Dust Mites
It was once believed that dust itself was the cause of allergic
reactions. But now it’s known that tiny creatures called dust mites, which inhabit the dust, are the problem. Dust mites are 8-legged
microscopic animals that are related to spiders and ticks. Up to 500
dust mites can live in one gram of dust. (One gram weighs about as much
as a paper clip.).
Fortunately for those living 3000 or more feet above sea level, dust
mites can’t survive at high altitude. They require water to survive, so
they thrive best in humid regions. Their principal food is shed human
skin. This dietary preference causes them to gravitate towards areas of
human habitation. And, with the average human sloughing off one pound
of dead skin per year, dust mites typically have plenty to eat. Too
small to be seen, their droppings and their decaying bodies can cause
allergic reactions when inhaled by people with dust mite sensitivities,
or when dust mites come into contact with their skin.
The symptoms of dust mite allergies are like those seen in other
common allergies—sneezing, wheezing, itchy eyes, cough, and other
symptoms common to allergic rhinitis. Up to 10 percent of the U.S. population
is allergic to dust mite, and in some regions, dust mites may play a
role in up to 90 percent of allergic asthma cases.
Where Dust Mites Live
Bedrooms are a prime habitat, and a used mattress can contain
100,000 to 10 million mites. Dust mites also can be found anywhere dust
collects, such as drapes, stuffed toys and carpets. Dusty houses can make
the problem worse. But clean houses aren’t immune. Normal cleaning
processes aren’t typically adequate to reduce the dust mite population.
Bedding provides the perfect warm environment for dust mites, with a
constant supply of dead skin. That’s why dust mites are often the
culprit when people with asthma have more attacks at night.
