Could a Patch A Day Keep Your Asthma Symptoms at Bay?

You may have seen the patches worn by smokers who want to kick the habit, but you could soon be seeing asthma sufferers turning to patches to treat their condition.

Dust mites, or the protein in their droppings, are thought to be responsible for setting off asthma attacks in the same way cleaning chemicals and smoke does.

The droppings are in the air we breathe in the home and for most people, make no difference to their health. But if they are inhaled or touched by someone who is allergic to them it results in the immune system fighting the threat and releasing a large amount of the chemical histamine.

This then leads to inflammation and irritation in the airways making it difficult to get enough air to the lungs.

Dust mites like dark places and are found on pillows, mattresses, curtains, carpets and even your child’s soft toys.

Asthma sufferers have always been advised to take steps to prevent dust mites bringing on an attack. Tips include wiping your walls and floors with wet cloths, using plastic curtains and freezing cuddly toys once a month to kill dust mites.

But there may be an easier way to stop dust mites leaving you struggling for breath; patches worn on the arm or stomach.

Unlike the smokers’ patches which contain nicotine, it contains a protein produced by dust mites which gradually releases into the skin.

It is thought the introduction of the protein into the skin will stop the immune system over-reacting when it comes into contact with dust mite droppings around the home.

The patch, ViaSkin, contains a capsule of manufactured versions of the protein responsible and, in small amounts, can be released into the skin regularly to build up immunity to it.

It is hoped that, as well as treating asthma sufferers, it could be used as a preventative measure to stop people, particularly children, from developing the condition in the first place.

The patch has so far only been tested on mice, but there are plans for a human trial. Scientists are also looking into developing patches for people with peanut and milk allergies.