If you have allergies and you have a cat, you may think it's the cat that is causing you to sneeze. Before you get rid of your cat, however, go to a doctor and have them test you for allergies. They may find that you are allergic to dust mites. Below is some information about how allergy testing works, as well as some information about these insects and ways you can reduce how many are in your home.
How Allergy Testing Works
In most cases, you will see an allergy specialist to have allergy testing. This testing can be done using blood tests or skin tests.
If you are currently taking medications that will interfere with the skin test, the doctor will do a blood test instead. If you have eczema or other type of skin condition, the doctor will also use a blood test. The doctor will take a vial of blood and either test it in their office or send it to a lab.
With a skin test, the doctor will place different types of allergens on special needles and then prick your skin on your forearm or back in different areas with the needles. If you are allergic to the allergen, your skin will turn red and may swell where you were pricked.
Once the doctor determines what you are allergic to, they will give you the proper medication to help you deal with them. If they find that you are allergic to dust mites, along with the medication, there are some things you can do at home to help.
Deal with Dust Mites
Dust mites are tiny, and you will not be able to see them. They will look much like a speck of dust. They like to live on curtains, carpets, furniture, bedding, and mattresses. They get their food from skin that you and your family and pets shed.
There is no way you can eliminate the dust mites in your home, but you can greatly reduce them. They love humidity, so keep the humidity down in your home. You can do this by using your air conditioner or running a dehumidifier. You can purchase a humidity tester at a home improvement store so you know what the humidity is. Ask the allergy specialist what the humidity should be.
There are allergen-impermeable covers available that you can encase your pillows and mattresses with. You can find these in retail stores that sell bedding, or you can purchase them online. You need to ensure that you wash your sheets and other bedding materials weekly, using the hot temperature setting on your washer.
The allergy specialist can give you more information about how to reduce the amount of dust mites in your home.
Share14 July 2017
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