The NHS will now offer immunotherapy pill Acarizax so the body can become less sensitive to dust mites over time and halt constant runny nose and other symptoms
Thousands of people with severe dust mite allergies are to be offered the first ever tablet shown to reverse the condition.
Around six million Brits suffer with a constant runny nose and other symptoms triggered by dust in the home or workplace. In severe cases it can be debilitating and cause facial swelling, fatigue and affect people’s sleep, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) said.
The regulator is now offering the immunotherapy pill Acarizax for people aged 12 to 65 with persistent moderate to severe house dust mite allergic rhinitis. It delivers a fixed amount of house dust mite allergy extract every day so the body can become less sensitive to it over time, reducing symptoms.
Amena Warner, Head of Clinical Services at Allergy UK, said: “This is a landmark step. Many endure years of misery with nasal congestion, loss of smell and sneezing, impacting their sleep and daily living with little respite from symptoms. This can also affect mental wellbeing. With this treatment there is now hope for people who fit the criteria to be able to access this through the NHS.”
Nice said around 13,000 people in England could benefit from the therapy, officially called 12 SQ-HDM SLIT, which is taken for three years to build up the body’s resistance. It comes from the principle of “micro dosing” medicine which has been shown to cure allergies in some controlled trials.
Dr Helen Evans-Howells, a patient expert and a GP, said: “This drug could be life-changing for those affected by severe symptoms which include significant fatigue, congestion and facial swelling. The evidence clearly shows it offers an effective solution for those who have struggled with standard treatments.”
A dust mite allergy is not actually a sensitivity to the microscopic insects themselves but to the proteins in their droppings. More than one million Brits have allergic rhinitis caused by these droppings which is not adequately controlled. Common symptoms of allergic rhinitis include sneezing, coughing, an itchy nose, a runny or blocked nose, wheezing, loss of smell, hives, and itchy, red and watery eyes.
The NHS advises sufferers try the following steps to minimise exposure to dust mites.
- Use dust mite proof covers for bedding, pillows, and mattresses
- Replace feather and down pillows with synthetic ones
- Avoid using woolly blankets
- Vacuum regularly, especially in the bedroom and living room
- Use a high efficiency filtered vacuum cleaner
- Replace woven fabric furnishings with easy to clean options
Persistent allergy is when symptoms occur on four or more days a week for a month and have not been helped by standard treatments. These treatments include antihistamines like cetirizine or loratadine and nasal steroid sprays. People will be eligible for the new pill after medics have looked at their medical history and if they test positive for house dust mite allergy through the allergy skin prick test or specific immunoglobulin E [IgE]) test.
Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at Nice, said: “For people with house dust mite allergic rhinitis that is not controlled by standard treatments, this new cost-effective drug will have a significant positive impact on their quality of life. This is a chronic, debilitating condition which can prevent people from going to their workplace or school. This medicine has been found to improve symptoms, helping people to live their lives and has potential to be truly life changing.”