Dust mites… EEEW!
On Tuesday of last week I took a day off to do some spring cleaning. I was astonished by how much dust accumulated from the last time I dusted (less than two weeks ago) and was wondering: “What exactly is IN that dust?”
The answer is that there are a lot of different things in dust. The disgusting truth is that it’s mostly dead human skin cells and pet dander with small amounts of molds, fibers, dust mites and their waste products. Dust often can create problems in people who have allergies or asthma. In addition, dust mites are carriers of diseases like typhus and rikettsialpox.
The symptoms of a dust mite allergy are similar to hay fever. They include sneezing, runny nose, itchy, watery eyes, nasal congestion, postnasal drip, cough, irritability and facial pressure or pain. Asthma symptoms like lung congestion, wheezing, and shortness of breath may worsen. Asthma attacks at night will often worsen because dust mites like to live in bedding.
The best treatment for a dust mite allergy is avoidance. Good cleaning habits are your best defense against these little guys. Dust using a wet rag or mop instead of a dry cloth. Wash bedding in hot water (130 to 140 degrees F) every week. Cover your mattress and pillows in a dust proof cover. Air purifiers alone are not effective because dust mites don’t remain airborne for long.
If you need to find a doctor for your allergy symptoms, do a search in Health-E Illinois (http://medlineplus.gov/illinois) or one of the other Go Local projects for an allergist.
Sorry, but we can’t help you with your spring cleaning. But check out this link for ways to create a dust free bedroom. ( http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/healthscience/healthtopics/allergicDiseases/dustFree.htm )
More dust mite sites:
- Mites affecting Humans (Illinois Dept. of Public Health)
- Dust mites (EPA)
- Dust mites, an interactive tutorial (MedlinePlus)
- House Dust Allergy (The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology)
Sam Meyer
