The Dust Mite

Posted in Allergies, Alternative down comforters, Factors affecting sleep, Pillows by admin
Mar 05 2010
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Look Who Is Sleeping in My Bed

Dust mites tend to thrive within dark, warm and humid conditions which your bed offers, especially within its mattress. It would be estimated that a single double mattress contains millions of dust mites and droppings, as well as dead cells of skin and their added bacteria. Dust mites are extremely small members of the Arachnid class and Acari subclass, similar to spiders and “cousins” to lice and ticks. People with dust mite allergy are allergic to both the organism and its feces. Dust mites do not Bite or sting, but constant contact with allergens that produce can cause respiratory and skin diseases in humans.

What Our Enemy Looks Like

Dust mites are tiny arachnids (which is true) it in the spider family, who survive mainly through consumption of dead human skin. Although it is almost impossible to see their facilities, 5 mm with the naked eye, they can be viewed using a bright light and magnifying glass. Dust mites are lurking all over your home, your car, your work, and pretty much everywhere you ever go. The key for allergy sufferers is to know how to get rid of dust.

Pillows and mattresses are a virtual paradise for dust mites because they thrive in warm, humid conditions while gorging themselves on shed human skin cells. Since people spend 8-10 hours a day in the bedroom, it’s where the greatest number of dust mites exist. Pillows, mattresses and other soft furnishings are often kept for many years either without proper cleaning or washing, this causes and accumulation of skin scales, house dust mites and their fecal pellets.

Dealing With the Mite

Replace feather and down pillows with those having synthetic fillings and replace woolen blankets with nylon or cotton cellulose ones.  Down alternative comforters and down alternative pillows are another good choice.

Also, make sure your child’s stuffed animals are washable because they can also attract dust mites. Replacing carpet with smooth flooring will reduce the buildup of dust. Since carpeting is a prime breeding ground for mites, the absence of it will create a more hostile environment for them.

Cover bedding with dust-proof material, avoid unnecessary dust-raising activity, avoid breathing dust raised by vacuuming and cleaning, and avoid having the reservoirs such as carpets and cloth-covered furniture from which airborne dust is raised. Wash or clean clothing which is likely to be a reservoir. Covering pillows and mattresses with allergen-impermeable covers will contain dust mites and their waste products and reduce exposure to dust mite allergen. Additional measures include washing stuffed toys and vacuuming and steam cleaning carpets. Cover all furnace outlets in the room with special filters or cover the outlets with 10 thicknesses of cheesecloth or muslin. This will catch dust in the furnace air.

The battle against the dust mite can be won but it will be a constant and never ending battle.

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Tagged as: Alternative down comforters, cleaning, dust, dust mites, mattresss, Pillows