Health & Beauty Tips

Dust mites are a common problem, but for a large number people they can cause large problems. These microscopically small critters can be found in nearly every home and survive on dead skin cells and pet dander. They are not usually a problem for humans - they don't bite or suck human blood - their waste products and dead bodies are so small that they can be inhaled as dust and cause allergies in some people. An allergist can determine if you are allergic to dust mites.

If a person living in your home is allergic to dust mites, you should take measures to reduce the mite population and eliminate the source of the irritation. You should start by making the conditions less hospitable to the mites.

This can be done by lowering the humidity in your house; if the humidity level is less than 50 percent in your home, this will have a major impact on the number of dust mites.

Keep your house clean. Invest in professional upholstery cleaning and carpet cleaning, especially when there are pets in the house. Vacuum your drapery, floors, and upholstery regularly.

Change the bedding on all beds at least once a week and wash it in hot water to kill any existing mites. While your sheets are being cleaned, clean and vacuum your mattresses as thoroughly as possible. Dust mites love living in our bedding, because of all the old dead skin cells we shed so this step is especially important for improving the situation.

Use an air filter too, but be sure to find one of the top-of-the-line filters that can catch the tiny mites and their byproducts. Washable filters are not the way to go because they can actually harbor mites and make the problem worse. Be sure to use special allergy-reducing filters in your furnace as well.

If you have a more severe case of sensitivity, you may have to take more drastic measures. Unfortunately, household pets are one of the biggest sources of dust mite problems since mites love to feed on their dander. It is impossible to completely eliminate mites when a furry or feathery pet lives in the house. If you can't sufficiently reduce the mites through any of the other methods, you may need to find a new home for your pets.

Finally, make your home less favorable for the dust mite population. Use things such as latex covers on your mattresses, special hypoallergenic pillows, and short-pile carpets. Ensure that your furniture is not of the overstuffed variety, since this type of furniture can be very attractive to the dust mite population.

These steps may seem drastic, but dust mites are very troublesome to eliminate. Experiment with several of these methods until your problems decrease. Once you are able to live with greater comfort in your home and breathe easier, all of your effort will be well worth it.