| If you are not familiar with dust mites, these are | | | | carpeted, look into replacing it with tile or wood |
| microscopic bugs living in your home, feeding off the | | | | floors to decrease dust mite living space. Since not |
| unseen cells of dead skin and pet dander. Though | | | | everyone can simply tear out the carpet, the other |
| you may not see them, they are present on | | | | option is to hire a professional carpet cleaning |
| surfaces throughout the home, and are especially | | | | company once a month, or rent a steam cleaner and |
| troublesome in an infested mattress. | | | | do it yourself. |
| The bug's waste material causes many people to | | | | Common Allergy Symptoms and Prevention |
| develop a dust mite allergy, which includes sneezing, | | | | Some people develop an outright allergy to dust |
| itching, congestion and runny noses. Asthmatics have | | | | mites, making it miserable for them to be in their |
| it even worse, as a reaction to dust mites can | | | | homes when there is an infestation. This |
| exacerbate their condition. | | | | hypersensitivity can cause asthmatic symptoms and |
| Reducing the Infestation | | | | even aggravate skin problems like eczema. |
| These tiny bugs are attracted to dust-filled pockets | | | | Unfortunately, the excretions from these critters can |
| of humidity and warmth; such as where you sleep, | | | | be left everywhere, flying into the air and causing |
| but also in the cozy furniture in living rooms. While | | | | reactions in sensitive people much like pollen. These |
| completely eradicating these pests may not be | | | | reactions are made worse by typical pollutants such |
| possible, a thorough and regular cleaning can help | | | | as cigarette or other tobacco smoke, fireplace or |
| reduce the number of mites in the home. | | | | cooking smoke, and fumes from gasoline. |
| Once a top to bottom cleaning is finished, it is | | | | Working to prevent reactions means taking the |
| important to seal any potential hideouts for these | | | | cleaning precautions above, and sealing every possible |
| bugs, starting with the mattress and bed linens. This | | | | surface with a cover designed to repel dust. Eliminate |
| is the most common area of concentration, so wash | | | | carpeted areas where possible, and air out the house |
| bedding weekly in hot water. To discourage dust | | | | to create an unfriendly environment for the mites. |
| mites, cover the mattress and pillows in | | | | Once you have spoken to a medical professional and |
| hypo-allergenic, dust-proof covers, and wash these | | | | determined the problem to be dust mites, more |
| regularly as well. Temperature is important in order to | | | | changes in the home can be made to prevent |
| kill the mites in the wash. | | | | infestations. These include thoroughly cleaning dusty |
| The next area to look at is living room furniture and | | | | surfaces with a moist cloth, using washable rugs, and |
| rugs, as well as carpeted areas of your home. If | | | | buying furniture with more air flow underneath it. |
| these areas seem to be a problem for you, remove | | | | Eliminate fabric where you can; if you have fabric |
| the cushion covers and wrap the inner foam in | | | | curtains, consider replacing them with plastic or |
| dust-proof covers, washing all removable pieces in | | | | wooden blinds. Replace bedding and blankets made |
| the same manner as the bedding. | | | | from synthetics or natural cotton, and always avoid |
| For area rugs, consider steam cleaning, or dry | | | | wool, as it creates the perfect place for mites to |
| cleaning if necessary. If the bedroom area is | | | | settle. |