[Usefulness of dehumidifiers in the reduction of acari concentrations]

This study analyzes the role of dehumidifiers in asthma prophylaxis. The efficacy of dehumidifiers in the reduction of Dermatophagoides in the bedrooms of 9 patients with specific allergies was evaluated, along with success in reducing in high concentrations of mite allergens (D. pteronissinus I). Results were compared with those for a control group of 8 patients with the same allergy. In the group in whose homes a dehumidifier was installed, there was a significant reduction in relative humidity in the bedroom (54.84 +/- 4.33% and 45.23 +/- 4.92%; p < 0.05) as well as a significant decreased in concentrations of D. pteronissinus I (2.313 +/- 1.831 to 0.42 +/- 0.44 microgram/g; p < 0.05). This was not the case of patients in the control group (51.15 +/- 7.38% to 60.5 +/- 6.15%; p < 0.05 and 3.28 micrograms/g +/- 4.46 to 4.24 +/- 5.10; p = NS).