Mite-sensitive asthma of childhood: Trial of avoidance measures

• DOI: 10.1136/adc.49.9.716
• Publication Date: 2008-12-22T21:14:24Z
• Authors: J. K. Sarsfield; G. Gowland; R. Toy; A. L. E. Norman
• Keywords: Immunodiffusion; Mites; Adolescent; Immune Sera; Dust; Beds; Environment; Immunoglobulin E; Nose; Asthma; 3. Good health; Heating; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Child, Preschool; Housing; Humans; Child; Skin Tests

A trial of the effects of measures designed to reduce exposure to house-dust mites was performed on 14 children with mite-sensitive asthma. These measures reduced mite infestation of the beds and were associated with clinical improvement of asthmatic symptoms. Immunological studies revealed a tendency for levels of total serum IgE to fall during the course of the trial, but no such changes were apparent in the levels of anti-mite specific serum IgE. Possible reasons for this discrepancy are discussed. The conclusion of the study is that the use of a plastic mattress cover and the other inexpensive and harmless avoidance measures described should be advised for all asthmatic children with evidence of mite-sensitivity before resort to drug prophylaxis or hyposensitization procedures.