Asthma is a disease that affects the lungs and the airways that deliver air to the lungs. It causes periodic attacks of wheezing and difficult breathing. An asthma attack occurs when the airways become inflamed in response to a trigger, such as dust, mold, pets, exercise, or cold weather.

The theory that house dusts contain allergens causing asthmatic symptoms was first suggested in 1921. However, analysis did not come about until 1964 when a group of investigators led by Voohorst suggested that a mite may be responsible for the dust allergen. The results of such studies identified one mite species after another and showed variable distribution from one home to another, from one room to another of the same home, and from different home soft furnishings. Their predominance or survival depend on richness of their diet and suitability of temperature and relative humidity of their habitats. In general, humid homes have more mites and therefore more allergen.

Soon it was established that the fecal pellets from mites accumulate in home fabrics are allergenic. When these become airborne following our domestic activities such as vacuuming or dusting, we inevitably inhale these particles causing allergic reactions.

Today, global studies aimed ultimately towards management of this allergen has increased steadily. One of the ways of dealing with this is with Alpine products.