You and your health practitioner Sufferers of asthma and allergy know how it feels to wake up tired after a sleepless night of sharing a bed with dust mites.  For people sensitive to mites, the enzymes contained in mite droppings cause a breakdown in the protective mucous lining of the eyes, nose, lungs and skin. In this way, dust mites can cause symptoms such as watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion and itchy skin. These symptoms are not uncommon, and up to 1 in 3 Australians show symptoms of asthma or allergy according to a large international study - International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood - known as (ISAAC). Identifying possible allergenic triggers is a key component of an organised asthma management plan. Because allergy is a common asthma trigger, your general practitioner (GP) can help you identify allergens you may be sensitive to. This may include special tests for allergies to house dust mites and moulds. While not all allergies result in asthma, it is imperative that allergy sufferers treat the cause of their allergy, rather than just the symptoms. Many over-the-counter medications are available to reduce the symptoms of allergy. While these are sometimes an effective short-term solution, they each cause various side effects including drowsiness, nausea, irratability, sleep disturbances, dizziness, dryness in the nose, throat or eyes. A better approach is to minimise exposure to allergens than to medicate against symptoms of allergy. While avoiding allergens altogether is a significant challenge, sufferers of allergies should at least make every effort to create a home environment they can live in comfortably. Mite-Y-Fresh® is dedicated to bringing asthma and allergy sufferers innovative long term protective measures against some of the most commonly suffered inhaled allergens. If you are allergic to dust mites, consider these ways to reduce their effect in your home.