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dust mites

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Q: Allergic to dust mites, any help removing/controlling them from my bed?
I have read some sites about how to control/remove dust mites and all of the stuff they leave behind. I just still need some more info about how to get rid of them from my pillow and mattress. It’s becoming a big problem and I just want as little mites as humanly possible in my mattress> Any tips or websites I need to check out?

A: Controlling dust mites

Dust mites are visible only through a microscope. People are allergic to dust mites’ droppings, not the dust mites themselves. Allergy to dust mites is a year-round problem.

* Keep the house aired out and dry. Dust mites do well where humidity is greater than 50% but do not do well in dry conditions. Try to keep the moisture level (humidity) below 50%. This may be difficult in some seasons and some climates. Plants and fish tanks contribute to humidity, so keep these out of the bedroom.
* Dry vacuuming doesn’t pick up dust mites. Consider steam cleaning carpets when possible. In addition to cleaning the carpet, the heat of the steam kills dust mites.
* You can buy chemicals (ascaricides) that kill dust mites to use on carpeting and furniture. However, many experts do not consider them effective enough to be worth the trouble and expense of using them.
* Wash bedding, including pillowcases and mattress covers, in hot water [130 ° F (54.4 ° C)] every 2 weeks. You can also dry bedding at high temperatures.
* You can limit your contact with dust mites by using allergen-proof covers on your mattress, box spring, and pillows, and washing them regularly. This works well as part of an overall plan to reduce allergens in your home. It is not enough to use mattress and pillow covers without some of the other methods mentioned above.
Because adults spend one-third of their time and children spend half of their time in their bedrooms, it is important that you take steps to prevent allergens in this room.

the following steps may be helpful.
Air

* Do not use window or attic fans, which bring air containing pollen, mold spores, and other allergens into your home.
* Use air conditioning so you do not have to open windows. This will help reduce the amount of pollen and mold spores that enter your home.
* Use an air cleaner with a special high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. This can help remove some allergens (such as pollen or animal dander) and tobacco smoke from the air in your home.

Furniture, carpets, drapes, and bedding

* Avoid carpet, upholstered furniture, and heavy drapes that collect dust. Avoid furniture covered with fabrics. Use pillow and mattress covers made from a tight-weave fabric that keeps out dust and mites.
* Use furniture made of wood, plastic, leather, or vinyl (including vinyl mattress covers) that you can wipe clean. Note: Vinyl mattress covers can be uncomfortable to sleep on.
* Remove rugs and wall-to-wall carpeting. Talk with your family about this and about how this will affect family life. If you cannot or do not want to remove carpeting throughout the home, consider removing it only in the bedroom.
* Use smaller rugs (throw rugs, area rugs) that you can wash.
* Replace drapes and blinds with roll-down shades or washable curtains.
* Remove “dust collectors” from bedrooms, such as stuffed toys, wall hangings, books, knickknacks, and artificial flowers.
* Avoid wool blankets and down quilts.

Cleaning

* Damp-mop hard floors (tile or hardwood, for example) once a day.
* Dust and vacuum once or twice a week to remove the buildup of allergens. Use a dry cloth to wipe hard surfaces such as countertops, tables, and other furniture.
* Vacuum the carpets and cloth-covered furniture to get rid of as much dust as you can.
* Use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter or a special double-thickness bag, which collects dust-mite particles and pollen. Standard paper bag filters may allow the stirred-up allergens to escape back into the room.
* Dusting and vacuuming stir up dust, making the air worse until the dust settles. Wear a mask if you do the cleaning yourself. If possible, try to have someone without allergies do the cleaning.
* Consider wet-vacuum cleaning when possible. This can help remove allergens from carpeting because it actually washes the carpet. Also, consider steam cleaning carpets when possible. In addition to cleaning the carpet, the heat of the steam kills dust mites.

Q: Does it bother you that your bed has 1.5 million dust mites living in it?
According to the BBC: “The average bed could be home to up to 1.5 million house dust mites.”

I find this disgusting I’ve tried looking but I can’t see them on the mattress.

A: There’s nothing new in that information, we’ve been living with them for years so why should it bother us? These programmes present long known facts as if they are new and something we should worry about. It didn’t bother you before you knew so what’s the difference?

Q: What happens if you enhale dust mites?
do we do it all the time? How does our body react? What happens to the dust mites we enhale?

A: Mite waste products contain an allergen (a substance that causes an allergic immune reaction) that, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, adversely affects about 20 million Americans.

Sensitive individuals become exposed to this allergen when they inhale household dust, which contains dust mites and their waste products. Exposure to dust mites can trigger an attack in an asthmatic who is sensitive to the dust mite allergen. (Other asthmatics may not be affected by dust mites.) For persons allergic to dust mite allergen, exposure can cause allergic rhinitis (hay fever), which is characterized by nasal congestion, itching, and sneezing.

In addition, exposure to dust mites may cause children who are predisposed to develop asthma to do so. (This predisposition is not fully understood, but appears to depend upon a combination of hereditary and environmental factors.) For more information on asthma and allergies

Q: I’m thinking of buying a used mattress. Is there a way to clean it, for dust mites and what not?
The mattress is 7 years old, but I’m worried about buying it used. I hear horror stories about dust mites and what not and I didn’t know if there is some way you can vaccuum the mattress or something to ’sanitize’ it.

A: Ugh….Just buy a new one!

Q: Does anyone know what kind of mites you would find in your home that are larger than dust mites?
I found them last night on my bed stand and on jarred candles. They are visable with the naked eye which makes me think they are not dust mites. Under a magnifying glass they appear to be black and cream colored. From far away they look like moving specks of dust. They seem to be taking over and now I don’t know how to get rid of them.

A: Oh good heavens, how I so hate theses creatures. Please follow these simple cleaining rules and your problems should be settled rather quickly ! !

Vacuum and dry-clean draperies. If possible, purchase machine-washable drapes to save time and money.

Wash stuffed animals and keep them off the bed.

Cover cloth furniture with slipcovers and mattresses and pillows with allergen barriers so they can be cleaned regularly.

Choose wood or other smooth flooring, rather than carpeting, especially in bedrooms. Dirt and dust is easier to see, making it easier to clean.

Trade in your traditional cloth mattress for a waterbed. Dirt and dust will be easier to see and clean on the vinyl. Use a damp cloth to clean and wipe dry.

If you can write your name in it, it’s too late. Dust regularly.

Good Luck,
Isabel

Q: Sleeping Bag to Avoid Dust Mites for Bedding?
My son is itchy due to dust mites and the leavings. We got the dust-mite proof sheets, my wife puts a cotten sheet over it. However he is still itchy. How about using one of those weather proof sleeping bags? Thanks.

A: There is no way to get rid of or avoid dust mites, they live in everything including sleeping bags. You were right to get the special sheets, if it is still bad I would suggest two other precautions in addition to the sheets. 1. There is a anti dust mite spray you can buy at places like bed,bath and beyond, spray the mattress directly. 2. Put on a plastic cover over the mattress, then the under bedding and then the special sheets. I used to have the same allergy when I was younger and those were the measures my parents took and it worked. Good Luck

Q: How can I measure/count dust mites for an experiment?
I am doing a project that tests the effects of certain substances on dust mites and whether it will kill them. I’ve read some papers but none of them seem to tell me how I can actually quantify the number of dust mites.
I know that they are really small, but my experiment idea is really interesting and I want to be able to test it out.

This is the most important part of the experiment. PLEASE HELP! ANY IDEAS ARE WELCOME!

*Also how would I ask for a mentor in this area? THANK YOU SO MUCH

A: Well if you could estimate the mass of 1 dust mite, then you could weigh the sample and divide by the mass… but if you’re trying to kill them this won’t help since they will still be there, they’ll just be dead…

Q: On the allergy test, what is the allergen on top of Dust Mites?
I got allergy tested and was positive for Dust Mites and when I got home the area for the allergen above it was irritated for two days. What is that?

A: My daughter recently took this test and was also allergic to dust mites. She had 2 irritated spots in the same area that the allergist said were both dust mites, they were just different types of dust mites.

Q: I have read that tannic acid reduces the allergen effect of dust mites. Has anyone tried this?
My dog is allergic to dust mites and is currently receiving immunotherapy injections. Wondered if anyone has tried using tannic acid.

A: Hi- I am not sure how tannic acid would work by itself? May be too toxic?
With some type of a mix it should be helpful-
see link

http://www.appliedhealth.com/nutri/page8477.php

Also, Ask your Vet if you pal can have a NuVET Plus Wafer each day/ Skin and coat healer and it helps to build the immune system … SEE here: http://www.nuvet.com/81098
Tell them that Pet Nurse Marie has 1000s of clients on the NuVET for Allergies…

I sure hope this helps you.

Q: How much weight does a bed gain from dust mites?
I heard that a bed can add twice its weight from dust mites in 7 years. Is that true?

A: Very possible and probably very true over a 10 year period.

Consider the following:
95% of the homes in the U.S. have dust mites (where the other 5% are, I have no idea). Of the 95% of homes with dust mites, over 50% are INFESTED with dust mites. Our beds provide an ideal micro-habitat for dust mites and other microbials such as mold, mildew, fungi, spores, bacteria, and viruses. In addition, our mattresses accumulate shed human skin, pet dander, and even pollen transported indoors on our clothes, shoes, hats, coats, and hair.

Humans provide all the moisture and food necessary for dust mites to live, thrive, and breed in the miniature eco-system we create while sleeping comfy and cozy in our beds.

An average queen-sized mattress is host to around 2 million dust mites. A dust mite poops 20 to 30 fecal pellets, 15 microns in size, per day (actually night, as they are nocturnal). So that equates to 40-60 million FRESH fecal pellets in your mattress each morning you awake. Dust mites live for 100 days…so one average-sized colony leaves 40 to 60 TRILLION fecal pellets in your mattress over their lifetime and of course as they die off…many more replace the dead ones.

The digestive system of a dust mite produces a protein called guanine. The guanine breaks down hard to digest foods which also allows dust mites to practice “corphagia” meaning they can survive by eating their own feces just in case you decide to put a mite-proof mattress cover on your mattress.

The fecal pellets dry up and become powdery thus reducing the 15 micron size to an even much smaller size. All the contaminants in your bed become airborne each time you roll over in bed (50 to 60 times per night is average) or each time you fluff your pillow, or of course every time you and your significant other bounce on the bed.

When inhaled, guanine attaches to lung walls and kills healthy lung cells by suffocation.

BTW, the weight of a new pillow can increase 10%-25% in just a couple of years.

Dust mites have been around for about 300 million years, 2 months, and 4 days. They discovered man after man began sleeping on mattresses about 8 to 10 thousand years ago. Man discovered the absolutely healthy need to sleep on hygienic mattresses on, or about April 1st, 5993 B.C. But and for some unproven reason, man then forgot about the healthful benefits of sleeping on clean mattresses and pillows sometime around 1967 (LSD maybe?).

So here’s the bottom line…practice mattress hygiene…

it’s so easy, even a caveman can do it!

Free info “76 Tips to Reduce Dust Mites and Indoor Allergens” at this link:

http://www.sterilmattress.com/ebook_dust_mite_removal_tips.html

Mattress stain removal tips at this link:

http://www.sterilmattress.com/mattress_stain_removal_tips.html

Q: I read that rubbing alcohol can kill some dust mites in a mattress, is this dangerous?
the directions were:
rubbing alcohol and water, half and half, in a spray bottle, air to dry, then vacuum before putting clean sheets on.
It is supposed to decrease dust mite life and kill dust mite feces. Is it possible that it helps?
Is rubbing alcohol dangerous to inhale after its dried and vacuumed?

A: I would suggest using hydrogen peroxide instead of rubbing alcohol, since sunlight breaks it down to pure water when it’s exposed. That’s why they sell it in those dark brown bottles. That way there would be no harsh chemical smell to your bed and it would be less likely to bleach the fabric.

But yes, you should definitely regularly vacuum your matress. (So speaks a girl who sold Kirby vacuum cleaners door to door in college. The things I pulled out of people mattresses on a demo would make anyone shudder.)

Q: Dust mites/ Magnifying glass. How strong of a magnifying glass do i need to see Dust mites?
I wanted to see if I got dust mites under a magnifying glass. i have a 10 X strong one now and i cant see them, I want to be able to see their legs and and stuff. How strong does it have to be?

A: It is possible to see a dust mite under a magnifying glass, when the subject is well lit and placed on a black background. A typical house dust mite measures 420 µm in length and 250 to 320 µm in width.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dust_mites

Any readily obtainable one – I looked at them when a kid – if the one you have is not strong enough – use two in series.

Q: how do you get rid of dust mites from clothing and home?
this sounds really strange but hear goes….. I am not a dirty person but I believe my house has dust mites. When I go out people are highly allergic to my clothing. Any suggestions……..

A: im not really sure but i heard humidifiers get rid of mold?
dust and vacuum your house a lot.
make sure to get your sheets changed often
also, ask you dr. for some tips.

Q: Has anyone used a UV light for killing dust mites, viruses, and bacteria to help alleviate allergies?
My 2 1/2 year old daughter has terrible allergies, she has been suffering since she was 5 months old. She had 12 sinus infections and 3 ear infections in her first 2 years alone. We started her on Flonase 6 months ago, which really helped teh infections, but since September 1st she has had a lot of congestion again, and has been coughing for at least 2 hours each night due to drainage. We had a Sharper Image UV air purifier, but it has broken 2 weeks ago and we are getting it replaced, not having the unit may be making her allergies worse, we are not sure. We tried Claritin syrup for the past 2 weeks but it does not agree with her stomach. Would a portable UV lamp wand help with some of her symptoms? Has anyone tried the UV wands for dust mites, bacteria, and viruses? The one I see on-line costs nearly $300, would a small aquarium UV light work in the same way for a lot less? ($50?) What is your opinion on UV light alleviating dust mite allergies, do you think it is worth it?
I thought that insect lights attracted insects, then the electric shock killed them!! Anyway, thinking more about it, my daughter’s allergis are more seasonal, probably not dust related so much, since all summer she was 100% fine, it really kicked up first week in September as it has when she was 5 months old (she was born April 3) and 18 months old, she is now 30 months old-my doctor (who I just called) agreed it was seasonal for her. I did not know that the HEPA filters are better I will look into those for her too, that is a better idea for her. She does not have asthma though thank goodness, and she is mostly ok during the day, night time is worse for her. Our house is 15 years old and I know the ducts are very dusty also. I jsut thought the idea of the UV light wand was very interesting.

A: Your daughter would benefit more from a regular HEPA air purifier. The Sharper Image ones are better than none at all, but they do not do the job that a normal air purifier does. There is no substitute for one as you are finding out. It does not take dust, pollen, danders out of the air like a HEPA does. If you’re ready to spend $300. on her health, it would be a good idea if you purchase a HEPA air purifier as they are the only ones that would be able to help her breathing.

You also have to change her bedroom and make it sparse enough that dust does not cling to, such as remove drapes, substitute shades, no carpeting, get special dust-mite proof sheets, pillow cases, and mattress/box spring covers. The walls needs to be wiped down on a regular basis, stuffed animals have to be washed regularly.

Check the website below.

Q: What is the best product that eliminates dust mites?
everything in my room is covered with dust mites. my futon, my carpet especially, and my bed and pillows, not to mention dvds, and anything on the floor……..i need a cure! what can i use that is safe to breath but will kill these buggers? im so frustrated and its making me sick to the point where i cant breath at night, and i wake up with sore throat every morning. and i think im developing asthma because of it…..please someone help!!!! thanks in advance
what brand of spray/powder should i use? where can i buy it? thx

A: First please understand that dust mites are going to happen-regardless od any “product” you use.They are not bugs you can get rid of.All houses regardless of how well they clean have them.You can reduce all your symptoms,and feel much better if you properly take care of your room.Assuming you have been tested,and you are in fact allergic to dust mites.Please get somone else to do this- if at all possible.If not wear a mask(pharmacy or hardware store)a hat,and removable outer clothing(old t shirt,etc.) Now- Take out the carpet,take out the Futon,and all cloth and fiber fabrics.Clean(with murpys oil soap or other low allergen cleaning soap) the baseboards,floors,tables,etc. any remaining surfaces should be hard furniture and wipable.If you can afford to-throw away your pillows and buy new ones-also buy allergy covers- wal mart and k mart has them at a great price- buy a allergy cover for your futon- probably will be a full or double size mattress cover.If you cannot afford to throw out the pillows-then wash in the hottest water possible with normal soap and put in the dryer on the hottest setting- do this with every cloth item in your room(you will be doing it once a week)After the room is completely dry- inspect your heating/colling vent- put cheesecloth(can get at hardware strore) on it- just unscrew and wrap a pice around the vent and screw back in.Check the light source-cieling fixtures and clean them too.If you must have any carpet or drapes make sure they are washable.(cotton throw rugs)Every curtain must be washed the same way as the bedding.This seems extreme at first but- you will get used to it and it adds only a couple hours to your cleaning once a week well worth your health! o.k. now put all allergy covers on the mattress and pillows.Then return them to the room-look around and check everything has been washed.Then ditch the dust covered clothes and shower.Since Dust mites cannot be avoided what you are doing is “trapping them” in the allergy covers so they cannot get to you.This is gross but the truth is the average pillow and mattress over 6 months old has thousands of these that come out at night and urinate and defacate on your bed-yes I am serious.It is the “droppings” people are alleric to.You will feel so much better! I would continue this pattern of cleaning throughout your house if possible and have your couch/cloth chairs steam cleaned at least twice a year.Stuffed animals,extra throw blankets,are dust mite catchers.If you have a favorite fabric thing,stick it in the freezer in a plastic bag at night(such as a stuffed bear) or during the day-whichever.This will kill them also.Make sure they get washed too.Make sure your vacum has a hepa filter and someone else does the vacuming.Good Luck this worked for me.

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