House dust allergy
Reaction to household dust and its contents.
About house dust allergy
"House dust" is not a single allergen but a mixture of everything that settles indoors: skin flakes, fibres, house dust mite droppings, pet dander, mould spores, pollen brought in from outside and sometimes insect fragments. When people react to house dust, the main allergic driver is usually the dust mite component, with dander and mould contributing. In sensitised individuals, breathing in these proteins triggers an IgE-mediated allergic response. Because dust accumulates indoors continuously, this is very much a year-round allergy, and it is one of the most common indoor triggers in UK homes.
The typical presentation is persistent allergic rhinitis, with sneezing, a blocked or runny nose and itchy, watery eyes that are often worst during cleaning, bed-making or in dusty rooms, and frequently on waking. House dust is closely linked with asthma and can provoke cough, wheeze and night-time symptoms, and it may worsen eczema. Reactions are generally not life-threatening, but constant congestion and disturbed sleep can affect concentration, school and work.
Helpful measures include regular damp dusting and vacuuming (ideally with a filtered cleaner), allergen-proof bedding covers, reducing clutter and soft furnishings, controlling humidity and ventilating well. Because dust mite is usually central, skin-prick or specific-IgE testing helps confirm the specific triggers. Treatment follows the usual ladder of antihistamines and steroid nasal sprays, with immunotherapy considered in selected cases. See a GP if symptoms persist despite these measures or if asthma is difficult to control.
Common triggers
- House dust and products containing it
Symptoms
- Sneezing and a runny or blocked nose
- Itchy, red or watery eyes
- Itchy throat, nose or ears
- Coughing or wheezing
- Worsening of asthma
Avoidance & management
- Reduce exposure to the trigger where possible
- Keep windows closed during high-exposure periods
- Use air filtration and wash bedding regularly
- Shower and change clothes after exposure
- Use prescribed antihistamines, nasal sprays or preventers
Sources & references
Allergy safety: what everyone should know
Mild-to-moderate reaction signs
- Itching, hives or a raised rash
- Swelling of lips, face or eyes
- Tingling mouth, sneezing, runny nose
- Stomach pain, nausea or vomiting
Anaphylaxis — call 999 (UK) or 112 (EU) immediately
- Difficult or noisy breathing, wheeze, persistent cough
- Swelling of the tongue or tightness in the throat
- Dizziness, collapse, pale and floppy (young children)
- Use an adrenaline auto-injector (e.g. EpiPen) at once if prescribed, then call an ambulance even if symptoms improve
Allergy or intolerance? A true allergy involves the immune system and can escalate quickly; an intolerance (e.g. lactose intolerance) is unpleasant but not life-threatening. The symptoms overlap, so self-diagnosis is unreliable.
Getting tested: home-testing kits based on IgG are not diagnostically valid. If you suspect an allergy, ask a GP for referral to an allergy clinic for skin-prick or specific-IgE testing and a supervised food challenge where appropriate.