The allergens are named DERp1, DERp2 and DERf1 All plant and animals are assigned a scientific (or Latin) genus and species name. By convention allergens are designated by the first three letters of the genus name followed by the first letter of the species name and finally by a sequential number to separate the first allergen discovered for that species from the second allergen discovered for that species etc.

DERp1 is a 25kD protein containing sequences conserved in the active sites of cysteine proteases. (this is produced in the midgut of the mite where its role is probably related to digestion food substrates associated with human skin).