The role of house dust mite elimination in the management of childhood asthma: an unresolved issue.

A Boner, L Pescollderungg, M Silverman

Journal: Allergy 2003;57 Suppl 74():23-31

PMID: 12371910

Abstract

Indoor allergens are likely to be direct environmental causes of asthma and mite exposure, and sensitization is the most important environmental risk factor for childhood asthma in temperate zones. Analagous to occupational asthma, allergen avoidance in asthmatic children sensitized and exposed to mite allergens is associated with a reduction in airway hyperresponsiveness and symptoms associated with improvement in lung function. The long-term effect of this strategy needs to be prospectively evaluated considering both the timing and duration of exposure, as well as the timing and duration of removal. In order to be successful, it is important to achieve and maintain a major reduction on allergen levels, for a long period of time.

Address: Department of Pediatrics, University of Verona, Italy.

DOI: 10.1034/j.1398-9995.57.s74.5.x

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MeSH Terms: Air Pollutants, Air Pollution, Indoor, Allergens, Asthma, Bronchial Hyperreactivity, Child, Child Welfare, Disease Management, Humans, Life Style, Prevalence, Pyroglyphidae