A. Dust mite allergy is a response to a microscopic organism that lives in the dust that is found in all dwellings and workplaces. Dust mite allergens, perhaps the most common cause of perennial allergic rhinitis, usually produce symptoms similar to pollen allergy and can also trigger asthma.
Mites are a member of the arachnid family, which includes spiders, chiggers, and ticks.
There are two species belonging to the genus Dermatophagoides, which are commonly found in North America. Both species feed on human skin, pollen, fungi, bacteria, and animal dander. Dust mites and their droppings are known allergens. It is a protein in the mites and their feces to which people develop an allergic response. A gram of house dust may contain 100 to 500 mites, and each mite produces 10 to 20 waste particles a day.