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Dust Mites
House dust mites are a common trigger of allergic diseases such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, and allergic conjunctivitis. House dust mites are microscopic insect-like creatures which are present in even “clean” homes with little obvious dust. This is because house dust mites prefer to live in warm and humid environments, and thrive in material that is warm and fuzzy. This includes pillows, mattresses, bedding, stuffed animals, upholstered furniture, drapery, and carpeting. They feed on microscopic particles of human skin. Because of these features, house dust mites often grow in the bed and bedroom.
People with sensitivity to house dust mites maw notice problems at night or in the morning after having spent 6-10 hours in their bed and bedroom where dust mites live. Symptoms include: increased coughing, wheezing, sneezing, nasal congestion, itching, or allergic shiners (dark rings under the eyes). While many people feel better when they are away from the dust mites, some people remain ill several hours and even days after exposure.
House dust mite allergies can be diagnosed by the patient’s patter of symptoms, by blood tests, and by allergy skin testing. Medications can help. On the other hand, aggressive avoidance of allergic triggers can decrease a person’s need for medications in the first place. Aggressive house dust mite avoidance includes making it harder for dust mites to grow; sealing dust mite particles away from the patient; and washing dust mites away. Here are a few suggestions for helping reduce your child’s exposure to house dust mites:
- Obtain more information about dust mites, allergies, and asthma through books (e.g. “The Best Guide to Allergy” by Schultz, Giannini, etc.) and videotapes (available for viewing at our office resource center).
- Special encasings for the pillows, mattresses, and box-springs to keep dust mite particles away from your child. Pillow and mattress encasings are more important than box-spring encasings because pillows and mattresses are closer to your child’s face. Encasings become more expensive as better material is used to provide more comfort. In truth, the cheapest encasings are made from simple plastic or rubber and are just as effective as the fancy ones. Plastic or rubber encasings are noisy and can feel uncomfortable, but this can be overcome by using several layers of normal cloth or flannel pillowcases and mattress covers.
- Wash all regular bedding (pillowcases, sheets, mattress covers, blankets, etc.) in HOT water (more than 130 degrees) every 2 weeks. Many blankets are not made for such frequent washing and you may need to buy more durable blankets. (Because the water temperature is high, remember to be extra careful about water temperature while bathing your child.)
- Remove stuffed animals and decorative pillows from bed, or wash them in HOT water every 2 weeks.
- Watch for increased symptoms during vacuuming, cleaning closets, and making the beds. Newer vacuum cleaners can help keep dust mites from being sprayed into the air, but are very expensive. Another option is to purchase high filtration vacuum cleaner bags for your current vacuum cleaner. This cost about $20.00 for six bags. People with moderate-severe allergies should leave the home or room or wear high filtration masks while cleaning.
- Decrease the humidity in your home and especially in the bedroom. Humidifiers are helpful for people who need their mucous to be looser, but for people with house dust mite and mold allergies, humidifiers can make the problem worse! Remember that house dust mites thrive in humid environments. Dehumidifiers can dry out the environment very effectively but are expensive ($200-$300) and use a lot of electricity. Another product called “Dri Out” is cheaper (less than $10.00; refills less than $5.00) and is effective for mild humidity.
- Look for hidden causes for molds and dust mite growth such as: leaky faucets causing more humidity; old water damage to flooring & carpets; or carpeting placed directly on cement causing poor dispersion of moisture.
- HEPA air cleaners may help some people with allergies but are not as helpful as taking care of the bed and bedding. Remember that even the most powerful air cleaner will not snatch the dust mite particles away from your child’s body when your child is near dust mites in pillows, mattresses, sheets, and blankets. HEPA filters can decrease the amount of dust mite particles in the air but it is always better to eliminate the source of dust mite growth first.
- Carpet removal is the most drastic and expensive intervention but may be needed for children who have not responded to other measures. Carpeting provides a large place for dust mites to grow and thrive. Remember that children spend much more time near the floor than adults do. Furthermore, as children crawl, wrestle, and run, they are stirring up particles into the air where the particles are more easily inhaled. Hard wood floors are expensive and may look nice, but linoleum and tile are cheaper and are just as effective for avoiding dust mites.
- Avoid upholstered furniture and drapery.
These are just some suggestions. For some patients, just a few changes can make a big difference. For other patient, almost all the changes are necessary. You can purchase products through mail order companies (National Allergy Supply 1-800-522-1448; Allergy Control Products 1-800-422-DUST) and through retail stores like Target, Wal-Mart, Sears, Bed & Bath, Gazoontite, etc. Be sure to compare prices carefully! Please discuss your plans with us so that we can help you get the most benefit for your time and trouble. Several medications are safe and effective for treating allergies but avoidance of your child’s triggers can decrease the need for medications altogether! Please let us know how we can help.
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