Allergies to Dust Mites
Facts About Allergies
What are allergies to dust mites?
What about 'environmental control'?
Steps to Control Dust Mite Allergens
Other Helpful Suggestions
Links To Articles About Dust Mite Allergies
Facts About Allergies
The tendency to develop allergies may be inherited. If you have allergic tendencies and are exposed to certain things in your environment (allergens), you may develop allergies to some of those things. Examples of allergy symptoms include itchy eyes, runny nose, asthma symptoms, eczema (atopic dermatitis) and rash. The timing of the allergic response may be immediate or delayed. Allergy testing may be recommended to help identify your allergies.
What are allergies to dust mites?
Dust mites are microscopic animals, too small to be seen with the naked eye. The droppings and decaying bodies of dust mites are common allergens. These dust mites live in bedding, carpets, stuffed furniture, old clothing and stuffed toys. They feed on human skin scales. Dust mites are most common in humid climates. They don't survive when the humidity is below 50%. If droppings of dust mites are inhaled or come in contact with the skin, they may cause allergy, asthma and/or eczema symptoms.
What about 'environmental control'?
Once an allergy has been identified, the next step is to decrease or eliminate exposure to the allergen. This is called environmental control. Evidence shows that allergy and asthma symptoms may improve over time, if the recommended environmental control changes are made. Many of the changes are for the entire home. The bedroom is the most important, because the bedroom is where people usually spend 1/3 to 1/2 of their time.
Steps to Control Dust Mite Allergens
- Enclose the mattress and boxsprings in a zippered dust-proof encasing. Dust-proof encasings have a layer of material that keeps the dust mites inside the encasing. Encasings are usually made of plastic or plastic-like materials. If there is more than one mattress in the bedroom all mattresses should be encased. It is recommended that cloth tape be placed over the encasing zipper.
- Wash all bedding in hot (130° F) water, weekly.
- Put the pillows in zippered dust proof encasings and/or wash the pillows weekly with the bedding.
- Avoid lying on upholstered furniture or carpet.
Other Helpful Suggestions
- Remove carpeting from the bedroom. Instead, use area rugs that can be washed.
- Use wood, leather or vinyl furniture instead of upholstered furniture in the bedroom.
- Vacuum rugs and carpets frequently. The person with a dust mite allergy should not vacuum or be in a room while it is being vacuumed.
- Keep the indoor moisture low. The ideal humidity level is 30-40%. Use an airconditioner or dehumidifier in warm climates to decrease the humidity. Clean the dehumidifier regularly.
- Humidifiers/vaporizers are not recommended because they will increase humidity in the room and create a favorable environment for dust mites. If you must use a humidifier, clean it daily to prevent mold growth.
- Chemical solutions may be helpful. Acaricides (a chemical that kills dust mites) must be applied regularly to carpeting or upholstered furniture. This solution will not remove any preexisting mite droppings. A tannic acid solution, applied as directed, can help neutralize the allergen in mite droppings.
Your healthcare provider may recommend additional medications, therapies or other environmental controls. Exposure to dust mites can make allergy, asthma and/or eczema symptoms worse in some people. To avoid these problems follow the above steps to decrease or eliminate exposure.
Click on a link below to read an article on the topic of dust mite allergy.
This information has been approved by David Tinkelman, MD (February 2006).
