Allergy House Dust Mite Enzyme Assay Skin
What is this test?
Allergy house mite skin test is used to test the sensitization of your skin to dust mites. This test helps in knowing the immune response to the dust mites. In this test, your skin is slightly pricked and introduced to the dust particles.
What is dust mite allergy?
Dust mite allergy is the reaction to the dust mites in the environment. Dust mites are the very tiny bugs which belong to the spider family. Mostly they are seen in the house dust and feed on the dead skin cells that are shed by the people regularly. Dust is commonly found in the corners of our house or in the places that are not cleaned very often. Dust mites survive in all kinds of climate and altitude. Individuals with dust mite allergy will experience symptoms soon after inhaling the dust particles. The symptoms of dust mite allergy include runny or stuffy nose, itching or irritation in the nose, itchy skin, itchy eyes, congestion, facial pain, scratchy throat, watery eyes, reddening of eyes, cough, swollen bluish-colored skin beneath the eyes, difficulty to breathe or sleep, etc. The symptoms of dust mite allergy may worsen if you have asthma. The symptoms of dust mite allergy with asthma are wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, difficulty in breathing, chest pain, chest tightness, difficulty in speaking, etc. The triggering factors of dust mite allergy are dust, pet hair, fur or feathers, cockroaches, pollen, mold, etc.
Sometimes the allergic reactions can be life-threatening causing narrowing of the airways, making it difficult to breathe. Very less often dust mite allergy may cause an anaphylactic reaction. Anaphylaxis is a medical condition which leads to facial flushing, itching, shock, sudden fall in blood pressure, constriction of airways, swollen throat, difficulty to breathe, etc.
Why this test is performed?
This test may be recommended to you if you experience certain symptoms like runny or stuffy nose, itching or irritation in the nose, itchy skin, itchy eyes, congestion, facial pain, scratchy throat, watery eyes, reddening of eyes, cough, swollen bluish-colored skin beneath the eyes, difficulty to breathe or sleep, etc. This test is also recommended to you if you are recently diagnosed with asthma because dust mite allergy might worsen asthma. This test may also be recommended to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment if you are diagnosed already.
Test Preparation
Inform your doctor if you are on any medications, have any allergies or underlying medical conditions before your Allergy House Dust Mite Enzyme Assay Skin. Your doctor will give specific instructions depending on your condition on how to prepare for Allergy House Dust Mite Enzyme Assay Skin.
No specific preparation is required for this dust mite allergy skin test.
Understanding your test results
After getting exposed to dust mites if you develop hives, which are raised bumps at the test location that are at least 3mm in size may indicate that you have the allergy to dust mites.
If there is no reaction or hives present on the skin after getting exposed to other dust mites then it may indicate that you are not allergic to dust mites.
| Gender | Age groups | Value |
| UNISEX | All age groups | A wheal and flare reaction of atleast 3mm indicates that the patient is allergic to the substance |