Dangers of house dust mites
In the study done by Andiappan et al., 2014 , 70-80% in Singaporeans have house dust mites sensitization. Out of those Singaporeans, some will manifest with one or more allergic diseases.
If left alone, your child may gradually develop
1) skin allergy (eczema)
2) nose allergy (allergic rhinitis)
3) then eventually to severe lung allergy (asthma)
In the study done by Andiappan et al., 2014 , 70-80% in Singaporeans have house dust mites sensitization. Out of those Singaporeans, some will manifest with one or more allergic diseases.
If left alone, your child may gradually develop
1) skin allergy (eczema)
2) nose allergy (allergic rhinitis)
3) then eventually to severe lung allergy (asthma)
1) Allergic rhinitis (Sensitive nose)
How do I know if i have allergic rhinitis (Sensitive nose).
You have sensitive nose when 2 or more symptoms below persist for ≥1 hour on most days. (based on ARIA guidelines)
1) Runny nose
2) sneezing
3) nasal blockage
4) nasal itch
So what if I have sensitive nose?
According to (Ruby Pawankar, Stephen T.holgate, G.walter vaconica, Richard F.Lockey, & Michael S.Blaiss, n.d), half of adult patients and up to 88% of children with sensitive nose have sleep problems, leading to daytime fatigue and somnolence, and decreased cognitive functioning (aka stupider). These are accompanied by disorders of learning performance, behaviour and attention in children.
You have sensitive nose when 2 or more symptoms below persist for ≥1 hour on most days. (based on ARIA guidelines)
1) Runny nose
2) sneezing
3) nasal blockage
4) nasal itch
So what if I have sensitive nose?
According to (Ruby Pawankar, Stephen T.holgate, G.walter vaconica, Richard F.Lockey, & Michael S.Blaiss, n.d), half of adult patients and up to 88% of children with sensitive nose have sleep problems, leading to daytime fatigue and somnolence, and decreased cognitive functioning (aka stupider). These are accompanied by disorders of learning performance, behaviour and attention in children.
2) Asthma (sensitive lungs)
What is asthma?
The following diagnostic criteria are taken from the Global Initiative for Asthma
You have asthma if you have the following 2 features
The following diagnostic criteria are taken from the Global Initiative for Asthma
You have asthma if you have the following 2 features
- Different lung symptoms
- Such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, cough
- there are generally more than one of these symptoms
- can occur variably over time and vary in intensity
- often occur or are worse at night or on waking
- triggered by exercise, laughter, allergens or cold air
- worsen with viral infections
- Evidence of variable expiratory airflow limitation
- this is detected on spirometry (a.k.a lung function test)
- other tests include bronchial challenge test (give you something to try to trigger your asthma)
3) Eczema (sensitive skin)
Following the UK working party diagnostic criteria, you have eczema if you have a history of itchy skin with at least 3 of the following
- Involvement of skin folds
- history of asthma or allergic rhinitis
- general dry skin lasting for more than 1 year
- skin rash occurring before the age of 2 years old
Can you imagine it? All the above complicated diseases can all be caused by house dust mites!