Dust Mite Allergies

Dust Mite Allergies are a big concern throughout the world. The chief cause is not the Dust Mites themselves but rather the Dust Mites droppings (poop) that are the guilty substance.

The ordinary little Dust Mites enjoy being inside as most homes have a large supply of their favorite food, dried shredded skin from humans and pets. House Dust Mites do not bite because they are so small.

You will find over 100 Dust Mites in a single piece of household dust. They are just visible with the naked eye and these minute animals feast on all the flakes of skin they can find. Once they eat the skin flakes they excrete them out covered in little enzyme covered droplets.

It's the enzymes that cover the droppings that are the biggest problem for Allergy prone people. The enzyme covered dung becomes open to ordinary warm air in the home and starts to puddle on to any surface it comes in contact with. Now a Dust Mite may only live for a few months but it can drop many thousands of these tiny puddles in this time.

The Dust Mites and their dried out enzyme covered parcels can easily be inhaled or contact with human skin. The enzyme then causes an allergic reaction by attacking human tissue. Dust Mite Allergy commonly exhibits symptoms like dermatitis of the skin or Hay Fever or bronchial asthma.

Basic symptoms of a Dust Mite Allergy include red blotches or rashes on the skin, very itchy skin and or eyes, itchy or runny nose, a shortness of breath, cough and wheeze.

As most people usually shed skin flakes and as they usually spend about a quarter of their daily time in bed, this makes for the ideal breeding ground for the little Dust Mites. As well as their favorite beds they also love carpets and heavy curtains and furniture covered with material and even your favorite fluffy toy.

If you are tested as having a Dust Mite Allergy, then there are ways to help reduce exposure. The more Dust Mites you get rid of around the house less you will be effected.

Now Dust Mites are delicate little things. They will naturally die if the temperature is either too hot or cold. Good news for those in the desert and in the snow. Dust Mites really like a nice warm house and it is even better if the house is a little damp or dark.

For starters try and eradicate the Dust Mites. There is a bit of routine work involved but it should become easier.

Start with a regular cleaning routine. This should bit by bit reduce the number of Dust Mites and their droppings. Make sure that you wash all the sheets and pillowcases every week in hot water or use a cold wash with a commercial additive to remove the enzymes.

Next, the blankets, any mattress protectors and doonas and curtains should be washed but here only every few months. If you have lino or floorboards they need to be mopped at least once a week, and any carpets and floor coverings (mats) should be vacuumed weekly.

Polished floors are obviously better than carpets because the Dust Mites have nowhere to hide. If you need to, you may find it easier to wear a dust and pollen mask on your face when you are vacuuming. This will help you from breathing in any Dust Mites you have stirred up.

You should always wipe down any hard surfaces of furniture items with a dampened cloth.

Allergies are a part of everyday life, so by keeping the Dust Mite numbers as low as possible the symptoms of your Dust Mite Allergy will reduce.