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Leave Dust Mites in the Dust

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CLEVELAND — Oct. 28, 2009 — Too small to see without a microscope or a strong magnifying glass, billions of dust mites live in every home. Dust mites are arachnids, the class of arthropods that includes spiders, scorpions and ticks. A typical used mattress can host anywhere from 100,000 to 10 million mites.

If you don’t suffer from a dust mite allergy or asthma, they aren’t harmful. But if you do, dust mites wreak havoc on your health. When their microscopic feces and decaying bodies mix with dust, they become airborne and enter the lungs. Their presence in the lungs can trigger many symptoms, ranging from mild to severe, and may include: sneezing; runny nose; itchy, watery eyes; swollen, blue colored skin under the eyes; cough and facial pressure.

Asthma patients may experience increased lung congestion, wheezing and shortness of breath. Other allergic reactions to dust mites may include headaches, fatigue and depression.
Because there is no cure for dust mite allergies, the key to preventing symptoms is controlling not only the dust mite population, but also the dust that transports them into your indoor air.

Check out the following tips for preventing allergic reactions to dust mites from www.cleanhomeideas.com:

If no one in your home is sensitive to latex, use impermeable latex mattress and box spring covers. These are resistant to dust mites. Damp-dust the mattress covers frequently and thoroughly vacuum pillows and the base of the bed.

Consider investing in a central vacuum system to more effectively remove the dust mite debris circulating in your air. Allergy sufferers often bemoan the fact that traditional vacuum cleaners — even those equipped with good filters — tend to suck up only a portion of contaminants and then disburse the remaining particles into the indoor air, further aggravating symptoms.

A central vacuum system operates by attaching a lightweight hose to special outlets in your walls, and through a series of interconnected tubes it carries dirt, particles, and even fine dust mite feces away from your living quarters and into a sealed container located in the garage, basement or storage closet. Installation usually takes just one day, so the benefits can be appreciated almost immediately.

Use silk sheets as opposed to cotton and flannel. The natural moisture-wicking properties of silk sheets and comforters make them inhospitable to the tiny critters. Wool blankets and down comforters, however, should be replaced with nylon or cotton cellulose blankets.

Because carpets attract dust mites installing hard wood floors, tile or vinyl is your best bet, especially in the bedroom. If you want to soften the look of hard wood floors, use small, skid-proof area rugs that can be frequently laundered.

Dust mites thrive in high humidity, so take care not to over-humidify in the winter. Dehumidifiers and air-conditioning are helpful during warmer months. A humidity level below 50% is ideal. (You can measure home humidity levels with a hygrometer, available at hardware stores). Also, don’t go to bed with wet hair, as the dampness will attract dust mites.

Reduce or eliminate items that collect dust, and therefore dust mites: dried flowers, wicker baskets, numerous knickknacks, piles of magazines or newspapers—anything difficult to dust or vacuum is a prime suspect.

Buy washable stuffed toys and keep them off the beds; launder them often in hot water and dry them thoroughly.