Dust mite allergy is the most common respiratory allergy found in children. This is a very large medical concern, since it is estimated that dust mite allergy incidence is estimated in over 15% of children in Europe and in the United States and that this allergy is involved in 82% of severe asthma cases.
With respiratory allergies in young children, learned societies recommend treatment as early as possible to prevent respiratory complications such as asthma, wheezy bronchitis and allergic rhinitis. (source: Brozek, Jaci - Allergic Rhinitis and Its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) guidelines: Revision 2010, in collaboration with WHO)
Studies have shown that it is possible to notice the allergy in children in the first year of life (source: Boralevi, JACI, 2007). Early desensitization prevents the appearance of numerous respiratory complications (asthma, bronchitis, spasmodic ... allergic rhinitis) and skin (eczema). The age which treatment start is crucial because more than 70% of asthma begins before 6 years old (source: survey Alcimed, 2008). Unfortunately, given the risk of anaphylaxis, the World Health Organization does not recommend the use of immunotherapy in very young children (source: J Bousquet, Allergy 2010).
Given its ease of administration and non-invasive nature, Viaskin HDM® represents an awaited solution tailored to young children. Applied to the dust mite allergy, Viaskin® would thus prevent allergic asthma (dust mites) in young children before the onset of respiratory complications. (source: Des Roches A, Paradis L, Menardo JL, Bouges S, Daures JP, Bousquet J. Immunotherapy with a Standardized Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus extract. VI. Specific immunotherapy Prevents the onset of new Sensitization in children. J Allergy Clin Immunol. Apr 1997 , 99 (4) :450-3).
