House dust mite allergy: acceptance and practicability of recommended avoidance measures

House dust mite allergy is a common cause of perennial allergic rhinitis an d bronchial asthma. Allergen avoidance measures are acknowledged procedures to reduce symptoms. In this study we evaluated whether patients with mite allergy have performed the recommended measures to reduce the mite allergen content. 508 patients with proven mite allergy received a questionnaire. T hey were asked whether they had performed preventive procedures, whether th e procedures reduced symptoms, and whether the mattress-covers caused any s leep disturbance. Measurements of mite allergens (Der p1 and f1) were done in 19 homes. 203 patients responded to the questionnaire; 46% indicated tha t they had not performed any measurements. Main reasons were a low degree o f disease activity, high costs and concerns regarding sleeping comfort. The sleeping comfort was not disturbed by the 3 mattress covers (Allergy Contr ol Original and Perfekt, Allergocover, and Medtex) evaluated. 89% of the pa tients reported less symptoms after having had acquired mattress-covers, an d 76% indicated to use less medications. The analysis of mite allergen cont ent revealed low levels in dust of covered mattresses, indicating that the covers were impermeable for mite allergens. The study shows that patients w ith mite allergy require an intensive counselling to better understand the usefulness of mite allergen preventions for acute and chronic symptoms, in particular for the reduction of unspecific hyperresponsiveness. A financial support for the acquisition of mattress covers by the health insurance see ms to be justified in view of the improved wellbeing of the patients and th e reduced costs for medications.