Dust Mites

Though they are invisible to the naked eye, dust mites can very easily drive you crazy with their bites. It is a relative of the spider and loves to live where you sleep. Yes, mattresses! Though they are found in other places too like carpets, curtains, upholstery, etc. It is time you know every bit about these microscopic creatures that can make your life a living hell.

What are Dust mites?

Dust mites have two names based on their species. The ones found in the United States of America are called Dermatophagoides farinae, and the other is referred to as Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and is found in the European countries. Dust Mites are nothing but bugs that one can only see under a microscope. These creatures love the soft and comfy places of your home especially pillows, mattresses, blankets, toys, curtains, and more.

Though they are bugs, they come under the same category as the spiders, and you will be amazed that these cosmopolitan members belong to the Pyroglyphidae family and are present on Earth before the insects came along.

Dust Mites get their name from household dust, which is their habitat. Did you know that dust is formed of your dead skin cells? This happens to be the food of the dust mites. Those areas of a home that are used more like beds, upholstery, and such are infested with more dust mites than the other areas.

There are different types of dust mites which infest our homes. Dust mites are responsible for several problems such as eczema, asthma, allergies, and others.

Appearance and Size

Dust mites are little creatures that live in close contact with humans. They are similar to ticks, spiders, and chiggers. Almost every home has identifiable levels of dust mites. The adult dust mite is only 0.5 mm in length while the young ones are smaller than that. You can only see a dust mite under a microscope. They are spherical in shape and have an off-white color. These tiny, little creatures don’t have any wings. Though they are light-colored, they come with stripes. A dust mite never lives more than two months.

Do dust mites bite?

Be certain that dust mites are not some sort of parasite. And, they are not capable of biting you or any other humans. However, they cause a lot of problems with the allergens present in them. These are extremely powerful kind of allergens that cause problems like sneezing, watery eyes, runny nose, and coughing. If a person is hypersensitive then they can have serious issues relating to bronchial asthma, shortness of breath, wheezing, and in some rare cases death. All of this can happen by merely inhaling the dust mites. Dust mites are the main reason behind asthma in children. Anyone who is allergic to dust mites will suffer from several allergic reactions all year round.

Signs of Dust Mite Infestation

In order to get rid of dust mites, you have to be sure at first that you have them in your home. Dust Mites thrive in damp and warm conditions. Using several methods, you can understand whether or not you have dust mites in your home.

The problem with dust mites is that you can’t see them. You will need a microscope to understand whether there are dust mites in your home. But, if you see a creature that looks a lot like a spider under the microscope then it is what you think it is. They have several hairy legs but have no antenna or eyes. A microscope hardly costs a few bucks, and you can get your hands on them from toy shops or the stores that sell science equipment needed by kids. Keep in mind you need one that has the capability to magnify the object you see by at least 10x.

Using a strip of tape, take samples from your home. Start with the dusted corners of your home and then proceed towards your bedding, toys, and clothes. Place it under the microscope. What is it that you see? The discharge of dust mites resembles pellets and is brown in color; they are pretty dangerous as well.

Dust Mite Allergies

A dust mite has the power and ability to survive in any given condition, though they prefer humidity and love warm places. When your house is inhabited by dust mites, and you inhale their waste products it ends up affecting your immunity system. This happens because your body produces antibodies against a harmless reaction. This ends up affecting a person, and they experience several kinds of reactions related to the dust mite allergy.

The symptoms of dust mite allergies:

Watch out for these signs. Dust mites cause inflammation in the nasal passages which leads to the following symptoms.

• A runny nose
• Sneezing
• Watery eyes
• Congestion
• Itchiness in the throat, mouth, and nose
• Cough
• Postnasal drip
• Pain in the facial region

People who have Asthma can suffer from severe problems like:

• Pain and tightness in the chest
• Breathing problems
• Coughing, wheezing, or whistling sounds when you sleep
• Respiratory tract problems

Most of the signs of dust mite allergies are similar to that of common cold. This makes it really difficult to understand that you are suffering from an allergic reaction to dust mites and not cold. Seek the assistance of a doctor as soon as you see some of the symptoms.

How to treat dust mite allergies?

The treatment of dust mite allergies includes the following:

• The use of decongestants time to time to take care of blocked nasal passages.
• Antihistamine for watery eyes.
• Nasal steroids to take care of the inflammation in the nasal passages.
• If these don’t put you at ease and take care of your allergies, then you need to see a doctor.

Dust Mites Rash

If you find your skin covered in tiny red bumps, then be sure that it is a rash and the reason behind it is are dust mites. These rashes can be extremely annoying as they cause a lot of itching. Dust mites don’t bite you like a bed bug or like that of a mosquito.

In case of a dust mite, you suffer from allergies by inhaling the proteins that a dust mite releases. Dust mites secrete this protein as a waste; they have no teeth to bite. This protein is an allergen and is responsible for all the rashes.

Ways to Get Rid of Dust Mites

Dust mites can be the cause of several sorrows a human face in his or her home. It is time that you get rid of this invisible nuisance from your bedding, clothes, curtains, and upholstery.

Here are a few effective ways:

Control the temperature and the humidity

In order to shoo them away make sure they are not comfy. Dust mites don’t like dry surrounding. If the humidity is more than 50%, then you will face several problems related to dust mites. You can use a dehumidifier to take care of the problem. Dust mites are mostly found in beddings that is why you have to control the temperature in the bedroom.

Start dusting

Dust mites feed themselves on the skin flakes from humans, mold, and animals. That is why they are present mostly in the dust. Get rid of what dust mites consume, the problem itself will go away. Using a damp cloth, dust the furniture. Don’t use a dry cloth; this will elevate the problem and spread them more. Shelves, furniture, pictures, books, and any place they can survive should be dusted regularly.

You should also vacuum your carpets and curtains. Make sure you cover the whole house.

Wash your beddings

Wash your bed sheets, pillow covers, blankets, and cushions. Use hot water along with strong detergent to kill all of them.

Don’t miss out the toys

Dust mites love snuggly, and comfy places. What can be more comfortable than soft toys? Wash all the stuffed toys on a regular basis. Children can suffer from rashes and allergies if the soft toys aren’t cleaned every now and then.

The use of disinfectants

The supermarkets have some pretty powerful disinfectants that can help you to kill the mites. This will help you to turn your house into a healthier place. Apart from keeping your house clean, use disinfectants to kill them. Spray around furniture, corners, floors, curtains, shelves, baseboards, and so on.

Prevention of Dust mites

To stay far away from the harmful clutches of dust mites you have to limit the exposure to them. Follow these tips to prevent dust mites.

• Use airtight couch, pillows, and mattress.
• The use of a dehumidifier.
• Exchange curtains with blinds.
• If you can’t take care of stuffed toys, don’t use them.
• Don’t use carpets.
• Mop the floors with disinfectants.

Dust mites are a serious problem and can result in a lot of health-related issues. In order to enjoy a safe and healthy life, it is time you remove them from your home.