Can Termites Cause Allergies?
WouterWhile termites rarely bite humans, they do sting, and that can cause itchy, painful skin reactions. They can also spread mold spores in your home, which can lead to neurological problems. Other symptoms include migraine headaches, fungal infections, and chronic asthma.
Termites are known to produce allergenic proteins. Some of these proteins cross-react with cockroach allergens, so it’s possible to be allergic to both. In addition, termite feces contain allergens.
Several insect species produce allergenic proteins, including cockroaches and dust mites. These can irritate the throat and respiratory system and trigger asthma. If you have a weakened immune system, the venom of an insect can be fatal. If you have severe allergies, pulmonary edema can occur.
During the swarming season, termites may fill the air with allergens. If you have a weak immune system, cockroaches and dust mites are also a source of environmental allergens.
Subterranean termites, however, don’t produce frass, and their proteins aren’t as readily transmitted to humans. So they don’t cause as much of a risk as cockroaches.
In addition, there are no termite-specific diagnostic tests. But the allergens in cockroaches can be identified through immunoblot and ELISA testing. The findings are still preliminary, and more research is needed.
As with other arthropods, termites can trigger an allergic reaction. In fact, termites are thought to be responsible for some types of parasitism in people. If you suspect that you are infected, seek help from a pest control expert.
