Get Rid of Unwanted House Guests… Dust Mites
Dust Mites in Your Home
If you live in a humid climate, warmer weather may attract some unwanted visitors - dust mites. Dust mites are microscopic creatures related to spiders that thrive on moisture. When moisture gets trapped inside a home, dust mites settle in and reproduce rapidly.
"Dust mites live off of human skin scales," says Harold S. Nelson, MD, an allergist at National Jewish Health. "People slough off dead skin cells all the time, and, in the process, dust mites infiltrate the soft surfaces of bedding, pillows, sofas and carpets."
Dust Mites and Children: The Link Between Allergy and Asthma
Almost everyone is exposed to dust mites, but not everyone is sensitive to them. "In one study, children allergic to dust mites were five times more likely to have asthma than children who were not allergic to the microscopic bugs," Dr. Nelson notes.
The First Step in Dust Mite Control: Decrease Humidity
Since humidity is the environmental sanctuary for dust mites, the first step is to measure your home’s moisture level. "The easiest, least expensive way," Dr. Nelson says, "is to buy an inexpensive hygrometer to assess indoor humidity. Optimally, humidity in your home should be below 40 percent." Humidity content between 40 and 50 percent is marginal in terms of dust mite control. In the 50 to 60 percent range, dust mites can be bothersome, and more than 60 percent is very bad.
Air conditioning is the most effective way to control indoor moisture, because it reduces moisture in the air. "If you have an inside air conditioner," he says, "make sure you have good drainage, so there is no standing water inside or anywhere around the cooler."
Dust Mites in Bedding: Eliminate Their Prime Habitat
Pillows and mattresses are prime habitats for dust mites, and the bed is the main source of human exposure. Dr. Nelson recommends using "special allergen-impermeable casings for mattresses and pillows to keep allergens from reaching you." Weekly washing of bedding in hot water (at least 130° F) is also recommended.
The casings are available as tightly woven fabrics and can be purchased at stores carrying allergy-related items.
Terrazzo and tile flooring also limit dust mite exposure. These floorings don’t provide the soft nesting areas that carpets do.
This information has been approved by David Tinkelman, MD (April 2008).
