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Symptoms

By Mayo Clinic staff

Dust mite allergy symptoms caused by inflammation of nasal passages include:

  • Sneezing
  • Runny nose
  • Itchy, red or watery eyes
  • Nasal congestion
  • Itchy nose, roof of mouth or throat
  • Postnasal drip
  • Cough
  • Facial pressure and pain
  • Frequent awakening
  • Swollen, blue-colored skin under your eyes
  • In a child, frequent upward rubbing of the nose

If your dust mite allergy contributes to asthma, you may also experience:

  • Difficulty breathing
  • Chest tightness or pain
  • An audible whistling or wheezing sound when exhaling
  • Trouble sleeping caused by shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing
  • Bouts of coughing or wheezing that are worsened by a respiratory virus such as a cold or the flu

A dust mite allergy can range from mild to severe. A mild case of dust mite allergy may cause an occasional runny nose, watery eyes and sneezing. In severe cases, the condition may be ongoing, or chronic, resulting in persistent sneezing, cough, congestion, facial pressure or severe asthma attack.

When to see a doctor
Some signs and symptoms of dust mite allergy, such as a runny nose or sneezing, are similar to those of the common cold. Sometimes it's difficult to know whether you have a cold or an allergy. If symptoms persist for more than one week, you might have an allergy.

If your signs and symptoms are severe — such as severe nasal congestion, difficulty sleeping or wheezing — call your doctor. Seek emergency care if wheezing or shortness of breath rapidly worsens or if you are short of breath with minimal activity.

Causes Definition
References
  1. Platts-Mills, TAE. Indoor allergens. In: Adkinson NF, et al. Middleton's Allergy: Principles and Practice. 7th ed. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05659-5..00033-4--cesec40&isbn=978-0-323-05659-5&sid=1049616576&type=bookPage&sectionEid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05659-5..00033-4--cesec41&uniqId=217729073-3#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05659-5..00033-4--cesec41. Accessed Sept. 8, 2010.
  2. Atkins D, et al. Diagnosis of allergic disease. In: Kliegman RM, et al. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics, 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/217729073-4/1049619087/1608/434.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2450-7..50142-0--cesec3_3369. Accessed Sept. 8, 2010.
  3. Balkissoon RC, et al. Disorders of the upper airways. In: Mason RJ, et al. Murray & Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine, 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-4710-0..00043-2--s0015&isbn=978-1-4160-4710-0&sid=1049622658&type=bookPage&sectionEid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-4710-0..00043-2--s0055&uniqId=217729073-5#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-4710-0..00043-2--s0055. Accessed Sept. 8, 2010.
  4. DeShazo RD, et al. Diagnosis of allergic rhinitis (rhinosinusitis). http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 8, 2010.
  5. DeShazo RD, et al. Clinical manifestations and epidemiology of allergic rhinitis (rhinosinusitis). http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 8, 2010.
  6. DeShazo RD, et al. Pharmacotherapy of allergic rhinitis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 8, 2010.
  7. Managing indoor allergen culprits. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. http://www.aaaai.org/patients/elements/2009/12/1209_elements.pdf. Accessed Sept. 8, 2010.
  8. Dust mites. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. http://www.epa.gov/asthma/dustmites.html. Accessed Sept. 8, 2010.
  9. Ferguson BJ. Environmental controls of allergies. Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America. 2008;41:411.
  10. Tips to remember: Allergy testing. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. http://www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedmat/tips/whatisallergytesting.stm. Accessed Sept. 8, 2010.
  11. Tips to remember: Allergy shots. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. http://www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedmat/tips/whatareallergyshots.stm. Accessed Sept. 8, 2010.
  12. Li JT (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Sept. 13, 2010.
DS00842 Nov. 5, 2010

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