Dust mites may cause asthma in some children

Both dust mites and pet dander aggravate asthmatics

January 20, 2000
Web posted at: 4:59 p.m. EST (2159 GMT)

(CNN) -- New evidence shows indoor substances, like dust mites which live in carpets and bedding, may lead to or worsen asthma in children, according to a committee report from the Institute of Medicine (IOM).

More than 17 million Americans suffer from asthma, with those most affected being children in high poverty urban areas, according to health officials. For years scientists have been working to discover why this number is on the rise.

"The committee found that a number of common indoor substances were strongly associated with the development and worsening of asthma symptoms in sensitive individuals," said IOM committee member Dr. Diane Gold.

	ASTHMA:
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The evidence that house dust mites can actually cause asthma symptoms to develop in predisposed individuals and worsen the symptoms of known asthmatics is strong.

For preschool children secondhand smoke is also a known allergen. Other known asthma triggers are cat dander, and cockroaches.

"You're going to have cockroaches in the neighborhood and perhaps in your house. And they turn out to be the most important indoor allergen in the inner city community," said Dr. Michael Kaliner of Washington Hospital Center.

Exposure to dogs, fungi, molds and cold viruses as well as malfunctioning gas appliances can also contribute to worsening asthma symptoms. But there is inadequate evidence to link pesticides, spores, houseplants and rodent exposure to asthma, according to the IOM report.

"I think the Institute of Medicine report put into perspective what we know and what we still need to investigate," said Gold.

Children in high poverty urban areas are most affected by the chronic condition

Experts say doctors need to be more aggressive about checking asthma patients for allergies.

"People who wheeze more than two days a week should be evaluated for allergies as long-term treatment for their asthma," said Kaliner.

To avoid allergens, you can remove pets from the home, clean and exterminate your home regularly, eliminate chemical pollutants and control indoor humidity.

Because asthma is such a complex disease, the IOM report says more needs to be learned about the different allergens that can cause or trigger an asthma attack. The committee concluded there needs to be more interaction between researchers, health officials and those who design our indoor environments to make the air as allergy free as possible.