Environment and allergic disease

Insects

Indoor Allergens - House Dust Mites and Cockroaches 

House dust mites 

• Microscopic creatures found in house dust: excreta and their dead bodies are highly allergenic. 
• They feed on human skin scales and live in mattresses, pillows, bedding and bedroom carpet. 
• Found in living room upholstered furniture, in lower numbers. 
• The most common species in the southwest is Dermatophagoides farinae (picture).    Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus is less common in the region but is the most prevalent species elsewhere including the UK and Europe .
• Evaporative cooling can increase indoor humidity to over 70%, and favor mite proliferation 

Cockroaches 

• Less of a problem in southwestern cities, as compared with inner urban areas of large cities in the northeast.   Allergy to cockroach may trigger asthma. 
• The German Cockroach (Blatella germanica) and the Brown-banded Cockroach (Supella longipalpa) are the most common types seen in houses in Southern Arizona.  The very large American Cockroach is uncommon inside homes.  See University of Nebraska Pest Education site for pictures of the German and Brown-banded Cockroaches and pictures comparing them with the American Cockroach.
• They are less common in houses in which kitchens and utensils are kept clean, food is properly contained, garbage is taken out daily, and food is consumed only in clean dining areas.  Eating in bedrooms increases risk of cockroach allergy in endemic areas.   For details on control of Cockroaches, see the excellent University of Nebraska Cockroach Control Manual.   

Additional information on limiting exposure to avoidable allergens in the home to reduce symptoms of asthma and allergic rhinitis (see Limiting Exposure to Allergens in the Home).  More information on control of house dust and cockroaches and other indoor allergens is summarized in an AAAAI pamphlet. 

Disclaimer:   This site is for educational purposes only.  Any information that you have found in this web site is not intended to replace medical care or advice given to you by your own physicians. You should consider consulting your local medical library and other web sites for additional information. 

Comments and suggestions welcome!   Email: schumach@u.arizona.edu
Content Owner:  Michael J. Schumacher, MB, FRACP, The University of Arizona
Updated 1/2008