New Delhi, September 28 (IANS). Exposure to dust mites can cause severe allergies in children, leading to problems such as asthma and allergic rhinitis, an expert has warned.
Dust mites are microscopic organisms found in household dust particles. They are just slightly larger than the thickness of a human hair and are a major cause of allergies around the world.
Dr. Neeraj Gupta, senior allergist at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, told IANS on Saturday that microorganisms can grow rapidly due to high humidity in India.
There are approximately 3.5 crore asthma patients in the country. According to an estimate, 2.4 percent of adults and four to 20 percent of children are affected by it. Currently about 22 percent of teenagers in the country are suffering from allergic rhinitis.
Dr. Gupta said that frequent and forceful sneezing and frequent runny nose or persistent blockage in the nose, which causes difficulty in breathing, especially at night; Chronic dry cough, worse in the morning and at night; Shortness of breath, especially during physical activity, and wheezing sounds while breathing are all main symptoms of dust mite allergy.
The expert said that the allergens produced by dust mites, especially their feces and rotten body parts, can cause inflammation in the nasal passages and air passages, leading to these symptoms.
To avoid this, use allergy-proof covers for mattress, pillow and duvet, wash bed sheets regularly in hot water, reduce the use of carpets in the house, as dust mites can flourish in them. Use a high quality particulate air (HEPA) filter. Keep indoor humidity levels below 50 percent, adequate sunlight and cross ventilation.
–IANS
SCH/AKJ