A Closer Look at Dust Mites

At 250 to 300 microns in length, dust mites are too small to be seen with the human eye (about three of them could fit inside the period at the end of this sentence), so it comes as no surprise that dust mites were first discovered by the inventor of the microscope, Anton van Leeuwenhoek. In 1694, Leeuwenhoek reported his discovery of microscopic "little animals" that live in dust.

Dust mites are indeed little animals, but they are not insects; they are eight-legged arachnids, related to spiders and ticks. They have been on earth for over 400 million years, and although there are over 100 million species living on land, the two most common house dust mites are Dermatophagoides farinae (American) and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (European). "Dermatophagoides" means "skin eater."

Dust mites live in bedding, carpet, upholstery, and stuffed toys, and they eat dead skin from humans and other animals. Ironically, while dust mites survive off our dead skin, it is their dead skin that makes us sick. As dust mites grow, they shed their skin, and their old skin causes allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Dust mite feces also spur allergic reactions. (Dust mites themselves are not inhaled; rather, their waste particles cause allergic reactions after being inhaled.)

	House dust mites are one of the most common causes of allergies, asthma, and atopic dermatitis (eczema). At least 10% of the population and approximately 80% of allergy sufferers are allergic to dust mite allergen. If you often wake up with congestion, a runny nose, watery eyes, itching, or sneezing, then you're probably allergic to dust mites.
	Dust mites flourish in warm, humid environments, so their populations are higher during the summertime and in warmer climates. They especially love a warm, moist bed full of dead skin. Humans shed two to three pounds of skin a year. Depending on its age, your mattress may contain between 100,000 and 10,000,000 dust mites. Dust mite populations increase rapidly; each egg-laying female can increase the population by 25 or 30 new mites per week. During its 80-day lifespan, the average dust mite produces about 1,000 allergenic waste particles. A half teaspoon of dust can contain as many as 1,000 dust mites and 250,000 allergenic waste particles. Don't waste money on cleaning air ducts to eliminate dust mites; they don't live there. Dust mites need warmth, humidity, and food—all provided by a human bed.
	Dust mites can be difficult to kill—and it's almost impossible to get rid of every single dust mite in your home—but dust mites can be kept in check using scientifically-proven environmental control devices. Dust mite bedding is the first line of defense against dust mites. A Johns Hopkins University study showed that "mite population and allergen levels decreased by 90% or more within a month of placing mattress and pillow covers and treating bedding."
	Encase your mattress and pillows with allergy relief bedding to form an impenetrable barrier between you and the dust mite allergens. Consider purchasing Allergy Armor™ Ultra Pillows, which are impervious to dust mites in the first place. It is especially important to note pore size on mattress and pillow covers. High quality allergy relief bedding such as Allergy Armor™ has a pore size of less than 6 microns—woven so tightly that allergens cannot penetrate. Unlike dust mite bedding with larger pores, Allergy Armor™ also blocks out animal dander.
	Frequently wash all standard bedding used on top of your encasings in hot water. The allergy relief covers should be washed two to four times per year. Unfortunately, for safety reasons, most washing machines do not use water hot enough (140°F) to kill all dust mites. Fortunately, achoo! ALLERGY offers a laundry wash and laundry additive that kill dust mites in any temperature of water. Use these additives if hot water washing is not possible. Freezing small pillows and stuffed toys overnight before washing will ensure death to the dust mites.
	Vacuum your mattress with a HEPA filtered vacuum before putting on your allergy relief bedding. Using a vacuum with a HEPA filter entraps allergens and prevents them from blowing out through the exhaust. Dust mites also thrive in carpets and upholstery. If you're allergic to dust mite allergen, vacuum as if your life depends on it!
	Avoid upholstered furniture. If possible, remove carpeting in the bedroom. For carpeted rooms, use a dry dust mite carpet cleaner to deactivate dust mite allergens. Keep your clothing in a closet with the door shut. Wash and dry-clean clothes frequently. Consider using a laundry additive such as Allersearch Allergen Wash to get rid of dust mite allergens on your clothes.
	Dust mites grow best at 75-80% humidity, and they cannot survive when the humidity is below 50%. Monitor your home's humidity with a hygrometer and adjust the humidity with a dehumidifier to control the dust mite population.
	Finally, run an air purifier, which removes dust, airborne dust mite waste particles, and other allergens from the air.