The Timeline Selected records of investigations into house dust mites, their impact on health and how doctors have responded to the known risk. Suitable for students; All referenced papers can be obtained from the British Library 2006   36  Crystal structure of the major house dust mite allergen, Der f2 35  Skin Testing 34  ‘Parasites and Allergy’ 33  All 20 Allergens must be taken into account when assessing immune reactions 32  Mite allergen activity can also be found in pathogenic micro-organisms 31  The allergenicity of a wide range of house dust mite antigens 30  Dog dermatitis can be caused by allergens from house dust mites. 29  Pollens, mite allergy and eye disease - A triangle of concern 28  Reduce the asthma epidemic by encouraging a healthy gut flora, low allergen living, outdoor exercise, and a balanced diet 2005   27  Radioactive tags, attached to a major mite allergen, follow the progress of the allergen from lungs to lymph nodes associated with lungs, as well as to kidneys and liver of allergic mice. 26  Health improvements and a reduction in drug usage have been recorded in children with asthma by covering beds and bedding with micro porous material to reduce mite allergen exposure 25  Increased levels of indoor mould are blamed for the development and persistence of asthma in adults 2004   24  Allergy and allergic disease costs the UK taxpayer over (£) 1 billion each year. 2003   23  Mite allergen avoidance to improve asthma, is still not accepted as effective by medical establishments. 22  Dogs can suffer from eczema because of house dust mite exposure 21  The major mite allergen (Der p1) can downgrade a natural lung defence against common and harmful bacteria. 2001   20  A clinical paper describes how mite allergens can cause itchy, red or watery eyes by breaching the protective barriers of the eye to cause conjunctivitis 19  By combining efficient air conditioning with effective control of humidity indoors dramatic reductions of house dust mite colonies were reported and maintained. 2000   18  Allergens found in mite droppings are also found in the fluid surrounding unborn babies 17  A clinical study demonstrates how to achieve and maintain very low house dust mite allergen homes 16  Medical confirmation that sensitization to house dust mites in childhood is dose-dependent, and in children with mite-related asthma further exposure can make their asthma worse 1998   15  Doctors blame poor research designs for the lack of clinical evidence on how to reduce mite exposure to improve asthma. 14  Scientists explain how mite allergens can cause and trigger allergic asthma. 1997   13  New asthma guidelines recommend mite allergen avoidance in asthma management. 1996   12  Evidence describing how mite droppings can cause ‘allergic-like’ symptoms before true allergy develops. 1995   11  A paper reviewing all research on mites, their biology and role in allergy is published; plus scientific evidence of cell damage caused by mite droppings is made known to doctors 1993   10  The revised British Thoracic Society (BTS) Guidelines for the Management of Asthma did not support mite avoidance in asthma 1992   9  A further mite avoidance study in children with asthma demonstrates health improvements; plus doctors write in unison to support allergen avoidance in disease management. 1990   8  Scientists warn that mite enzymes (allergens) may breach lung defenses by dissolving delicate tissue. 7  Doctors describe a link between mite exposure, childhood asthma and a specific gene. 1988   6  Early DNA analysis identifies the major mite allergen (Der p1) as an active enzyme. 1987   5  Thirty-five doctors, supported by the World Health Organization, describe the house dust mite as a major cause of allergic disease worldwide. 1983   4  Mite avoidance studies demonstrate health improvements in children and adults with asthma. 1978   3  The mite is recognised as the major trigger for childhood asthma in the UK. 1971   2  Immunotherapy, a pioneering treatment for mite allergy, is investigated in clinics. 1967   1  Scientists confirm that the common house dust mite is a major source of allergy causing dust indoors.