Studies relating to house dust allergies

Allergy sufferers are oversensitive to certain substances present in the environment, the so-called allergens. The microscopically small house dust mites trigger allergic symptoms in those who are allergic to them. Mites are natural and harmless and coexist with humans in every apartment and every house. The shed scales of human skin are the house dust mite’s main source of food. House dust mites do not feed on feathers. In order to grow and reproduce, house dust mites need a special microclimate: high humidity and ambient temperatures of approx. 25°C.
It is not the mites themselves but the allergens contained in their excretions that lead to the painful allergic symptoms: watering eyes, nasal congestion, coughing and breathing difficulties, which may strongly interfere with the allergy sufferer’s quality of life.

According to recent scientific findings the use of down- and feather-filled duvets and pillows is safe also for people suffering from house dust mite allergy. When purchasing these goods you should seek advice and make sure that certain criteria are met. The NOMITE® label indicates that the bedding is suitable for house-dust-mite-allergic persons.

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Studies on the Topic

Feather bedding and childhood asthma associated with house dust mite sensitisation: a randomised controlled trial.
Glasgow NJ, Ponsonby AL, Kemp A, Tovey E, van Asperen P, McKay K, Forbes S.
Arch Dis Child. 2011 Jun;96(6):541-7. Epub 2011 Mar 30.

Evaluation of group 1 mite allergen levels in synthetic and feather pillows: absence of difference
Purohit A, Shao J, Lieutier-Colas F, Pauli G, de Blay F.
Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2005 Feb;94(2):308-9.

Permeability of synthetic and feather pillows to live house dust mites and house dust.
Siebers R, Nam HS, Crane J.
Clin Exp Allergy. 2004 Jun;34(6):888-90.

The allergenicity of feather bedding material
Jones KP, Rolf S, Stingl C, Walters GE, Davies BH.
Allergy. 2002 Mar;57(3):266.

The use of a feather quilt, childhood asthma and allergic rhinitis: a prospective cohort study.
Nafstad P, Nystad W, Jaakkola JJ.
Clin Exp Allergy. 2002 Aug;32(8):1150-4.

Expert opinion on the assessment of the prevalence of keratin allergy
Prof. Dr. med. Dietrich Hofmann, Former Head of the Paediatric Institute of the University Hospital of Frankfurt/Main, Germany.

Summary: Expert opinion on the assessment of the prevalence of keratin allergy
Prof. Dr. med. Dietrich Hofmann, Former Head of the Paediatric Institute of the University Hospital of Frankfurt/Main, Germany

“House dust mite allergen in pillows“
Expert opinion issued by the Asthma Research Group, Wellington School of Medicine, New Zealand

“Ecological investigations into house dust mite allergy“,
abstract, Prof Hans W. Jürgens, Institute for Industrial Anthropology, University of Kiel

Studies edited by
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