Dust Mite Allergy

WHAT ARE DUST MITES?

Dust mites are the microscopic (unable to see with the eye) insects found in dust to which people may be allergic. They live mainly in mattresses, carpets, upholstered furniture and other items that collect dust. They especially like.. humid and warm conditions. Dust mites eat scales of human skin that are shed everyday. The waste products that are produced by the mite are the main thing in house dust to which people have an allergic reaction. Each mite can produce about 20 waste particles per day. These particles can cause allergies even after the mite has died. Each female mite can lay 25-50 new eggs. A new generation of dust mites is produced every thee weeks.

WHERE DO DUST MITES LIVE?

The greatest source of dust mite exposure is in the bedroom mattress. The mites live in the mattress as there are plenty of skin scales for them to eat. The dust mites are also present in pillows, blankets, carpets, upholstered furniture, curtains, stuffed animals and other fabrics.

WHAT CAN BE DONE TO CONTROL DUST MITES?

It is best to minimize exposure to the dust mite, especially in the bedroom to control allergic symptoms. The bedroom is the most important room since most people spend one third or more of .each day there. The bedroom also has the most dust mites. The mattress, box spring, and pillow should be encased in zippered air tight covers, either plastic, vinyl, or vinyl with cloth. This is the major way of controlling the dust mites.

The home should not be over humidified in the winter. All bedding should be washed in very hot water. Also, if possible, other sites where the dust mites live should be removed. Finally, people with a dust mite allergy should not be around when their home is vacuumed or dusted.