Even in the cleanest of homes, you can find spider-like dust mites which can be the cause of itching and irritation very often, although they are invisible to the naked eye. They survive in warm and moist places where temperatures are close to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degree Celsius) and humidity ranges from 75 to 80%. They usually do not survive in cold regions such as Antartica or in dry, less-humid conditions.
Dust mite allergy is a problem which surfaces during the warm weather conditions in July and August, when their populations multiply in number.
The Sources of Dust
Dust found in your home depends on the furniture type, presence or absence of pets, and several other factors. A single dust particle could originate from human dead skin, dander from pets, fabric pieces, food particles, dead cockroach parts and sometimes bacterial, fungal, and mold spores may also form a part of it. A dust scoop weight of a paper clip contains 19,000 dust mites!
Basics About Dust Mites
Dust mites are tiny bugs, which are invisible to our eyes and feed on dead skin belonging to animals and humans. Flakes of dead skin from your body or even your pet's can collect on mattresses, carpets, beddings, rugs, or furniture inviting dust mites to survive on them. An adult human sheds nearly 1.5 g of dead skin everyday which is sufficient to allow millions of mites to feed on it. Dust mites and their waste products are present in the dust floating in the air.
Based on statistics from American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, up to 10% of human beings are dust-mite sensitive. Close to 90% of cases pertaining to allergic asthma are caused by dust mites. It is difficult to get rid of dust mites; however, it is possible to contain them in order to avoid allergic symptoms in people sensitive to dust mites.
Dust Mite Allergy
Allergic reactions to these dust mites is medically called a dust mite allergy. Itchy eyes, runny nose, and sneezing are all symptoms of dust mite allergen induced allergic rhinitis. Asthmatic symptoms such as breathing difficulty and wheezing can also be triggered during dust mite allergy.
It is difficult to diagnose whether your allergy is specific to dust mite or pollen without conducting an allergy test. Dust mite allergy symptoms are more severe during the mornings. High levels of dust mites are usually found inside areas like the bed room. Sleeping in a bed room all through the night can trigger severe allergic reactions in the morning.
Tackling Dust Mite Allergy
According to an allergist in Cincinnati, it is difficult to get rid of dust mites but you can attempt to reduce their levels inside your home. One way is by washing your bedding or mattresses in hot water frequently. You can reduce the number of stuffed toys and other soft objects piled up in your home that cannot be cleaned but may harbor a large number of dust mites. It is beneficial to leave all the cleaning to a person non-allergic to dust mites to avoid triggering any allergic reaction while cleaning your home. While cleaning, ensure that you wear goggles and a face mask to limit inhaling dust mites.
A good method of controlling dust mites would be to limit the areas where they usually build up:
- Replace the upholstery on your furniture with a material which can be cleaned easily.
- You can avoid the use of carpets at home and also replace the flooring with hard wood or tile.
Containing these invisible "creepy crawlies" becomes essential in all seasons. Maintaining a clean home can help you avoid the problem of dust mites and stay healthy, sans any allergies.
