Could you have a dust mite allergy?

Updated August 2024 | 5 min read  
Expert contributor Janet Rimmer, associate professor Woolcock Institute and allergist and respiratory specialist, Sydney Allergy Clinic   
Words by Trudie McConnochie  

Dust mites are a common allergen, but for the squeamish among us, they’re not a pleasant thought. Here’s what you can do if you think you’re allergic to dust mites. 

Dust mites are tiny organisms belonging to the same family as spiders and live side-by-side humans. They don’t bite our skin but feed off our discarded skin. While most people aren’t sensitive to dust mites, if you’ve got asthma, hay fever or eczema, you’re more likely to have allergic symptoms triggered by dust mites.

Dust mites are a common environmental allergen — along with mould, pollens and animals. They love hot and humid areas, so are more common in coastal areas and are often found in soft furnishings like clothes, bed linen, couches, carpets and soft toys.

Associate Professor Janet Rimmer of Sydney Allergy Clinic, an allergist and respiratory specialist at the Woolcock Institute, says dust mite allergies and their effects are under recognised.

“It impacts on quality of life,” she says. “There’s quite a lot of data now saying there’s a reduced ability to work effectively, to do exams effectively, sleep quality is impaired, and there’s also some data showing there’s increased risk of car accidents in people with severe allergic rhinitis. So, it has a lot of flow-on effects in terms of quality of life, not just in the symptoms that people recognise.”

Dust mite allergy symptoms

Dust mite allergy symptoms include:

• wheezing or coughing
• breathlessness
• a tight feeling in the chest
• a runny or itchy nose
• itchy eyes or skin
• skin rashes.

How to get rid of dust mites at home

While it’s not possible to get rid of dust mites completely, you can reduce your exposure to them at home by:

• using a dust mite mattress, pillow and quilt covers
• regularly washing bedding and soft toys in hot water (more than 60°C) or with laundry products containing eucalyptus or tea tree oils
• avoiding woollen bedding
• keeping humidity at bay with good ventilation and a dehumidifier or air conditioner
• vacuuming with a HEPA filter weekly or asking someone else to do it so you can be out of the room while the dust mite allergens are airborne
• keeping pets outside
• drying clothes and bedding in sunlight, then a hot tumble dry for 10 minutes
• replacing carpets with wood or tiled floors
• cleaning blinds and curtains regularly
• washing clothing that’s been in storage.

However, Assoc Prof Rimmer says minimising techniques aren’t always effective and may have different results for everyone.

“The analysis really doesn’t support dust mite avoidance,” she says. “That’s because we can’t reduce the triggers low enough for some people. It works for some people, but I can’t pick who those people are going to be. In my practice, I give people all the information [on reducing exposure], but I certainly don’t say to them this is definitely going to be the answer.”

There are companies that claim chemical sprays, air filters and negative ion generators can reduce dust mites, but health experts don’t recommend these as a long-term solution.

Who is affected by dust mite allergy?

Assoc Prof Rimmer says dust mite allergies are common in Australia, and many people are likely to be unaware they’re sensitive to them. And even among those who’ve been diagnosed, it can be difficult to pinpoint triggers.

“The activities associated with dust mite exposure aren’t clearly understood,” she says. “And I think it’s true to say that scientifically, we don’t really understand how exposure occurs.”

A dust mite allergy can affect anyone, although most have a genetic disposition. Having two parents who are allergic raises your chances of an allergic disease.

People sensitive to dust mites are more likely to have a worsening of symptoms in March and April, following the humid summer months, which increases dust mite populations, and when the cold weather sets in.

“The issue in winter is that people either bring out bedding or clothing which has been stored and may have fairly high dust mite content inside them, so that may trigger them at that time,” explains Assoc Prof Rimmer. “But the rest of the year, the levels are probably fairly constant.”

Our warm, humid climate in Australia makes dust mite levels fairly high, especially along the east coast. “You’ll get a winter kill-off in dust mites in places in Europe and America, but we don’t get that here,” she says.

How are dust mite allergies treated?

First, you’ll need to do allergy testing to figure out if dust mites are triggering your symptoms. Your GP can refer you to get tested. Once diagnosed you can then start treatment or medication, depending on your symptoms.

Some people are treated with immunotherapy, which gradually exposes you to dust mite allergens to train your immune system to be less sensitive to them. Symptoms can improve after three months but the recommended course of treatment is three years, Assoc Prof Rimmer says. Many immunotherapies approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) (Australia’s regulatory body) are covered by HCF, so check with your doctor to find out if you’re covered for the immunotherapy they prescribe.

“If you’re in the more severe category, then I think going down the track of desensitisation is a very appropriate way forward,” she explains.

A GP at your fingertips

Do you need to talk to a GP about your allergies? Our partnership with GP2U, an online video GP service, makes it easier for eligible members to access telehealth services. All HCF members with health cover can access a standard GP consultation (up to 10 minutes) for a fee of $50.

GP2U and PSYCH2U services have a unique partnership with HCF, no other private health fund offers these resources to members.