After Corinne Wright's baby was born seven years ago she suffered a series of blows to her heath. One of the most debilitating was the onset of chronic allergic rhinitis and sinusitis. She was forced to undergo a Rhinoplasty operation and then another corrective operation to rectify the damage to her nasal cartilage caused by the first operation, neither of which alleviated her condition at all. From that day to six weeks ago, she has had to take large doses of steroids, antibiotics, antihistamines and nasal sprays to try and suppress her symptoms. In fact she worked out that last year she had 10 courses of 12 steroids and began to dread the autumn when typically her condition steadily worsened.A process of elimination revealed that Corinne is extremely allergic to house dust mite as well as chemical household sprays. She had gone to great lengths to eliminate the dreaded house dust mite, however her large house is covered in old carpet which she cannot afford to replace. She was therefore spending a fortune on having them chemically cleaned on a regular basis, however the chemical solution to the problem was actually exacerbating her condition. In addition to which she was cleaning her bedroom, airing her bed and turning her mattress every day but found the process to the daily suppression techniques time consuming and exhausting.

A friend suggested that she tried a new product called Total Hygiene DMI from Health Guard and she has been using it religiously for several weeks now. She noticed an almost immediate improvement in her condition and can now go to bed without her nose running and can lie in bed without constantly snivelling, which as she wryly commented "has improved my relationship no end". She no longer needs to use her nasal sprays and has not had a prescription for steroids since.

Corrine feels that DMI has made a huge difference to her life. Before using it her immune system was constantly compromised and she felt permanently exhausted as a result of her condition, yet after a few full nights sleep and without the large numbers of drugs in her system, she is able to attack life with renewed vigour.

"I was wary of the product at first as I am so allergic to cleaning chemicals and household sprays, but I was reassured that it is organic and suitable for even the most sensitive people. I can't tell you what fantastic stuff this is and I would truly recommend it to anyone who suffers from allergic rhinitis, as it has been a real godsend for me! I must be saving the NHS a fortune in repeat prescriptions."

Glue Ear Case Study
EAR TODAY, GONE TOMORROW

"It has been recognised by doctors that chronic perennial allergic rhinitis combined with chronic otitis media (glue ear) may be caused by an allergy to the house dust mite. House dust mite allergens are a contributing factor in vulnerable patients … often children.1,2".

Glue ear is a common problem among young children, particularly those aged between two and five years. The condition occurs when sticky fluid collects in the ear and causes a blockage in the Eustachian tube - the one that connects the ear to the throat. "The nose is connected to the ear by the Eustachian tube. The function of this tube is to help balance the air pressure on the inside of the eardrum. It also drains away any fluids produced by the ear itself. The tube becomes dysfunctional when blocked by mucus from the nose, causing the air in the middle ear to be trapped. This trapped air is replaced by a sticky secretion, which adheres to the small bones that are essential for hearing. This effect may lead to degrees of deafness. The condition is referred to as 'glue ear'. It is important to identify allergy to house dust mites so that it can be treated. 3, 4"

If left untreated, glue ear can result in permanent loss of hearing. According to the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID), around 5 per cent of children get recurrent glue ear.

The symptoms of the condition are often difficult to detect. However, the most common is that the child fails to develop expected levels of language and speech, due to loss of hearing. As a result, children with glue ear can often display behavioural problems because of the frustration of not being able to hear properly.

Scientists at St George's Medical School have discovered that the pathogens in dust mite excrement, bacteria, mould and fungi, cause allergic reactions in humans. Dust mites are arachnids, members of the spider family, that live in our mattresses, carpets, curtains and soft furnishings and which feed on the skin cells we shed. They leave excrement-containing pathogens everywhere they go. The average bed harbours 2 million dust mites and the average six-year-old pillow may owe 10% of its weight to dust mites and their waste as well as mould and mildew!

1. Fireman P. 'Allergy and Allergic Diseases' Blackwell Science 1997;2 Otitis Media: Chapter 104. Edited by Kay A.B. 2. Meltzer E.O.,Orgel H.A., Jalowayski A.A., 'Histamine levels and nasal cytology in children with chronic otitis media and rhinitis'. Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology: May 1995 :74;406-410 3. Naclerio R, Solomon W. 'Rhinitis and Inhalant Allergens' JAMA Dec 10 1997 278;No.22:1842-1848 4. Brostoff J, Gamlin L. 'The Complete Guide to Food Allergy and Intolerance' Bloomsbury 1992 ISBN 0-7475-1260-4