Dust Mites Eczema

Nothing to scratch about!

For some people with dust mites eczema, the home environment can be full of hazards.

Eczema, also referred to as dermatitis, is a common skin condition that can cause substantial discomfort and disability to affected sufferers. An inflammation of the skin, eczema is an itchy, reddening, swelling, weeping, scaly skin condition, from mild to quite severe presentation.

Mainly affects babies and children, but can persist into adult life. Eczema comprises of a group of skin disorders such as atopic dermatitis, seborrheic eczema and contact dermatitis. In babies, eczema tends to occur on the face, trunk and nappy area. Growing up, the eczema tends to favour the inner elbows and behind the knees, flexible areas, although exceptions can occur.

Triggers that may contribute to eczema flare up include, particularly in the baby age group, a strong association with allergies to particular foods such as milk and egg. Environmental or external irritants include house dustmite, pets, mould spores, heat and humidity, naturally dry skin, anxiety, stress, injury to the skin or hereditary factors.

Although the home may contain the environmental trigger factors, it is not the cause of eczema. It may well be that the eczema simply does not disappear even though you minimise the triggers.

There are many factors involved in control of eczema. Some babies settle down when they are switched from cow’s milk to an alternative milk. Around pre-school age, there is often a shift from food allergy eczema to inhalant, snuffly nose asthma. Children may lose their allergy to milk or egg, but not often, and become sensitive to dust mite, pollens, animal dander or moulds. Maintain skin care, relieve itch to stop scratching, control angry skin and infected skin, manage airborne and / or dietary allergies, relieve stress, wholesome food intake and good gut / stomach maintenance.

If the condition persists and requires on going treatment, speak with your doctor or paediatric allergist. Treatment must include assessment of airborne triggers and subsequent treatment for the associated allergies. For many years it was not acknowledged that people with eczema could also be affected by dust mites until several scientific trials, published in immunology and allergy journals, have shown that breathing in house dust mite, when dusting or vacuuming, can cause itchy red skin and increased eczema within 24 hours in a person with eczema and dust mites allergy.

Dust mite covers provide welcome relief from dustmite and their allergens. Dust mite control may help you stop scratching without using dust mite spray and pesticides. Invest in dust mite bedding, such as dust mites mattress protectors, providing welcome relief for eczema sufferers.

For some people, the dust mite is one of the key factors in making their skin worse. For others, it is just one of a range of triggers and for the other few, dust mites as an eczema allergen source will play no part at all.

Click here to see our range of dust mite covers.