Dust Mites

Sneezing, wheezing, coughing, itching, watering, and runny noses – too many of us know these symptoms far too well throughout the year. Allergies spell misery for about 50 million Americans according to the AAFA, or the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Whether it's a dramatic change in the weather outside, the growth and flying of new pollens or coming in contact with something that your body is just hypersensitive to, all sufferers have their kryptonite.

For millions of Americans, the world is a sneezy, wheezy place, filled with normally harmless substances that their bodies recognize as enemies. Of all the enemies, there's one almost no one can escape: house dust.

This year more than 50 million Americans will sniffle, wheeze, cough, or scratch their way through a bout of allergies. Some suffer from short-lived seasonal allergies, while others suffer all year long-usually in response to foods, pets, or the dust mites that take residence in all of our mattresses and pillows. An unlucky few will suffer from a combination of the two. Dr. Beth Corn, of the department of Clinical Immunology at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City, talks about who gets allergies, how to know for sure when it's allergies, and the rare occasions when they can be life threatening.

The incidence of allergies in children has increased significantly in the last two decades. There are now more children with asthma, hay fever, and eczema than ever before. Closely following this increased prevalence of allergies is the rise in asthma, which has become the number one diagnosis for child hospital admissions. Read on...

What's the big deal if you sweep one little dust bunny under the rug? Turns out, a lot! Most of the time, when there's one, more will follow. So, the best thing to do is to get a handle on things before it gets out of control. The question is — how do you get rid of something that keeps coming back? The answer is: PREVENTION.

Indoor asthma triggers are the contaminants that can set off asthmatic reactions in people who have asthma or breathing problems. According to information from The American Lung Association, it is estimated that 24.6 million Americans have asthma. Typical asthma triggers found in the home relate to dust mites, mold, pet dander, tobacco smoke and combustion appliances. There are many ways to help reduce exposure to these triggers and the first step is the elimination of pollutants if possible.

There are three stages to the allergic response: In the first stage, the immune system encounters the foreign substance and identifies it as an invader.