In the Home

This page contains information about allergies within the home. You can find information about house dust mite, allergies to pets and mould allergy advice. All factsheets are downloadable at the bottom of this page.

Many of the allergens that cause an allergic reaction can be found in our own homes (and even our place of work).

House dust mites, for example, are tiny creatures, just a quarter of a millimetre long. House dust mite allergy is very common and associated with asthma, eczema and perennial allergic rhinitis. Mites are found in carpets, soft furnishing and clothing but a significant amount of exposure to house dust mite allergens happens in bed.  You can take measures to avoid house dust mite, which will help, but will not entirely remove dust mite allergens. 

Mould is another culprit.  It is the spores from the mould that cause symptoms such as rhinitis, itchy eyes, eczema and, most importantly, asthma. There are ways to avoid moulds - ventilation is key to help stop moulds flourishing in a damp environment.

And our domestic pets can also cause problems. Contact with our pets can lead to exposure to animal allergens and in the UK, pets are the second most important cause of allergy in the home and it’s not only cats and dogs. There can also be reactivity in children to rabbits, hamsters and other furry domestic pets.

For more information, symptoms and tips to avoid allergens in the home please see our fact sheets.