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Dust mite allergy symptoms can be terrible to deal with. If you’re like me, it took years to realize that something was wrong and for years I was miserable.
Ever since I could remember I woke up tired with a stuffy nose and puffy eyes.
My mind was often foggy, I lacked energy, and sometimes my mouth and ears itched. The fatigue was year-round, meaning there was never relief, and I adjusted to live with the issue thinking it was “life”.
It wasn’t until I finished university that I started to research allergies and their potential effects on my health. Because I was always tired, I was especially interested in allergies related to sleep.
Over time, I realized I had many dust mite allergy symptoms. Immediately I went to an allergist to be tested and sure enough my allergy was confirmed!
Below are an overview of dust mite allergy symptoms and a few tips I learned from my allergist and others affected by dust mites. I hope this information helps in your search for answers!
Physical Symptoms of Dust Mite Allergy
- Sneezing (inside the home especially when waking up)
- Runny nose
- Watering eyes (may or may not be swollen)
- Allergic shiners (dark areas under the eyes often seen in kids)
- Nasal congestion (my nose was always congested and I was a mouth breather)
- Itchy ears, nose, eyes, or throat
- Throat clearing
- A persistent cough
- Post nasal drip – overproduction of nasal mucus
- Body rashes at contact point of mattress/pillows (eczema)
- Fatigue (poor sleep)
- Dust mite bites…don’t worry that’s NOT a symptom!
*Remember, dust mites do not bite. If you have bites it could be bed bugs or another insect.
To further gauge your symptoms, assess your home environment
- Do you have carpeting?
- Do you use low-quality filters on your central air/heating?
- Do you wash your bedding infrequently?
- Do your pillows, mattresses, and blankets have dust mite proof covers?
- Do you have animals in the house?
Related: Best Air Purifiers for Dust Mite and Pet Allergies
Most people with dust mite allergy can attest to having a number of symptoms. If possible, visit an allergist to confirm the allergy and receive treatment.
I started taking Allegra (check price on amazon) daily, which helped control my symptoms. It’s a commonly used over-the-counter medicine.
I was also prescribed allergy shots which have worked wonders to reduce my symptoms. If you’re scared of needles, there are also allergy drops available through some allergists.
Allergy shots and drops are 100% natural and allergists use the substances you’re allergic to to slowly build up your tolerance. Over time, and with regular exposure to the allergens from the shots/drops, your body stops reacting and realizes the substances are harmless.
For those of you who don’t have the luxury of visiting a medical specialist, there are a number of steps you can take to improve your well-being in the house.
Covering the bed (below) is one of the easiest steps you can take and it should provide some relief immediately!
To Evaluate Symptoms, Look At Your Home Environment
Carpets are an ideal home for dust mites (aka bed mites and house mites), more-so if you have pets that sleep indoors and shed hair.
You could remove the carpets, but a more realistic option is to regularly clean using a high quality vacuum with HEPA filter. We’ve reviewed the best dust mite vacuums to save you time! These specially designed vacuums capture even the smallest amounts of dust, including pollen and dander.
Reduce Symptoms By Utilizing High-Quality Allergy Filters
Make sure you have a quality filter for your central air and heating. Studies show that sometimes indoor air can be multiple times worse than outside air.
Using an “allergen filter” like those made by Filtrete can make a huge difference – especially if you suffer from asthma.
Using a high-quality filter on your HVAC will also keep it clean. Just remember, replace central air and heating filters every 6 months (tip: write the date on your filters when you put new ones in so you don’t forget).
For Best Symptom Control, Focus On The Bed
We spend almost half our lives in bed, so it makes sense to protect your bedding. Protective covers are the cheapest and easiest solution we recommend and doing so gives you the confidence you’re getting a healthy nights sleep.
Whether your mattress is old or new, use the best dust mite cover!
The cover will protect the mattress by keeping it clean and protecting dust mites from settling within – we saved you time and already reviewed the best dust mite mattress covers. You’ll also want covers for your pillow and blankets since they will be in direct contact with your skin.
Remember to wash them weekly with hot water and essential oils. Using essential oils will ensure you kill dust mites and their larvae, even without using hot water. If you simply wash without an additive much of the dust mite larvae can survive.
Conclusion
Dust mite allergy symptoms affect people in different ways. You might experience multiple symptoms like asthma, rashes, and fatigue, or you might exhibit only one such as itchy, swollen eyes.
If you think you have symptoms, assess your house and look for signs of dust mites. Signs of dust mites include dust (of course), carpeting, messy bedroom and infrequent washing of bedding, pets, poor indoor ventilation and use of low-quality air filters. 
If the signs and symptoms add up, try taking a daily anti-histamine and really focus on improving your household cleanliness – especially focus on the bedroom. Also, consider visiting a reputable allergist for testing.
Although allergy testing can be expensive, it doesn’t hurt and the results are reliable. Knowing exactly what you’re allergic to can help you solve your allergy problems.
We hope this helped assess your dust mite allergy symptoms and find ways to improve your environment. Visit us today, if you’re interested in more Dust Mite Allergy blog posts, reviews, or products!