[Systematic cleaning of the mite antigens in home environment and its effects on atopic dermatitis]

Since mite antigen is an important causative agent of atopic dermatitis (AD), establishment and maintenance of a mite-reduced home environment would be an effective means to mitigate the symptoms. For establishing and maintaining a mite-reduced home environment, the structure of the residence, as well as the life style of the residents are important factors to consider. Based on a hypothesized behavior of the mite antigens a cleaning program was developed. Application of this program for establishing and maintaining a mite-reduced room in a patient's home produced a reduction in both mite population and mite antigen level, as well as a mitigation of the patient's symptoms. An air purifier was shown to have the ability to reduce, to a certain extant, specific mite antigens. The results suggest that an air purifier would be an effective contribution to the maintenance of a mite-reduced home environment.