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Allergens produced by house dust mites are one of the most common causes of asthma with up to 85% of asthmatics being allergic to the miniscule mites.  As well as asthma, allergic reactions to the mite include sneezing, itching, inflamed eczema, running nose and watery, red eyes. The bad news is that the house dust mite thrives in the indoor environment provided by modern homes, especially in the

bedroom where they live and reproduce in bedding. they love humid conditions and even in dry climates they survive in bedding taking in moisture from the humidity generated by human breathing, perspiration and saliva. As well as beds and bedding, house dust mites and the allergens they produce thrive in soft furnishing, carpets, curtains and even soft toys if these are present in a child’s bed.

The good news is that asthma and allergies caused by the house dust mite can be helped by some simple procedures to make sure your bed and bedding are not the perfect home and breeding ground for the dust mite and the allergens they produce.

• Use efficient micro-porous, anti-mite coverings on your bed.  Air your bed for as long as possible before making it to reduce the moisture from the night.

• Thoroughly clean all carpets and curtains in your bedroom with a reputable vacuum cleaner with an excellent filter. It is debatable as to whether vacuuming your mattress will eliminate the house mite but it will remove most of the skin dust that the house mite feeds on.

• A hot wash of over 60°C (140°F) of all sheets and pillowcases should kill off most house mites. Allergens are also eradicated by temperatures of below 0°C (32°F) so 24 hours in the freezer for some bedding will also be beneficial. Relative humidity of less than 50% has also been shown to be sufficient to kill dust mites and 10 minutes in a household clothes dryer at a high temperature will be help to kill the dust mites as will the installation of a good de-humidifier in your bedroom.

• Try and avoid letting children take furry toys to bed.  A soft blanket that can be washed at high temperatures will be better at preventing allergies.

Ref:

• www.asthma.org.uk
• www.nhs.uk
• The Allergy Bible: Understanding, Diagnosing, Treating Allergies and Intolerances; Linda Gamlin.
• Allergy Free Living; Anita Reid, Peter Howarth

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