Dust Mite Allergy

The faeces of house-dust mites cause several types of allergy (such as eczema, asthma, and rhinitis). The mites themselves eat discarded human skin scales and lurk in warm, damp places, such as in soft furnishings. Reducing their numbers sufficiently to avoid allergies requires considerable effort, so it's best to make sure that they are indeed responsible for your symptoms first, by asking your doctor to arrange the appropriate allergy tests.

Treatment Control Information for Dust Mite Allergy

To get rid of house-dust mites try the measures outlined below. It is often best to start in your bedroom as this is the place you spend several hours in each night:

Reduce damp by ventilating your house well and sleeping with your window open. These measures may be as effective as getting rid of your carpet.

Air bedding every day in front of an open window or hang blankets and duvets on a washing line, especially on cold, crisp winter days. Use mite-proof coverings for mattresses and pillows.

Choose bedding that can be washed at a high temperature 55-60°C (130-140°F), and wash it regularly to prevent build-up of skin flakes. Affected children who sleep in bunk beds should always occupy the top bunk.

Vacuum frequently, using either a vacuum cleaner with a fine filter or one that passes the exhaust through water.

Avoid upholstered furniture, replace curtains with blinds, and carpets with smooth floor coverings, such as cork, linoleum or vinyl. For comfort, use short-pile cotton mats that can be washed frequently at a high temperature.

Dust using a damp cloth, rinse it under a tap and dry outside. Avoid clutter, which traps dust. Once a week, freeze soft toys overnight, and, if possible, wash them in hot water.

Affected infants who are still crawling should wear protective cotton clothing that can be washed frequently.

Steam cleaning kills dust mites very effectively. Proprietary sprays against the house-dust mite are available, but they don't always work very effectively, and they can also cause reactions in some people.