Skin prick testing after 14 years The health of selected subjects, who were originally enrolled in a cross sectional study on allergen sensitization in 1984, were revisited and reviewed in 1998.  They were originally from a wide age range of 14 to 64 and all were living in a city with a low and stable level of air pollution. The health of selected subjects, who were originally enrolled in a cross sectional study on allergen sensitization in 1984, were revisited and reviewed in 1998.  They were originally from a wide age range of 14 to 64 and all were living in a city with a low and stable level of air pollution.  The researchers found a significant increase in sensitization and allergic symptoms to common indoor allergens, especially the house dust mite for all age groups and that this increase is best seen in subjects with conjunctivitis and rhinitis rather than symptoms of asthma.  This report also reviews other large population studies, many of which agree with its findings.  As rhinitis is known to be a risk factor for asthma it will be interesting to review this population in 2007. Reference: ‘Skin prick-test reactivity to aeroallergens and allergic symptoms in an urban population of central Italy: a longitudinal study’, Dottorini ML et al, Clinical and Experimental Allergy, 2007: 37; 188-196 Other Public Research What is the house dust mite How mites can cause and trigger allergic disease  What can be done to reduce the health risks from mite exposure What other ‘events’ make mites more harmful . Ozone from photocopiers and mite allergens  House dust mites can make lung inflammation worse Life in house dust mite droppings Flu and the house dust mite Dog dermatitis is caused by specialized allergens from house dust mites.  All 20 allergens from house dust mites must be taken into account in assessing reactions Skin Testing for Allergies Skin prick testing after 14 years