House dust mites produce allergens that known to be among the most common triggers of asthma. According to the American College of Asthma, Allergy & Immunology, approximately 10 percent of Americans exhibit allergic sensitivity to dust mites. The Fall and Winter months are a particular problem, as we closed our houses and the concentrations of dust mites and their feces increases inside.
Some of the signs of house dust mite allergies are:
Sneezing
Itchiness
Inflamed eczema
Runny nose
Nasal congestion
Watering or reddening eyes
Clogging in the lungs
Asthma, difficulty in breathing
Facial pressure and pain
Frequent awakening
Swollen, blue-colored skin under your eyes
Dust mites feed on flakes of shed human and pet skin and they most likely to be found in bedrooms and kitchens. An average adult sheds up to 1.5 grams of skin each day, which is enough to feed a million of dust mites. A typical used mattress may have anywhere from 100,000 to 10 million mites inside.
The house dust mite favorite “playgrounds” are:
•Carpets
•Mattresses
•Bedding (especially in feather pillows)
•Upholstered furniture
•Clothing
House dust mites are to small to be visible to the naked eye (250-300 microns in length and have translucent bodies).The presence of house dust mites can be confirmed microscopically which requires collecting samples from mattresses, couches or carpets. It takes at least a 10X magnification to be able to correctly identify them. The adult mite's cuticle (covering) has simple striations that can be seen from both the dorsal (top) view and from the ventral (bottom) view.
Dust mites prefer places with the 70 degrees Fahrenheit or above and the humidity approximately 75% to 80%. Also poor ventilation and indoor air pollution such as car fumes or tobacco smoke make the symptoms of dust mite allergy worse.
However there are some companies offering a service, using steam or ultraviolet light, to kill dust mites in mattresses and remove them. But there is no scientific evidence that the dust mite won't appear again.
How to prevent dust allergy?
1.Use breathable organic bedding
2.Use barrier mattress covers and pillow zipped covers
3.Use non-feather pillows
4.Wash all bedding in very hot water once a week
Freezing and sunlight kills mites but does not remove their residue. In addition to freezing temperatures and washing items in temperatures greater than 130 degrees F, extended exposure to sunlight, and low levels of humidity also destroy the mites.
Use following tips to minimize dust level in other places:
Vacuum all carpets and upholstered furniture at least once a week
Wash small rugs and curtains in hot water
Clean floors and furniture with damp mop or cloth often
Use an air conditioning to lower humidity
Keep the humidity in your home below 55%
Wash soft toys and stuffed animals in hot water often
Replace wall-to-wall carpeting with wood or vinyl flooring
Clean or replace the air filters on your furnace or air conditioner at least once a month. Filters that are rated to trap allergens are obviously more effective than plain spun glass.
