Xinhuanet, Beijing, April 21 (Zhang Yue) Every time the "allergic season", patients suffering from allergic pain often point the source directly to pollen. In fact, in addition to pollen causing allergic symptoms, there are many other reasons that induce allergic symptoms. Recently, Professor Sun Jinlu, chief physician of the Allergy Department of Peking Union Medical College Hospital and chairman of the Allergy Medicine Committee of the Chinese Research Hospital Society, visited Xinhuanet and accepted an exclusive interview on issues related to dust mite allergy symptoms.

Sun Jinlu said that dust mites are an important influencing factor in diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, and dust mites are particularly important. Many people do not realize this. Keeping a clean home can effectively relieve symptoms and reduce medication.

Dust mites are common allergens for children, the elderly, and those with underlying diseases should pay attention to

Many people ignore the role of dust mites in allergies. According to Sun Jinlu, dust mites are common indoor allergens, mainly including household dust mites, dust mites and tropical clawless mites. They produce dozens of sensitizing protein components. Dust mites are prone to reproduce in warm and humid environments, especially mattresses, pillows, bedding, carpets, sofas, etc. at home, which have become a factor that induces allergies. The foods of dust mites are mainly human dander, mold, and bread and other food residues, and their general life cycle is one or two months.

Dust mites are difficult to observe with the naked eye and need to be seen with the help of a microscope. However, dust mites allergic can cause a variety of allergic diseases and are accompanied by corresponding symptoms.

Sun Jinlu introduced that in areas with a lot of dust in basements, such as the basement, or when tidying clothes and tidying up things, he often runs out and sneezes, which are usually symptoms of allergic rhinitis.

Dust mites are allergic to it, which may also cause asthma symptoms, mainly coughing, and occur during the day or at night; dermatitis can cause itching of the skin, and even "skin is scratched"; urticaria is manifested as multiple itchy mass on the skin similar to mosquito bites. In addition, dust mite allergies may also induce food allergies, such as urticaria and dermatitis after eating shrimps, and even allergic shock in severe cases.

It should be noted that the number of allergic people is large, and the total prevalence of allergic diseases can reach 40% to 50%.

Children, the elderly, and people with a history of underlying diseases and family allergies are more likely to be allergic to dust mites. Sun Jinlu said, "Children are a major group of allergies." In addition, dust mite allergies are also affected by genetic factors. If parents have a history of allergies such as rhinitis, asthma, dermatitis or urticaria, the risk of allergies in their children will also increase. In recent years, the incidence of allergies in the elderly has also increased.

According to Sun Jinlu, some children initially show food allergies after birth, and some children's symptoms will gradually improve, while some continue to exist, and may develop into allergic rhinitis or asthma, which is the "natural process" of allergies. In addition, frequent viral or bacterial infections may also cause allergic reactions to other substances after multiple infections. Therefore, underlying diseases, especially immune system diseases, often cause allergic diseases.

Professor Sun Jinlu, chief physician of the Allergy Department of Peking Union Medical College Hospital and chairman of the Allergy Medicine Committee of the Chinese Research Hospital Society, visited Xinhuanet

Reduce indoor humidity, clean regularly and replace bedding

Many unintentional details in life may be factors that induce dust mites allergies. Sun Jinlu gave an example, for example, some people store a lot of things under the bed, like a "treasure pot", which is actually easy to hide mites. There are also many people who use cotton mats as mats at home but do not change them regularly. "Once I went to the patient's home to inspect and found that the mats may have been used for 20 or 30 years, and it will become crispy with a rub of cotton mats."

"We know that dust mites grow in a warm and humid environment, so once the environment changes, dust mites may not survive." Sun Jinlu said that in order to scientifically and effectively control the number of dust mites in life, comprehensive prevention and control measures must be taken: first, reduce air humidity, and ventilate when the humidity is high or use dehumidifiers and air conditioners to reduce humidity.

The second is to optimize the home decoration environment. For example, if patients with dust mites are allergic to the house, try not to use carpets, choose tiles or wooden floors, which will not easily breed dust mites. "The bottom can also be used as a sanitary bed to keep it empty and easy to clean; in addition, the pads and pillows need to be replaced regularly, the bedding is often cleaned, and the home should be sanitary.

Sun Jinlu recommends using anti-mites bedding, pay attention to places at home where dust mites are prone to breeding, and clean them regularly, such as carpets, soft sofas, pillows that last longer, under beds, etc. Strengthen indoor ventilation to reduce the accumulation of items at home, clean the clothes for the change of seasons and wrap them in plastic paper to reduce the breeding of dust mites. Comprehensive measures are required for dust mites prevention and control, and it is recommended to consult professionals to solve the problem.

What are the clinical diagnosis methods for dust mite allergy? Sun Jinlu introduced that the diagnosis of patients with allergic asthma should be combined with respiratory system examinations such as lung function and nitric oxide detection for exhaled breath. In vitro detection, i.e. blood test, can detect specific IgE antibody levels and determine the type and severity of allergens. In vivo detection, such as skin prick test or intradermal test, determine the degree of allergicity by observing the skin's reaction to dust mite allergens. In scientific research, excitation tests can also be used to evaluate the intensity of symptomatic reactions by controlling sexual contact with dust mite allergens.

Regarding the treatment of dust mite allergy, Sun Jinlu said that the first method is prevention, and prevention and maintenance of environmental sanitation is particularly important. Strictly adopting dust mite prevention and control measures can effectively reduce symptom attacks and medication needs. "If there are allergic patients at home, the prevention and control measures of dust mites must be done well. If the prevention and control measures are taken, the disease will be cured by half and the medication will be reduced by half."

For patients who still have symptoms, symptomatic drugs should be used: patients with allergic rhinitis can use antihistamines; patients with asthma must use inhaled glucocorticoid combined with bronchodilator to relieve symptoms, etc.

The main treatment for the cause is desensitization treatment, which gradually desensitizes through small doses and multiple contacts with dust mite allergens. For patients with severe symptoms and poor symptomatic treatment of conventional drugs, treatment can be combined with biological agents (such as anti-IgE monoclonal antibody) and then desensitization treatment can be performed after controlling the symptoms.

Sun Jinlu also reminded that after allergic symptoms occur, be sure to go to the allergic department and allergy clinic to check for allergens; dust mites are particularly important to prevent and control, which can effectively relieve symptoms and reduce medication; biological agents must strictly grasp the indications, and are mainly used for severe patients or desensitized patients who are expected to have severe allergic reactions, so as to protect them.

[Editor in charge: Sun Hui]