Dust mites are tiny creatures that live in our environment and feed on our dead skin cells. They are so small that we can't see them without a microscope, but they can cause big problems for people who are allergic to them. In this article, we will explore what dust mites are, where they are commonly found, how they affect our health, and how we can reduce their numbers and their allergens.
What are dust mites?
Dust mites belong to the same family as spiders and ticks. They are arachnids, not insects. The most common dust mite in Australia is the Dermatophagoides Pteronyssinus, which tends to prefer coastal rather than inland areas. This mite has been associated with dermatological and respiratory allergies in humans, such as eczema and asthma.
Dust mites feed on discarded human skin, house dust, and other microscopic food sources such as pollen and fungal spores. They do not bite or sting, but their bodies contain a strong allergen, and they also shed droppings and skin cases that can trigger allergic reactions in some people.
Where will you find them?
Dust mites are mostly found in homes with higher humidity levels and constant warm temperatures, so they are more common in coastal areas of Australia than in dryer inland areas. They live in layers of dust that have settled, particularly in high-traffic areas.
Because dust mites feed on discarded skin cells, they make their homes in places where dead skin cells are most likely to accumulate, such as bedding, furniture, curtains and carpeting. During cleaning they can become airborne and settle in other areas of the house.
There tends to be more dust mites during changes in the seasons when people are often spring-cleaning their houses. This can affect people who are allergic to them.
The Dust Mite and Allergies
According to some online sources, a healthy dust mite can produce up to 20 droppings a day and those droppings are chock full of allergens to the human immune system.
On an average day, one person may shed 1.5 grams of dead skin cells, which can feed up to one million dust mites at a time.
So, how much dust mite poo do you inhale every day?
Well, it’s hard to say exactly, but some estimates suggest that you may inhale as much as 0.2 milligrams of dust mite feces per day. That may not sound like a lot, but it can still trigger allergic reactions in some people.
Many people who have asthma, eczema, allergic rhinitis (hay fever), or other allergies are allergic to dust mites. The allergen created by dust mites trigger symptoms of their condition. These symptoms may include sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, skin rashes, or hives.
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How can you reduce dust mites?
The allergen is present both in the mites as well as in their droppings and discarded skin cases. So, it is important to try to reduce all of these. Unfortunately, it is not possible to completely remove dust mites from the house, and you will need to do more than one thing to reduce numbers and effect.
The best place to start is in the bedroom, and in particular the bedding, where we spend the greatest number of consecutive hours. A combination of the following four measures is recommended:
Wash sheets, pillowcases, and other bedding weekly in hot water (>60 degrees C). This will kill dust mites and wash away the allergen they produce. If you cannot wash in hot water, use a commercial product containing tea tree or eucalyptus oils formulated to kill dust mites in cold water.
Cover the mattress, pillow, and quilt with dust-mite-resistant covers. Some health funds may provide a rebate for the purchase of these items. The covers must be washed every two months. If covers are not available, wash blankets and non-encased washable doonas every three months in hot water.
Remove sheepskins or woollen underlays from the bed and bedroom. Remove all soft toys from the bed and bedroom. Replace them with wooden or plastic toys that can be washed. If keeping soft toys, wash them in eucalyptus oil weekly or place them in the freezer overnight. Freezing soft toys overnight kills mites but does not remove the allergen.
Vacuum mattresses every month and carpets weekly using a vacuum cleaner fitted with a HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filter if possible. Alternatively, use a vacuum cleaner with a double-thickness bag or empty vacuum cleaner bags outside after each use.
The following advice applies to any space in your environment:
Reduce humidity by improving ventilation, for example, by opening windows or using dehumidifiers or air conditioners (set to dry rather than cool), and reduce or eliminate indoor clothes drying and unfluted gas heaters.
Reduce clutter by removing unnecessary items that collect dust, such as books, magazines, ornaments, etc.
Reduce the use of rugs and carpets. Remove rugs, and if possible, replace carpets with hard flooring such as tiles or wood.
Reduce or eliminate non-washable curtains and blinds.
Dust surfaces regularly using a damp cloth or an electrostatic cloth that attracts dust rather than spreading it around.
Use microfibre cloths for cleaning to trap dust effectively.
In concluding, dust mites are common allergens in Australia that can cause symptoms in people who have asthma or allergies. By following some simple steps to reduce the number of dust mites in your home, you may be able to improve your health and quality of life.
We hope you found this information about the Australian dust mite useful.
We invite you to share your questions and experiences related to this topic in the comments section below.
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Sources: 2023
House dust mite - Better Health Channel, https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/house-dust-mite
Dust mites | healthdirect , https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/dust-mites
Allergen minimisation - Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology, https://allergy.org.au/patients/allergy-treatment/allergen-minimisation
Skin feeders: living with dust mites - Australian Geographic, https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/topics/science-environment/2010/06/skin-feeders-living-with-dust-mites/
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