Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.
Dust mites, which were discovered in 1964, are microscopic arachnids (resembling tiny spiders). They are about
1/3 mm in length and are not visible to the naked eye. They have eight legs, are blind, and naturally live indoors. Their presence does not indicate that the house is dirty. This is because usual cleaning procedures, such as vacuuming and dusting, do not eliminate them.
Dust mites have "sticky" pads at the ends of their legs that help them to firmly attach to fibers, which allows them to live deep within carpeting, upholstery, and mattresses. Most of the mites found in houses are from the Dermatophagoides family, with pteronyssinus and farinae being the most common species. (Dermatophagoides comes from Latin and means skin-eating.
Pteronyssinus comes from Latin and means feather-loving. Farinae is Latin for flour.) Fortunately, dust mites do not bite, spread disease, or actually live on humans.
What conditions are most favorable to dust mites?
Dust mites thrive in warm, humid places. The ideal temperature for dust mites
ranges from 65 to 80 degrees F, a common range for indoor room temperatures.
Since dust mites have no means of drinking, they are totally dependent on the
humidity surrounding them for water. They live best at a relative humidity above
55%. However, also be aware that monitoring the humidity really isn't sufficient
to control dust mites. As the humidity falls, dust mites will retreat from the
surface. However, even in very dry conditions, it can take quite a few months to
eliminate the dust-mite population.
Dust mites derive their food supply from human secretions and the skin cells we
shed. (The average human sheds up to 1.5 grams of skin particles per day. A gram
is about the weight of a paper clip.) The mites thrive in articles such as
feather pillows and stuffed animals that collect sloughed skin cells and
secretions. The most favorable conditions for dust mite growth are found in the
bedroom. Their favorite breeding grounds are mattresses, pillows, and box
springs, as well as blankets, curtains, carpeting, and other fabric items in the
room.
The perfect climatic conditions for dust mites occur in North America in the mid-
and southern Atlantic coast, Gulf Coast, central Midwest, Pacific Northwest, and
British Columbia. Dust mites are rarely found in dry climates where the
elevation is over 5,000 feet above sea level.
Eczema, also known as dermatitis, is a general term for many types of skin inflammation. The most common form of eczema is atopic dermatitis. The other forms of eczema include: contact eczema, seborrheic eczema, Nummular eczema, Neurodermatitis, stasis dermatitis, and dyshidrotic eczema. Symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of eczema may vary from person to person and may depend on the type of eczema.
Allergic rhinitis symptoms include an itchy, runny nose, sneezing, itchy ears, eyes, and throat. Seasonal allergic rhinitis (also called hay fever) is usually caused by pollen in the air. Perennial allergic rhinitis is a type of chronic rhinitis and is a year–round problem, often caused by indoor allergens, such as dust, animal dander, and pollens that may exist at the time. Treatment of chronic rhinitis and post nasal drip are dependant upon the type of rhinitis condition.
Asthma is a common disorder in which
chronic inflammation of the bronchial tubes (bronchi) makes them swell, narrowing the airways. Signs and symptoms include shortness of breath, chest tightness,
cough and wheezing.
An allergy refers to a misguided reaction by our immune system in response to bodily contact with certain foreign substances. When these allergens come in contact with the body, it causes the immune system to develop an allergic reaction in people who are allergic to it. It is estimated that 50 million North Americans are affected by allergic conditions. The parts of the body that are prone to react to allergies include the eyes, nose, lungs, skin, and stomach. Common allergic disorders include hay fever, asthma, allergic eyes, allergic eczema, hives, and allergic shock.
Eye allergy (or allergic eye disease) are typically associated with hay fever and atopic dermatitis. Medications and cosmetics may cause eye allergies. Allergic eye conditions include allergic conjunctivitis, conjunctivitis with atopic dermatitis, vernal keratoconjunctivitis, and giant papillary conjunctivitis. Dry eye, tear-duct obstruction, and conjunctivitis due to infection are frequently confused with eye allergies. Eye allergies may be treated with topical antihistamines, decongestants, topical mast-cell stabilizers, topical antiinflammatory drugs, systemic medications, and allergy shots.
Mold exposure may cause symptoms in people who are sensitive to molds. Symptoms of mold allergy include sneezing, runny nose, wheezing, coughing, redness of the eyes, and rash. Prevent mold growth by keeping indoor humidity low, between 30%-50%, using bathroom fans when showering, repairing plumbing leaks quickly, and using an air conditioner during humid seasons.
Hay fever (allergic rhinitis) is an irritation of the nose caused by pollen and is associated with the following allergic symptoms: nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, eye and nose itching, and tearing eyes. Avoidance of known allergens is the recommended treatment, but if this is not possible, antihistamines, decongestants, and nasal sprays may help alleviate symptoms.
Children's health is focused on the well-being of children from conception through adolescence. There are many aspects of children's health, including growth and development, illnesses, injuries, behavior, mental illness, family health and community health.
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