House Dust Mites May Be the Cause of Persistent Coughs in Children
Experts warned that weeks-long coughs and wheezing in children may be caused by house dust mite allergies.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Serdar Al, a Pediatric Immunology and Allergy Diseases Specialist at Medipol Acıbadem Regional Hospital, stated that persistent coughs, wheezing, runny noses, and sneezing lasting for weeks in children can stem from house dust mite allergies. He pointed out that symptoms worsening particularly upon getting into bed serve as an important clue.
House Dust Mites and Allergy Risk
Inside our homes, there are microscopic creatures that are invisible to the naked eye yet can trigger allergic symptoms in children. House dust mites can concentrate particularly in beds, quilts, pillows, armchairs, and sofas. With autumn, the rise in humidity levels and less frequent ventilation of indoor spaces can cause allergies related to these creatures to become more pronounced.
Symptoms and Prolonged Cough
In addition to runny nose, congestion, and sneezing, a cough and wheezing that do not go away for weeks can also be a harbinger of house dust mite allergy. While coughs in infections like the flu last 5-7 days, in allergic children this duration can reach a month, a month and a half, or even two months. The cough occurring particularly at night, when lying down in bed, or upon waking up in the morning constitutes an important symptom.
Cleaning and Protection Methods
It is stated that house cleaning is important in terms of reducing allergens, and particularly vacuum cleaners with HEPA 13 filters can be beneficial in collecting house dust and dust residues. It is pointed out that mites can be found in abundance in beds, quilts, and pillows made from animal-derived organic materials such as wool, down, and feather.
Allergy Vaccine Treatment Option
It is stated that besides treatments aimed at reducing symptoms in house dust mite allergy, allergen immunotherapy can also be applied. It is noted that the allergy vaccine is an effective treatment option in children as well, the treatment can be applied as monthly injections for approximately 4 years, and response rates can exceed 90 percent.