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Allergies and The House Dust Mite The inventor of the microscope, Anton van Leewnhooek, reported in 1694 that mites live in dust. Now, more than 300 years later, it's an established fact that dust mites live in dust all over the world. The scientific name for the house dust mite, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinsu, means 'skin-eating spider'. (It's closer to the arachnid family---spiders---than to the insect family). Just barely too small to be seen with the naked eye (you need a low-power 10X microscope), it has eight hairy legs, no eyes, a large mouth, and a tough outer shell, giving it a fearsome appearance Some Surprising Facts You Should Know * Exposure to house dust mites in the first, crucial year of life can trigger a lifelong allergy. There is no cure, only prevention. * Dust mites are suspected culprits in countless cases of eczema, hay fever and other allergic ailments. * In addition to the sneezing and respiratory problems common with most allergies, other reactions may include headaches, fatigue, and depression. * Dust mite related allergies are a close second to the most common allergen, which is pollen. * Estimates are that dust mites may be a factor in 50 to 80 percent of asthmatics. The causes and effects of allergies have long been known and can be a serious health threat. Still, allergies seem to be on the increase. They're the unwanted response of the immune system, resulting in inflammation of the eyes and nose (rhinitus), lungs (asthma), and skin (eczema). It's estimated that allergies affect some 40% of the population at some time and the percentage is on the increase. It's not mites themselves that cause allergies. It's their waste, for the most part. Their waste pellets contain proteins from digestive juices from the mite gut, which are quite potent. Add to this their dead bodies and shed skins (they molt several times during their 1-3 month lifetime), and you've got some pretty nasty dust. Over time, this 'dust' adds up on upholstered furniture, carpet, and bedding. So just what is house dust made of, anyway? As bad as the dust mite may seem, it's not responsible for all the sneezing, sniffling and wheezing in the average home. "Normal" house dust also contains human and animal dander (tiny skin flakes), bacteria, plant parts, pollen, natural and synthetic fibers, food particles, fungal spores, and a hundred other contaminants. Just by opening the door to enter or leave your house, dust enters. Dust is regularly brought in on shoes and clothing, or other items we bring into the house. But there is this other source of dust that we often don't consider: Dust is FORMED inside our homes. For allergy sufferers, one of the biggest dust problems is the contribution that our own bodies make to the dust problem: Dead skin flakes ("dander") are a favored food for dust mites. (Remember, their scientific name means "skin-eating spider".) Not only are tiny pieces of dead skin cells present in our mattresses and bedding, but also in the dust that settles on furniture and carpets. So, dust mites don't have to scavenge for long to find food. And their potent excrement becomes part of the dust, also. As they die, their remains are also added to this dust! (Pleasant thought, isn't it?) Some Disgusting Facts (that you may not want to know) * Ten percent of the weight of an unwashed, two year old feather pillow can be composed of dead mites and their droppings. (If you own a down feather pillow, wash it in hot water and/or dry it on the "cottons" setting twice a month!). * Humans shed about a fifth of an ounce of tiny skin flakes per week. (This is partially why it is important to vacuum weekly with a HEPA-filtered vacuum; dust and mites are constantly being formed). * The dust that you always see floating in a sunbeam? Turns out much of it is actually skin flakes. * A dust mite produces 200 times its weight in waste during its 1-3 month life, and females will lay 300 eggs. Fighting the Invisible Enemy It's nearly impossible to completely rid your home of dust mites. But they can be kept to a minimum and so can their threat to your family's health. How is this done? 1) Vacuum once per week all floors (carpeted or not) and your upholstered furniture. Especially furniture that you use a lot. What's the best type of vacuum cleaner? 2) Replace any feather and down pillows with those having synthetic fillings. 3) Weekly change and wash pillowcases, sheets, and under blankets. Dust mites cannot survive temperatures over 130 degrees F. for long, so if you can't wash in hot water, then dry on the "cottons" setting. 4) Replace any woolen blankets with synthetic ones. (I don't know why anyone would have wool blankets, anyway. They aren't very comfortable). 5) Have your upholstered furnishings and carpets professionally steam cleaned twice per year. Ideally, the machinery should be capable of producing consistent chemical temperatures of at least 150 degrees F. at the carpet surface. (This means that the temperature of the water at the truck would be at least 200 degrees F.---probably higher). It Doesn't Have to Look Dirty to be Filthy Most homeowners have their carpets cleaned on a haphazard schedule, waiting until the carpet starts to look dirty. Upholstered furniture gets neglected even more. What most people don't realize is that you spend quite a lot of time on furniture, yet it collects dander at nearly the same rate as bedding. Imagine if you went that long between bedding washings! If carpet or upholstery looks dirty, it is way past due for cleaning. This is no different than waiting until our bodies look dirty before deciding to take showers! |
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“it has eight hairy legs, no eyes, a large mouth, and a tough outer shell, giving it a fearsome appearance” |
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