Dust mites are the most common bugs found in almost all places even if your house is super clean. These creatures are microscopic resembling small bugs. They don’t leave bites on your skin but can cause skin rashes. Some of the other common symptoms include sneezing and postnasal drip. Dust mites are different from bedbugs that leave a bite on your skin. These beasts live in humid places and consume dead cells of the skin. They multiply easily on warm surfaces like beds, cushions, clothing, automobile seats, furniture, etc. Dust mites cannot spread diseases and never live near people but they can only cause dust mite allergy.
Dust Mite Symptoms
Sometimes when we wake up, we feel congested, itchy eyes, itchy skin, or a runny nose. These are the common symptoms when you’re likely allergic to dust mites. Not everyone is harmful to these dust mites but few have such bothersome symptoms. Continuous sneezing, watery eyes, runny nose are the common reactions from the immune system for any type of foreign invader into the body. It becomes worrying when you start having redness on your skin, itching, etc.
How to remove these dust mites
As these dust mites mostly live in the bedroom, it is best to start mite-proofing from there
Hot Water Wash
Washing bedding with hot water once a week is recommended for removing dust mites. For people with a severe dust mite allergy, it is better to wash pillowcases and sheets at a higher temperature every week.
Mite Detergents
Though common insecticides won’t work on these dust mites, there are products available in the market for anti-dust mites. They use a chemical called benzyl benzoate which is used in laundry additives to eliminate dust mites.
HEPA filter
Running a HEPA filter for your bedroom to remove airborne dust mites is recommended to mite-proof the bedroom. These air filters create relief from dust mite allergy and other symptoms that trigger asthma.
Vacuuming and cleaning carpets
Using steam vacuums instead of hot water vacuuming can greatly remove dust mites in carpets. This has to be done in a routine for every 2 months to see the best results.
Final tips to protect from dust mites
- When vacuuming step outside for about 20-30 minutes and have someone do the job.
- Never go to bed with damp hair or freshly-showered, as these increase the number of dust mites in the bed and create worse symptoms.
- Instead of having curtains in your bedroom, try replacing them with bamboo or wooden blinds because curtains have to be washed often.
