animals with washable ones.
• In bedrooms, replace wall-to-wall carpeting with bare floors, and remove fabric curtains and upholstered furniture, whenever possible.
• Use a damp mop or rag to remove dust. Never use a dry cloth, as it stirs up allergens.
• Use a double-layered microfilter bag or a HEPA filter in your vacuum cleaner.
• Wear a mask while vacuuming, and stay out of the vacuumed area for 20 minutes after vacuuming, to allow dust and allergens to settle.

Dust mites are microscopic, insect-like pests that commonly live in house dust. They feed on flakes of dead skin, or dander, that are shed by people and pets. These tiny creatures are a big source of allergens and can worsen allergies and asthma. Dust mites can live in mattresses, bedding, upholstered furniture, carpets, and curtains in your home.

House dust mites are distributed worldwide, with a minimum of 13 species identified from house dust. The two most common in the United States are the North American house dust mite (Dermatophagoides farinae) and the European house dust mite (D. pteronyssinus).

Dust mite allergy testing can find out whether you or your child has a dust mite allergy. If a dust mite allergy is suspected, your primary care provider or your child's provider will probably refer you to an allergist. An allergist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating allergies and asthma.

You or your child may need dust mite allergy testing if you have allergy symptoms of unknown cause. Allergies arise when the body’s immune system overreacts to substances, called allergens, that are normally harmless. When a person with allergies breathes in allergens—such as pollen, mold, pet dander, or dust mites—the resulting allergic reactions in the nose are called allergic rhinitis, or hay fever.

If your symptoms become persistent and bothersome, visit your family physician or an allergist. They can test for allergy sensitivities by using a skin or blood test. The test results, along with a medical exam and information about when and where your symptoms occur, will help your doctor determine the cause.

The testing may begin with your allergist performing a physical exam and asking about your symptoms. After that, he or she will perform one or more of the following tests:

• Skin prick test. During this test, your allergist or other provider will place a small amount of the suspected allergen on the skin of your forearm or back. He or she will then prick the skin with a needle to allow a tiny amount of the allergen to get beneath the skin. If you get a red, itchy bump at the injection site, it usually means you are allergic to the allergen.
• Blood test. This test checks for substances called IgE antibodies in the blood. IgE antibodies are made in the immune system when you are exposed to an allergy-causing substance. During a blood test, a health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes.

You don't need any special preparations for a dust mite allergy test.

A skin prick test can bother the skin. If your skin is itchy or irritated after the test, your allergist may prescribe medicine to relieve the symptoms. In rare cases, a skin test can cause a severe reaction. So this test must also be done under close supervision by an allergist.

There is very little risk to having a blood test. You may have slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly.

No matter how clean a home is, dust mites cannot be completely eliminated. However, the number of dust mites can be reduced by doing the following.

• Use a dehumidifier or air conditioner to maintain humidity levels at, or below, 50 percent.
• Encase your mattress and pillows in dust-proof or allergen impermeable covers.
• Wash all bedding and blankets once a week in hot water, 130 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, to kill dust mites. Non-washable bedding can be frozen overnight.
• Replace wool or feathered bedding products with synthetic materials, and traditional stuffed animals with washable ones.
• In bedrooms, replace wall-to-wall carpeting with bare floors, and remove fabric curtains and upholstered furniture, whenever possible.
• Use a damp mop or rag to remove dust. Never use a dry cloth, as it stirs up allergens.
• Use a double-layered microfilter bag or a HEPA filter in your vacuum cleaner.
• Wear a mask while vacuuming, and stay out of the vacuumed area for 20 minutes after vacuuming, to allow dust and allergens to settle.

Dust mites are microscopic, insect-like pests that commonly live in house dust. They feed on flakes of dead skin, or dander, that are shed by people and pets. These tiny creatures are a big source of allergens and can worsen allergies and asthma. Dust mites can live in mattresses, bedding, upholstered furniture, carpets, and curtains in your home.

House dust mites are distributed worldwide, with a minimum of 13 species identified from house dust. The two most common in the United States are the North American house dust mite (Dermatophagoides farinae) and the European house dust mite (D. pteronyssinus).

Dust mite allergy testing can find out whether you or your child has a dust mite allergy. If a dust mite allergy is suspected, your primary care provider or your child's provider will probably refer you to an allergist. An allergist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating allergies and asthma.

You or your child may need dust mite allergy testing if you have allergy symptoms of unknown cause. Allergies arise when the body’s immune system overreacts to substances, called allergens, that are normally harmless. When a person with allergies breathes in allergens—such as pollen, mold, pet dander, or dust mites—the resulting allergic reactions in the nose are called allergic rhinitis, or hay fever.

If your symptoms become persistent and bothersome, visit your family physician or an allergist. They can test for allergy sensitivities by using a skin or blood test. The test results, along with a medical exam and information about when and where your symptoms occur, will help your doctor determine the cause.

The testing may begin with your allergist performing a physical exam and asking about your symptoms. After that, he or she will perform one or more of the following tests:

• Skin prick test. During this test, your allergist or other provider will place a small amount of the suspected allergen on the skin of your forearm or back. He or she will then prick the skin with a needle to allow a tiny amount of the allergen to get beneath the skin. If you get a red, itchy bump at the injection site, it usually means you are allergic to the allergen.
• Blood test. This test checks for substances called IgE antibodies in the blood. IgE antibodies are made in the immune system when you are exposed to an allergy-causing substance. During a blood test, a health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes.

You don't need any special preparations for a dust mite allergy test.

A skin prick test can bother the skin. If your skin is itchy or irritated after the test, your allergist may prescribe medicine to relieve the symptoms. In rare cases, a skin test can cause a severe reaction. So this test must also be done under close supervision by an allergist.

There is very little risk to having a blood test. You may have slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly.

No matter how clean a home is, dust mites cannot be completely eliminated. However, the number of dust mites can be reduced by doing the following.

• Use a dehumidifier or air conditioner to maintain humidity levels at, or below, 50 percent.
• Encase your mattress and pillows in dust-proof or allergen impermeable covers.
• Wash all bedding and blankets once a week in hot water, 130 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, to kill dust mites. Non-washable bedding can be frozen overnight.
• Replace wool or feathered bedding products with synthetic materials, and traditional stuffed animals with washable ones.
• In bedrooms, replace wall-to-wall carpeting with bare floors, and remove fabric curtains and upholstered furniture, whenever possible.
• Use a damp mop or rag to remove dust. Never use a dry cloth, as it stirs up allergens.
• Use a double-layered microfilter bag or a HEPA filter in your vacuum cleaner.
• Wear a mask while vacuuming, and stay out of the vacuumed area for 20 minutes after vacuuming, to allow dust and allergens to settle.