DUST MITE ALLERGY
What is a Dust
Mite?
picture from AAAAI web site
·
Small microscopic
insect not visible to the unaided eye
·
Lives off the
flakes of skin that we shed
·
Found in upholstered furniture,
carpets, mattresses, pillows, stuffed animals
·
Dust mites require
humid environment to survive
Dust
Mite Allergen Avoidance
picture
from NIH website
·
Dust mite covers
- Airtight: covers the entire mattress or pillow,
not just the top, and can be zipped up
- It is made from material with tight enough weave
so that dust mites can’t get in.
- Breathable comfortable covers sold at:
§
Shoppers Home Health:
§
Quorum Allergy Products: Tel: 1-800-501-5115
§
Vital Aire Health Care:
- Cheaper plastic or vinyl covers also work, but
less comfortable to sleep on (can put washable mattress pad on top for
added comfort)
·
Heat kills dust mites: Wash
bed linens once a week in hot water (55°C but caution if have kids because this is scalding) &
in dryer with heat
·
Cold kills dust mites:
Can put stuffed animals or pillows in freezer (can also put in dryer
instead…see above)
·
Dryness kills dust
mites: Keep relative humidity less than 50%and greater than 35% (40% is
optimal) (use dehumidifier, air conditioning helps)
·
Hardwood floors are
best (even with vacuuming, carpets retain dust mites)
·
Leather or wooden
furniture are also best (dust mites can’t live in them)
·
Vacuum Cleaners:
vacuuming may stir up the dust mites, a vacuum with a HEPA filter or a Central
Vacuum helps prevent this
Other
- Ascaracides (chemicals that kill dust mites):
not yet proven to work
- Room air filter: not of benefit. The dust mite
allergen is too heavy to be airborne and effectively filtered