Dust
Mites
"One of the most highly allergenic
contaminants found indoors"
One
of the most highly allergenic contaminants found indoors is house
dust, often heavily contaminated with the fecal pellets and skins of
House Dust Mites. Estimates are that dust mites may be a
factor in 50 to 80 % of asthmatics, as well as in countless cases of
eczema, hay fever, and other allergic ailments. Common causes
of allergy include house dust mites, cat dander, cockroach droppings
and grass pollen.
Symptoms
Are
respiratory in nature, usually not a rash. However, there
are reports of a red rash around the neck. The
wheeze-inducing proteins are digestive juices from the mite gut
and are potent. An exposure to the mites in the first year
of a infants life can trigger a lifelong allergy.
There
is no cure, only prevention.
One must control the levels of dust mites. Beds are a prime
habitat, a typical mattress may have anywhere from 100,000 to 10
million mites inside. Mites prefer warm, moist surroundings
such as the inside of a mattress when someone is on it.
Their favorite food is dander (human skin flakes), also,
bedroom carpeting and household upholstery support high mite
populations. Dust mites, due to their very small size (250 to 300
microns in length) and translucent bodies, are not visible to the
unaided eye. For accurate identification, one needs at least
10X magnification. Through a microscope, one will see many
oval-shaped mites scuttling around and over one another.
There are eight hairy legs, no eyes, no antennae, a mouthpart
group in front of body (resembles a head) and a tough, translucent
shell, giving a "fearsome appearance".
Control
Measures
Recommendations focus on "dust control". One
must reduce the concentrations of dust borne allergens in the
living environment by controlling both allergen production and the
dust which serves to transport it.
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| Keep
the house clean Dust mites,
pollens, animal dander, and the allergy causing agents can be
reduced, although not eliminated through regular cleaning
|
| Use
a good vacuum. Most vacuums actually
cause the problem to worsen because the filter bags in most
models are not efficient and cause allergen levels to rise. |
| Keep
humidity levels below 60 percent.
Dust mites as well as other allergens thrive on high humidity.
Homes with air conditioning constantly have lower mite counts
then non-air conditioned homes. |
|
Use
a good air filter. Most store bought air
filters an not capable of trapping mites and their
by-products. One should also look for a filter that has
anti-microbial properties, to prevent the filter from becoming
a breeding ground for allergens. Filters that call
themselves "washable" should be avoided because it
just is not possible to wash 100% of the biological
contaminants out of them and they will also become a breeding
ground
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Further questions? Contact us at our email address, Info@dustless.com,
or call us toll-free at 1-800-757-1836
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