Does Dust mite Immunotherapy Work and How Much Does It Cost?

November 4, 2024

What Is Dust Mite Immunotherapy?

Dust mites are tiny creatures that live in places like beds, carpets, and sofas. They are too small to see without a microscope. Some people are allergic to dust mites, which can cause sneezing, itchy eyes, or a runny nose.

Dust mite immunotherapy is a treatment that helps make people less allergic to dust mites. It works like a training program for the body. By giving the body small amounts of the stuff from dust mites, it learns to handle them better over time.

Starting Dust Allergy Shot

Test Dust Allergy: First, doctors see if dust mites are causing your allergies. They might use a skin test or a blood test
Starting Dust Allergy Shot: If you are allergic, doctors give you tiny amounts of dust mite allergens. This can be through small drops under your tongue or dust allergy injection
Regular Visits for 3-5 years: You will need to get this treatment regularly. It helps your body slowly get used to dust mites and potentially reducing allergic reactions
Reduced Allergy Symptoms: Over time, you will start to feel better and have fewer allergy symptoms.

Does Immunotherapy Work?

Yes and No!

Dust mite immunotherapy can lead to significant improvements in allergy symptoms for many individuals however rarely is it a cure:

Only 5-20%:Will be cured of a Dust Mite Allergy
70% to 80%: of people experience a reduction in their symptoms.

🔗 S. R., et al. (2010). "Allergen immunotherapy: evidence for efficacy and safety." Allergy.

This is why tackling a dust mite allergy should always be a combination of

Eliminating the root cause - Remove Dust Mites - Read our 6 step guide to get rid of dust mites here. Which has ZERO side effects to your health
Medication if you can afford and are willing to undergo the risks of immunotherapy and medication, then you can do this at the same time as removing dust mites from your home.

How Much Does Dust Mite Immunotherapy Cost?

The cost of dust mite immunotherapy can vary based on where you live, the type of treatment you choose, and the healthcare provider. Here’s a general idea of the costs involved:

Initial Visit and Testing: This usually costs around $150 to $300. The first visit includes tests to check if you are allergic to dust mites.
Treatment Costs:

Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT): If you take drops under your tongue, it might cost £300 to £800 per year for the medicine.
Subcutaneous Immunotherapy (SCIT): If you get allergy shots, the cost can be £1,000 to $3,000 per year which includes the shots and visits to the doctor.

Overall Treatment Cost: Dust mite immunotherapy usually lasts about 3 to 5 years. So, the total cost can range from £3,000 to £20,000 or more over the entire treatment period.

This can be a lot of money for no guaranteed result, that's why it's always best to remove dust mites from your home which has a 100% effective rate of reducing your dust mite allergy symptoms

20% to 40% of immunotherapy patients experience a return after completing a 3-5 year course

Is Immunotherapy The Most Effective Dust Mite Allergy Treatment?

Yes but due to its limiations below you should look to reduce dust in your home at the same time:

Only 5-20%:Will be cured of a Dust Mite Allergy
70% to 80%: of people experience a reduction in their symptoms.
Up to 40% of immunetherpy pateitns experience symptoms returning after a 3-5 year course.
Numerous side affects such as Irritation, itching, and swelling; digestive upset, nausea, and diarrhea; sneezing, hives; and, rarely, life-threatening anaphylactic shock.

Removing dust mites from your home has a 100% effective rate as you are removing the root cause. Find out how to do this here