SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU. SO FIVE IN YOUR HEALTH TONIGHT. THAT’S WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT. WE’RE TALKING ABOUT HOW A DEADLY FOOD ALLERGY IS NOW BEING LINKED TO TICK BITES. IT’S CALLED ALPHA GAL SYNDROME. AND HERE TO TALK ABOUT THIS IS DOCTOR TODD ELLERIN. LET’S LET’S START WITH THIS SYNDROME. I JUST SAID TO YOU, WHY ARE WE TALKING ABOUT THIS? AND YOU SAID THAT THIS IS ACTUALLY SERIOUS. THAT’S RIGHT. SO IT’S A HEAD SCRATCHER. HOW IS BEING BIT BY A TICK LEAD TO A RED MEAT ALLERGY AND THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS. IT’S TYPICALLY THE LONE STAR TICK OKAY. AND IT’S MOSTLY IN THE SOUTHERN PARTS OF THE UNITED STATES. SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES NOT AS MUCH IN NEW ENGLAND, BUT WE’RE SEEING MORE OF IT. BUT IN ANY EVENT, YOU GET A BITE AND IT INJECTS IT HAS A SUGAR OKAY IN ITS SALIVARY GLANDS, AND IT INJECTS THAT INTO YOU. IT’S A CARBOHYDRATE. AND THEN YOUR BODY GETS IMMUNITY. IT DEVELOPS ANTIBODIES, A SPECIFIC TYPE OF ANTIBIOTIC CALLED IGE. THEN WHEN YOU EAT MEATS, MEATS ALSO HAVE THIS THING CALLED ALPHA GAL. THAT’S THE SUGAR. AND WHEN YOU EAT THE MEAT, THEN YOU CAN GET EITHER GI SIDE EFFECTS OR YOU CAN GET SEVERE HIVES OR ANAPHYLAXIS. SO BECAUSE THE TICK HAS WHAT THE WHAT YOUR WHAT THE MEAT HAS. AND THEN THAT’S INCREDIBLE. ALL RIGHT. LET’S SHOW OUR VIEWERS THE MAIN TICK OF CONCERN HERE. SO WE CAN YOU JUST SAID WHAT IT IS. IT’S A LONE STAR TICK. RIGHT. AND IT LOOKS A LITTLE DIFFERENT DEPENDING ON WHERE IT IS IN THE LIFE CYCLE, WHICH YOU CAN TELL HERE. THERE WAS A MAP THAT WAS PUT OUT BY THE CDC. IT SHOWS CASES BETWEEN 2017 AND 2022 WERE MOSTLY CONCENTRATED THERE IN THE SOUTHERN STATES. SO HAVE YOU SEEN DOCTOR TODD ELLERIN ANY CASES OF ALPHA GAL SYNDROME HERE? I’VE SEEN PATIENTS WHO HAVE HAD IT. I HAVE NOT MADE THE DIAGNOSIS. IT’S RARE. SEE, IF YOU SAW THE MAP, IT’S MOSTLY IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE UNITED STATES. SOUTH EASTON MID-ATLANTIC AND THE MIDWEST. BUT AS YOU KNOW, BECAUSE OF GLOBAL WARMING, CLIMATE CHANGE, ALL OF THAT, THE SEASONS BEING EXTENDED AND IT’S MOVING UP. WE USED TO THINK THIS TICK DIDN’T GO FURTHER NORTH IN SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY. NOW THERE’S BEEN CASES NOT ONLY IN NEW ENGLAND, IN THE CAPE, BUT ALSO IN CANADA. I TALKED TO ONE OF OUR GREAT IMMUNOLOGISTS, ALLERGY IMMUNOLOGISTS AT SOUTH SHORE, MICHAEL YOUNG, AND HE SAID THAT RARELY WE DO SEE CASES HERE. BUT IT’S STILL. THE OTHER THING IS THAT WE DON’T, YOU KNOW, PROVIDERS AND PATIENTS DON’T KNOW ABOUT THIS. IT’S EMERGING. SO WE HAVE TO SPREAD THE WORD. NO. AND YOU’RE DOING THAT RIGHT HERE. AND ONE OTHER THING I WANT TO SAY MARIA TYPICALLY WITH FOOD ALLERGIES, IT HAPPENS MINUTES AFTER EATING. BUT WITH THIS ALPHA GAL SYNDROME, FOR WHATEVER REASON, IT’S SLOW. IT USUALLY HAPPENS 2 TO 6 HOURS AFTER EATING MEATS LIKE BEEF, PORK, LAMB, BUT ALSO IT CAN BE IN OTHER THINGS LIKE CERTAIN MEDICATIONS. SO GO TO THE WEBSITE. THERE’S A GREAT ALPHA GAL WEBSITE TO GO TO AND QUICKLY. IS THERE A CURE? ALL RIGHT. THERE’S NO CURE RIGHT NOW. SO REALLY WHAT YOU WANT TO DO IS YOU WANT TO FIND THAT SMART ALLERGIST, OKAY. YOU HAVE TO AVOID AVOID THE MEATS. BUT HERE’S THE OTHER THING. YOU WANT TO AVOID TICK BITES. EVEN IF YOU’VE GOTTEN BIT ALREADY. BECAUSE SOMETIMES IT’S NOT JUST ONE BITE, BUT IT’S REPETITIVE BITES THAT CAN LINK TO MORE GETTING THOSE MORE SUGARS IN YOU, MORE ANTIBODIES. AND SO SO, YOU KNO
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Do dust mites bite? An allergist and immunologist explain
Plus, how to treat a dust mite allergy.
Updated: 5:59 AM EDT Jun 30, 2024
Because microscopic dust mites are invisible to the naked eye, they seem like an elusive storybook creature that may or may not loom among our homes. But their presence quickly becomes known when they’re responsible for an unexplained allergic reaction—which brings us to the question: Do dust mites bite? Below, an immunologist and allergist explain everything you need to know. Related video above: This deadly meat allergy is linked to tick bitesDo dust mites bite?“Dust mites are microscopic, insect-like creatures that are found in homes,” explains Sharlene Llanes, M.D., an allergist and immunologist with AllerVie Health, Loxahatchee. James Faix, M.D., medical director of immunology at Quest Diagnostics adds that they are found in house dust corralled in soft surfaces like rugs, sofas, bedding, and clothing where they live on a diet of shed human skin—keyword being shed, meaning they do not bite to feed. “They don’t bite, but they feed off the dead skin of humans and pets,” says Dr. Llanes. With that being said, contact with dust mites can cause uncomfortable allergic reactions.Symptoms of a dust mite allergyA dust mite allergy might “take on the appearance of insect bites,” or a skin rash, says Dr. Faix. It also can manifest as asthma or allergy-like upper respiratory symptoms. Here’s a comprehensive list of signs to watch for, per Dr. Faix and Dr. Llanes: Nasal congestionSneezingRunny noseItchy, red eyesItchy nose and throatSinus pressureWheezingCoughDifficulty breathingAtopic dermatitis (rash)Rarely, gastrointestinal distress after eating crabs or lobsters due tocross-reactivity to dust mite antigens How to treat a dust mite allergyTreatment of a dust mite allergy depends on the symptoms—allergic rhinitis, or your typical seasonal allergy qualms, can be addressed with over-the-counter antihistamines and decongestants, Dr. Faix says. “Patients with moderate symptoms may require intranasal corticosteroids, and patients with severe symptoms who do not respond to these measures may be candidates for immunotherapy,” he adds, which gradually exposes a person to dust mites to get their immune system accustomed to them. Asthma-like symptoms need to be treated individually by a primary care doctor or immunologist, says Dr. Faix, but may include steroids and/or an albuterol inhaler. With all of that being said, both Dr. Faix and Dr. Llanes say that the most effective treatment of a dust mite allergy is eliminating the source of the allergen—meaning getting rid of carpets, drapes, stuffed toys, and other soft surfaces, generally cleaning and decluttering, and installing an air purifier with a HEPA filter.How to get rid of dust mites In short: “Cleanliness is key,” says Dr. Faix. That means vacuuming at least weekly and washing bedding and other upholstery in hot water regularly, he recommends. You can also minimize places for them to dwell by opting for hardwood floors and leather furniture. HEPA air purifiers and dehumidifiers can also help keep the air in your home dry and clean. To learn more, check out our guide on how to get rid of dust mites. How to prevent dust mitesYou can prevent excess dust mites by maintaining cleanliness, minimizing soft surfaces and textiles like stuffed toys and carpet, and using an air purifier with a HEPA filter, Dr. Llanes says. She also suggests keeping household humidity at 50% because dust mites thrive in warm, humid environments. Even if you check all of those boxes, though, Dr. Llanes stresses that it’s nearly impossible to completely eliminate dust mites from the home. “They are everywhere,” she says. “As long as there is a human in a home, dust mites are there to stay.”
Because microscopic dust mites are invisible to the naked eye, they seem like an elusive storybook creature that may or may not loom among our homes. But their presence quickly becomes known when they’re responsible for an unexplained allergic reaction—which brings us to the question: Do dust mites bite? Below, an immunologist and allergist explain everything you need to know.
Related video above: This deadly meat allergy is linked to tick bites
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Do dust mites bite?
“Dust mites are microscopic, insect-like creatures that are found in homes,” explains Sharlene Llanes, M.D., an allergist and immunologist with AllerVie Health, Loxahatchee. James Faix, M.D., medical director of immunology at Quest Diagnostics adds that they are found in house dust corralled in soft surfaces like rugs, sofas, bedding, and clothing where they live on a diet of shed human skin—keyword being shed, meaning they do not bite to feed. “They don’t bite, but they feed off the dead skin of humans and pets,” says Dr. Llanes. With that being said, contact with dust mites can cause uncomfortable allergic reactions.
Symptoms of a dust mite allergy
A dust mite allergy might “take on the appearance of insect bites,” or a skin rash, says Dr. Faix. It also can manifest as asthma or allergy-like upper respiratory symptoms. Here’s a comprehensive list of signs to watch for, per Dr. Faix and Dr. Llanes:
- Nasal congestion
- Sneezing
- Runny nose
- Itchy, red eyes
- Itchy nose and throat
- Sinus pressure
- Wheezing
- Cough
- Difficulty breathing
- Atopic dermatitis (rash)
- Rarely, gastrointestinal distress after eating crabs or lobsters due to
cross-reactivity to dust mite antigens
How to treat a dust mite allergy
Treatment of a dust mite allergy depends on the symptoms—allergic rhinitis, or your typical seasonal allergy qualms, can be addressed with over-the-counter antihistamines and decongestants, Dr. Faix says. “Patients with moderate symptoms may require intranasal corticosteroids, and patients with severe symptoms who do not respond to these measures may be candidates for immunotherapy,” he adds, which gradually exposes a person to dust mites to get their immune system accustomed to them.
Asthma-like symptoms need to be treated individually by a primary care doctor or immunologist, says Dr. Faix, but may include steroids and/or an albuterol inhaler.
With all of that being said, both Dr. Faix and Dr. Llanes say that the most effective treatment of a dust mite allergy is eliminating the source of the allergen—meaning getting rid of carpets, drapes, stuffed toys, and other soft surfaces, generally cleaning and decluttering, and installing an air purifier with a HEPA filter.
How to get rid of dust mites
In short: “Cleanliness is key,” says Dr. Faix. That means vacuuming at least weekly and washing bedding and other upholstery in hot water regularly, he recommends. You can also minimize places for them to dwell by opting for hardwood floors and leather furniture. HEPA air purifiers and dehumidifiers can also help keep the air in your home dry and clean. To learn more, check out our guide on how to get rid of dust mites.
How to prevent dust mites
You can prevent excess dust mites by maintaining cleanliness, minimizing soft surfaces and textiles like stuffed toys and carpet, and using an air purifier with a HEPA filter, Dr. Llanes says. She also suggests keeping household humidity at 50% because dust mites thrive in warm, humid environments. Even if you check all of those boxes, though, Dr. Llanes stresses that it’s nearly impossible to completely eliminate dust mites from the home. “They are everywhere,” she says. “As long as there is a human in a home, dust mites are there to stay.”
