Dust mite immunotherapy: how it works, who can get it, and what to do while you wait

Immunotherapy is the only treatment that can change how your immune system reacts to dust mites, rather than just easing the symptoms. It works, but it takes years, it is not for everyone, and it works best when you also cut how much dust mite allergen you are breathing in every night.

What is dust mite immunotherapy?

Also called desensitisation, immunotherapy gives you small, regular doses of house dust mite allergen so your immune system gradually learns to tolerate it. Over time, symptoms such as a blocked nose, sneezing, itchy eyes and allergic asthma can become milder, and many people need less medication.

It is usually given in one of two ways:

• Sublingual: a daily tablet or drops that dissolve under the tongue, taken at home after the first dose is given in clinic.
• Injections: regular injections given in a specialist clinic.

Treatment normally lasts around three years, and benefits can build over the first year.

Who can get it?

Immunotherapy is a specialist treatment. In the UK it is prescribed through allergy clinics, usually for people whose dust mite allergy is confirmed by testing and whose symptoms are not controlled by everyday medication such as antihistamines and nasal sprays. Access has been widening on the NHS, but availability still varies by area. Your GP is the place to start: they can arrange testing and a referral if it is appropriate for you.

It is not suitable for everyone. Severe or poorly controlled asthma, some other health conditions and some medicines can rule it out, which is why it is only started after a specialist assessment.

What to do while you wait (and alongside treatment)

Referral and treatment take time. In the meantime, the single biggest thing you can control is how much allergen you are exposed to, and most of that exposure happens in bed. Your mattress, pillows and duvet hold more dust mites than anywhere else in your home, and you spend a third of your life breathing just above them.

1. Seal your mattress, pillows and duvet in zip-sealed encasements. Mites inside are trapped and new ones cannot get in. This works from the first night.
2. Wash bedding weekly at 60°C. 40°C does not kill dust mites.
3. Keep bedroom humidity below 50%. Dust mites struggle to survive in drier air.
4. Vacuum with a sealed HEPA filter so the allergen is not blown back into the room.

Cutting exposure does not replace immunotherapy, but it means less allergen is constantly re-triggering your immune system, and many people find their symptoms improve enough to make a real difference to their sleep.

Seal your bed with the Protector Set →

Questions people ask

Does dust mite immunotherapy work?

For many people with confirmed dust mite allergy it reduces symptoms and the need for medication, particularly for allergic rhinitis. Results vary, and it needs to be taken consistently for the full course.

How long does it take to work?

Some people notice a difference within months, but the full benefit usually builds over the first year, and treatment typically continues for about three years.

Can I buy dust mite immunotherapy?

No. It is a prescription treatment that must be started and supervised by an allergy specialist.

Should I still use encasements if I am having immunotherapy?

Yes. Reducing your exposure is recommended alongside any allergy treatment, and sealing the bed is the most effective way to do it.

Read next: Dust mite allergy treatments, ranked · Dust mite allergy medication explained

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This guide is general information, not medical advice. Always speak to your GP or pharmacist before starting, stopping or changing any treatment, especially for asthma or a child. Questions about which products to choose? Call Richard on 0330 122 1646.