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One study found house dust mites to be the major cause of atopic disease in dogs and humans. Benzyl benzoate has been shown to be effective in eliminating house dust mites and decreasing symptoms of allergies to the mites in people. A study from the Netherlands determined the effectiveness of treating house dust mites and the effects of dogs allergic to the mites. Sixty dogs were determined to be allergic to house dust mites by skin allergy testing. Also, homes where these 60 dogs resided tested positive for house dust mite excretion indicating mites were present in these homes. All homes were treated with acarosan containing benzyl benzoate once a month until the house tested negative for dust mites. In this study, 48% of the dogs showed an excellent response with decreased allergy symptoms after the house treatment, while 36% showed a moderate response. Some of the dogs were allergic to other things as well, which may have decreased the response.

Benzyl benzoate was chosen for the house treatment due to its ease of application, inexpensive cost, lack of damage to treated surfaces, and lack of potential side effects. If your dog has allergic problems, house dust mites could be the source

How do you become allergic to house dust mites?

The excretion of the mites contains a number of protein substances. When these are inhaled or touch the skin, the body produces antibodies. These antibodies cause the release of a chemical called histamine that leads to swelling and irritation of the upper respiratory passages - typical asthma and hay fever symptoms. The predisposition for allergy is often hereditary.

Unlike pollen, dust mites are present all year round causing constant allergy - 'perennial' allergic rhinitis. The excretion from the mites dries out and can be launched into the air when someone walks over a rug, sits down in a chair, or shakes the bed clothes, giving allergic people immediate symptoms.