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Dust Mites |
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Dust mites disrupt protective function in
skin
Dust mites, which infest
the cleanest homes and thrive in beddings and
carpets, disrupt the protective function of the
skin, leaving it vulnerable to other allergens
and irritants in the environment, a study has
found.
House dust mites and their droppings have long
been linked to attacks of asthma and eczema, and
a group of researchers in Japan has offered an
explanation as to how that happens.
In a paper to be published in the Journal of Investigative
Dermatology, the researchers found that mites
and their feces contain an enzyme, which destroys
the protective function of the skin, leaving it
vulnerable to other irritants.
"People go to hospital only after they develop
severe (skin) disease, but little is known as
to what happened or what caused it," Toshiro
Takai of the Atopy (Allergy) Research Center at
the Juntendo University School of Medicine in
Tokyo told Reuters.
"Our study suggests that it may be due to
the disruption of the barrier function of the
skin (by the dust mite)."
In their experiment, the scientists dabbed hairless
mice with solution containing the mite enzyme
and observed that the rodents soon suffered water
loss on their skins.
They then dabbed the mice with riboflavin - or
vitamin B2 - which is accepted in the scientific
community as a substitute for allergens and irritants
in the environment.
"We observed in the mice transepidermal water
loss, which is an indication of disruption of
the skin barrier. We also observed the penetration
of riboflavin into the skin," Takai said.
Takai said the finding provides an explanation
for skin-related allergies in humans and he hopes
dermatologists would investigate more closely
into the role of the dust mite.
"In a healthy person, the barrier is complete
and irritants can't get into the skin. But partial
disruption of the barrier facilitates passage
of allergens and other irritants," he said.
According to the World Health Organization, asthma
affected 300 million people worldwide in 2005,
killing 255,000 of them. The death figure is expected
to increase by 20 percent in 10 years' time if
urgent action if not taken.
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