Mites are microscopical spiders the size of 200u. In particular, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae (figure 1), living in house dust, they are important agents responsible for allergic disorders.

These mites live in house dust and in bed components (like mattresses and pillows), feeding on epithelial dander.

Temperature of 18-21 degrees c and 65% -70% relative humidity represent the best conditions for their growth. They live between 2-4 months, producing each female 20-50 eggs (figure 2).

Allergic disorders due to house dust mites

Mites are the main responsible agents for perennial allergic disorders, such as rhinitis and bronchial asthma.

The patients suffering are normally allergic to fecal pellet of mites, that is rich in allergens (figure 3).

After having identified mites as the cause of the allergic disease of the patient, the treatment is mainly based on avoidance of mites and on specific immunotherapy.

The elimination of mites (or the reduction of their numbers) is the procedure to follow in any case.

figure 1

figure 2

figure 3