Six of every ten Spaniards have symptoms of allergy to house dust mites.

– only 15% had been diagnosed with

-the Spaniards are Europeans who consider it necessary to consult a specialist when symptoms appear

– in winter under household ventilation and use of blankets and duvets favours the spread of mites

Madrid, February 2012.- six of every ten Spaniards have symptoms of allergy to mites dust, according to the second part of the results of the European survey on allergy to house dust mites. The survey, conducted by Stallergenes S.A., is the first of this kind carried out in Europe and has been carried out among more than 4,000 citizens of Spain, France, Germany and Italy.

Repeated sneezing, moqueo, nasal tamponade, eye irritation and breathing difficulties are symptoms of allergy to house dust mites widespread among the Spanish population and can be experienced throughout the year. However, despite its high prevalence, only 15% of Spaniards who recognize suffer them has been diagnosed. For Dr. Antonio Valero, President of the Societat Catalana d ’ Alergologia i Clinical Immunology and allergist at the Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, the reasons for the low diagnosis of allergy to mites in house dust, the second cause of respiratory allergies in Europe, may be several: on the one hand, the lack of adequate training in allergic diseases in undergraduate and postgraduate, and on the other hand, the lack of Allergists in public health in order to make the etiological diagnosis proper, in a comprehensive manner, in persons with allergic diseases of any ”.

The Spaniards are the Europeans more importance providing the specialist in the approach of the allergy to house dust mites. For 93% of Spaniards consultation with the specialist is necessary, being the parents of allergic children and those over 50 years the more convinced of this need. In addition, the majority of Spaniards qualify this allergy as a true disease ”. It is surprising that, despite this, the number of diagnoses is so low.

Another interesting point of the survey is that the Spaniards are among Europeans, who brought in more desensitization as the medical solution more effective (48%).

However, Spanish, French, Germans and Italians agree most ensure that they are poorly informed about the medical solutions available to treat this allergy and consider it difficult to treat (6 Europeans of every 10 claim as well). True, is not easy treatment of allergy to mites, as clinical manifestations can be very heterogeneous in its duration and intensity. But have therapeutic strategies that can substantially improve disease and modulate the immune response of subjects with allergy to mites, coming in many cases to clinical improvement with total or partial ”, indicates Dr. Valero.

Mites in winter

Mites, invisible to the naked eye, are present in all Spanish households inevitably. However, their number increases in winter because lower ventilation of dwellings and the use of blankets and quilts. In addition, change of clothes from station increases its number, saved clothes accumulate dust and mites and get her moves towards the environment ”, explains the President of the Societat Catalana d ’ Alergologia i Immunology clinic.
A single mattress can contain 2 million of mites and reproduced at breakneck speed, because a female lays 20 to 80 eggs that become adults in about 3 months. To prevent its spread the doctor Valero recommended as basic preventive measures do not accumulate dust in homes, that dust does not pass surfaces to the environment when the cleaning and the use of acaricides sprays, as well as covers special anti dust mite for pillows and mattresses. And, in the case of presenting symptoms, always go to the Allergist.

Methodology

The European survey on allergy to house dust mites has been done by Stallergenes S.A. in France, Germany, Italy and Spain. A representative sample of 4.016 people of ages 18 years took part in the survey, with the following distribution:

-France: 1.001

-Germany: 1.002

-Italy: 1.004

-Spain: 1,009

respondents – representative sample of national populations–responded to a questionnaire on line 35 questions.

About Stallergenes

Stallergenes S.A. is a biopharmaceutical company international, a leader in the manufacture and innovation of allergen immunotherapy treatments. Stallergenes sells its products to prevent and control the allergic disease in 50 countries, through more than 10 subsidiaries in Europe and 40 agreements of distribution and collaboration around the world.

The factory of Stallergenes in Antony (Íle-de-France) is the largest center of production of allergen preparations specially for a patient (APEP) in the world, making it more than 150 different allergens to treat more than 500,000 patients each year.

About 20% of the annual turnover of pharmaceutical company it is intended for research and development. In 2011 Stallergenes invoiced a volume of EUR 235 million.

Stallergenes Ibérica S.A. is the subsidiary of Stallergenes S.A. Spain Stallergenes Ibérica s.a. owns one portfolio of products for the treatment of 95% of patients affected by respiratory allergic diseases and it has been, since its implementation in Spanish territory for 12 years, by a strong work of research into new products.