The management of house dust mite allergies.

A safe and practical home sanitation procedure for the removal of house dust mites (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) and their allergens is described. The severity of mite infestation was assessed with the use of the Acarex test, which measures the concentration of guanine in house dust, and all affected house textiles were then treated with an Acarosan product. The active ingredient of Acarosan is benzyl benzoate, which has been used as a scabicide for over 100 years. The results of several studies of Acarosan treatment were reviewed and it was concluded that use of the guanine test and Acarosan products allows many sensitized persons to control the concentration of house dust mite allergens in their homes.