Dust mites are quite literally, everywhere, and escaping from them if you suffer from a dust mite allergy (one of the most common allergy causes), can feel like an uphill struggle. Getting rid of them is probably impossible, but you can certainly do your best to keep them under control.
What are dust mites?
Dust mites are microscopic, eight legged critters related to spiders and ticks. They fill their stomachs with flakes of human skin and pet dander, and love humid conditions, such as when humidity is at more than 45%.
What are the symptoms of a dust mite allergy?
Those who suffer from an allergy to dust mites will have a heightened sensitivity to substances in the bodies and faeces of the mites, something that is generally harmless to others. When the person is exposed to dust mites, their natural defences produce an antibody called immunoglobulin E, which then goes on to trigger an allergic reaction.
Symptoms of such an allergy may include a runny nose, itchy or watery eyes, sneezing, blocked nasal passages and other symptoms that can resemble those of a person suffering from asthma: wheezing, shortness of breath and a tightness in the chest.
How are most people exposed to dust mites?
Since dust mites can be found in household bedding and furniture, you may suffer allergic symptoms simply from sitting on a bed or sofa, or if you are cleaning and vacuuming anywhere in the home, then you will likely be exposed to them in abundance.
How can you keep dust mites under control in the home?
Your home doesn’t have to be dirty for it to play host to millions of dust mites, but cleaning it in a certain way, will help to reduce their numbers:
- Wash all bedding on a weekly basis
- If possible, swap your carpets for wooden or laminated flooring
- Avoid upholstered furniture
- Purchase a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter built in, or have a member of the household who isn’t allergic to the mites, do the vacuuming
You could also try using ‘mite-proof’ bed coverings that are now readily available to purchase. These types of covers zip tightly around your bedding and help to reduce your exposure to the mites, you may even choose to place tape over the zip so that the mites have no escape route.
Trying to keep your home as ventilated as possible, will help to reduce the amount of dust mites, too, and you could purchase a dehumidifier to ensure that your home doesn’t become a humid paradise for them.
Dust mites are prolific in many of our homes, and you may even be allergic to them without having realised; perhaps you associated your symptoms with some other form of allergy or illness such as asthma? But there are things that you can do to help minimise the presence of mites in your home, and so rather than feeling irked at the fact that they are tricky little critters to get rid of, focus instead on reducing their numbers by following the advice given above.