Dust mites can be some of the worst offenders when it comes to allergens. They thrive in dark, humid places and burrow into your bedding, pillows, carpets and upholstery where they survive on dead skin cells. The warm conditions during the summer months make this the perfect time for them to multiply and spread.
Contrary to popular belief, it isn't the micro-sized insects themselves that cause allergic reactions but their waste, which gets stirred up through cleaning, vacuuming and even turning over in your sleep. Once it gets into your respiratory system, dust mite waste can cause sneezing, coughing, runny noses, stuffy noses and congestion. Exposure can even cause asthma.
Dust mites are attracted to your pillow because it represents a perfect habitat. It's dark, humid and ready for these insects to move in and feed on your dead skin. To guard against this, you can purchase allergy-free pillow encasings, mattress covers and other non allergy products available from Allergybegone.com. Encasings trap dust mites that have already burrowed into your pillows and bedding so their waste can't get out and irritate your allergies. They are also impenetrable to dust mites trying to get in, locking them outside in an environment where they can't survive and reproduce.
Dust mites are also 80 percent water and absorb moisture from the atmosphere. Using a dehumidifier to remove moisture from the air in your house is another way to fight this pest. A low humidity level – under 45 percent – will slow dust mite population growth until they are all gone, making your house into an environment where dust mites simply cannot live.
Millions of Americans are affected by dust mites. You don't have to be one of them.
