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What are dust mites? The house dust mite gets its name from its habitat – household dust. The main component of dust is shed skin flakes, which is the mite’s preferred food source. Areas around the home that are heavily used, such as beds and upholstered furniture, will have much higher mite populations than the rest of the house.

The most common type of dust mite found in American homes is Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, which tends to prefer coastal rather than inland areas. This mite has been associated with dermatological and respiratory.

However, there is no single, definitive sign that house dust mites trigger a person’s allergy symptoms.

Asthma, for example, can be triggered by a range of other indoor allergens such as or animal dander (hair, fur or feathers). House dust mites can trigger respiratory or dermatological conditions including asthma and eczema.

Symptoms can include: skin rashes

The characteristics of a house dust mite include:

  • life span of around 2 months or so
  • depending on the conditions. Unlike other common household bugs (fleas
  • for example)
  • dust mites don’t bite. Their bodies secretions faeces contain particular proteins that can trigger allergic symptoms in susceptible people

It prefers warm, humid and dark environments. Common hiding spots around the home include: soft toys. can determine whether house dust mites trigger your respiratory or dermatological symptoms.

See your doctor for further information and advice regarding , which involves deliberately exposing you to dust mite extracts to ‘train’ your immune system not to overreact. Measures designed to reduce your household’s dust mite population may also be helpful. It is impossible to destroy your entire dust mite population, but you can reduce their numbers.

Allergic reactions are dose-related, so the fewer dust mites you have in your home, the less you may be troubled by respiratory or dermatological symptoms. It is important to remember that the droppings of dead dust mites continue to provoke allergic reactions. You must not only reduce your dust mite population, but also take steps to remove their dead bodies and faeces from your home.

Cover mattresses, pillows and quilts with dust mite resistant covers. The covers must be washed every 2 months. Some health funds may provide a rebate for these items. Wash sheets and pillowcases weekly in water hotter than 60 °C.

Alternatively, if washing in cold water, use a commercial product containing essential oils, such as eucalyptus or tea tree oil. Hot tumble dry (for half an hour after dry) or dry clean household items – this will kill house dust mites, but not the allergen they produce. Wash blankets and non-encased doonas every 2 months.

Use synthetic rather than feather pillows and doonas, as these tolerate regular washing. Remove sheepskin or woollen underlays and any other sheepskin products. Remove all soft toys from the bedroom and replace with wooden or plastic toys, which can be washed.

Soft toys should be washed weekly using the same method used for sheets. (Freezing soft toys overnight doesn’t work, because it doesn’t remove the allergen.) Damp dust or use electrostatic cloths to clean hard surfaces weekly, rather than a feather duster. Reduce humidity – have a dry and well-ventilated house.

Have adequate floor and wall insulation and avoid evaporative coolers.

Avoid upholstered furniture – leather, vinyl, plastic and wood are best

Avoid heavy curtains – Venetian blinds or flat blinds are better.

Washable curtains or external shutters are other options

Wash clothing before use if it has been stored for a long time. Remove carpets, rugs and mats (where practical and affordable) – bare boards and tiled floors are preferable as they can be damp mopped or cleaned with electrostatic cloths. Wash rugs and mats regularly and dry them outside in full sunshine (if possible).

Vacuum weekly, including the seams of mattresses and upholstered furniture. Vacuuming causes house dust mite allergens to become airborne for up to 20 minutes, so if you are allergic to dust mites, you should wear a mask or ask someone else to vacuum. You may air the house for an hour or so after vacuum cleaning to help clear the air.

Some treatments that claim to reduce dust mite populations have little or no benefit, including: allergen-free products. allergies in humans, such as eczema and asthma fungi (moulds) Symptoms of allergic reaction to dust mites wheezing coughing breathlessness a tight feeling in the chest runny nose itchy nose itchy, watery eyes itchy skin Physical characteristics of the house dust mite less than half a millimetre in length, which makes it hard to see with the naked eye wingless oval-shaped body light coloured body with fine stripes Allergic reaction to dust mites Common hiding spots for dust mites The diet of the house dust mite includes shed skin flakes, pollen mattresses and bed linen upholstered furniture shag-pile or long-fibred carpets Diagnosis and treatment for dust mite allergies Allergy testing evidence-based allergy tests If tests show that you are allergic to house dust mites, there are ways to reduce your immune system response.

For example, you could undergo allergen immunotherapy How to reduce the dust mites in your home Tips to reduce dust mites in your home Allergen minimisation strategies Dubious dust mite treatments chemical sprays air filters electric blankets negative ion generators Where to get help Your GP (doctor) American Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) Asthma United States 1800 278 462 Allergy & Anaphylaxis United States .

Key Points

  • main component of dust is shed skin flakes, which is the mite’s preferred food source
  • However, there is no single, definitive sign that house dust mites trigger a person’s allergy symptoms
  • Symptoms can include: skin rashes
  • Unlike other common household bugs (fleas, for example), dust mites don’t bite
  • Common hiding spots around the home include: soft toys