Abstract
More than ninety percent of asthmatic children are sensitized to house dust mite (HDM). It is important to eradicate the allergen from their household. We examined if reduction of mite allergen can contribute to sensitization to HDM. Sixteen asthmatics sensitized to HDM aged between four and eleven were recruited. They were assigned alternately into group A or B in order of recruitment. Professional cleaning staff cleaned the household at the first visit. Then in group A the staff visited monthly to advise and help the family clean their households by themselves using the mops offered by the staff. In group B the family cleaned their household as in the same way as usual. The amount of HDM allergen were measured before, just after the first cleaning, and one year after starting intervention. The patients’ total IgE, specific IgE to HDM, Childhood Asthma Control Test (C-ACT) and treatment score for asthma were compared before and after the intervention. The mite allergen in living room in group A was significantly reduced after one year. Specific IgE to HDM were significantly reduced after one year in group A. Other parameters such as C-ACT and treatment score for asthma were not statistically different. The education of cleaning using the mops by professional staff may be effective in keeping reduction of mite allergen and specific IgE to HDM in asthmatic children.
