The Cause
Tiny 8-legged creatures called dust mites seem to be the major cause of allergic reactions in house dust. House dust mites survive on shed human skin scales. As these mites digest their food, they produce potent allergens that are released in their fecal pellets (droppings). Inhaling these microscopic pellets and mite bodies themselves provokes allergic symptoms such as nasal congestion, itching, watery eyes, sneezing and asthma.
Where Dust Mites Live
Because house dust mites feed on shed human skin scales, mattresses and pillows are ideal places for mite infestations and have the highest levels of mite allergens. House dust mites thrive in warm, humid environments. They prefer temperatures at or above 70 degrees. Wall-to-wall carpeting, central heating, bedding, upholstered furniture, wallpaper or even stuffed toys provide ideal conditions for dust mites. Although mattresses and bed covers at home are the major source of mite allergens, mite-allergic patients are also exposed to significant mite allergens in public places such as schools, movie theaters and public transportation.
Treatment: Avoidance
Avoidance measures should always be the first line of treatment. The key to reducing symptoms is the careful cleaning of all rooms where you spend most of your time. Since most people spend about a third of their lives in the bedroom, that is a good place to start. Here are some simple steps you should take.
- Since mites can grow abundantly in your bed, the single most important thing you can do is to enclose your mattresses, box springs and pillows in vinyl or synthetic coverings.
- Change your bed linens and pillow cases frequently
- Use washable blankets and bed spreads
- Eliminate upholstered furniture, carpeting and drapes
- Wet-mop and vacuum frequently
- Remove stuffed toys
- Use air filtration devices
- Keep the humidity as low as possible (35-50%)
- Use chemical agents to kill house dust mites and remove allergens.
At Advanced Allergy & Asthma Care, our Allergy physicians can help improve your quality of life. With convenient locations in Danbury, New Milford, Norwalk and Ridgefield in Fairfield County, Connecticut, we specialize in the treatment of nasal, eye food, medication and skin allergies, as well as asthma care.
