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Dust
Mite Allergy Control
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Block the allergen and treat the allergy
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Summary:
Effectively dealing with allergies caused by dust
mites involves separating yourself from the
allergens, treating the allergy, and reducing dust
mite numbers. Use the information below to do all
three.
Jack DeAngelis, PhD
OSU Ext. Entomologist
(ret.)
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Dust mite biology
Dust mites are very small and you
can't see them directly with the naked eye but
almost every house has dust mites, some have more
than others. Dust mite eggs
develop into adults in about one month under ideal
conditions and mites feed on pollen, fungi, skin
flakes, dander, and natural fibers. Dust mite
numbers increase between about 50 and 90 degrees
F. and high relative humidity of between 60-90%.
For this reason dust mites tend to be more
numerous in the spring and fall when the
indoor humidity is a little higher.
Heating during winter months tends to dry
out houses and reduces dust mite numbers. However,
since windows are closed in winter, which
increases indoor air pollution, dust mite
allergies may actually be worse during winter
months. House dust mites do not bite or otherwise
cause injury.
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A mold mite (related to
dust mites), Tyrophagus putrescentiae,
magnified about 100x. USDA/ARS; Photo by Eric Erbe; digital
colorization by Chris Pooley.
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Dust mite allergy
House dust mites are important because of
the allergens they excrete. When inhaled,
the allergens can cause asthma in the most extreme
case, or only rhinitis -- a stuffy, inflamed nose.
Dust mite allergen is composed of mite fecal
material and fragments of the mites themselves.
Obviously, individual people differ in their
tolerance to the mite allergen. Some people never
exhibit any allergic reaction, while in others a
life-threatening asthma attack may occur (see What
Causes Dust Mite Allergy).
Steps to treating dust mite allergy
First a word of caution -- don't get
carried away with trying to completely eliminate
house dust mites from your home. These mites
are, in many ways, a natural part of our indoor
ecosystem. Concentrate instead on reducing the
impact of the allergy on your life.
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Never use insecticides indoors to
control dust mites, try the other options
outlined here instead. Applying toxic
insecticides all over the house may, and
probably will, make any respiratory problems
you may have even worse.
You should discuss a serious
allergic reaction with your physician or
allergist. Tests and medications are available
to treat dust mite allergy and asthma. Serious
allergic reactions should be treated
medically. For milder cases use the
suggestions below.
Mite numbers, and the allergen pool,
can be reduced by lowering indoor humidity
by either central heating or air conditioning.
Also, try to control other sources of allergen
such as cockroaches, fleas and silverfish. Keep
pets, and their dander, out of the bedroom and
limit the use natural fiber furnishings like
rugs. Add a room air purifier to the bedroom
(see Room
Air Purifiers) and regularly clean
or replace filters in central air conditioning
and heating systems.
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Cover bedding with washable, allergen-proof covers (also
work for bed
bugs). These bed covers effectively
separate you from the accumulated allergen pool
that is present in every bed and pillow no matter
how often it is cleaned. Remove as much fabric and
carpeting as possible from the bedroom because
wood or tile flooring is much easier to clean.
Shampoo rugs and fabric-covered furniture to
eliminate as much surface dust as possible.
Wet-clean any remaining carpets regularly because
vacuuming alone may actually make things worse
by stirring up dust and allergens.
House Dust Mites
and Dust Mite Allergy
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