Hi everybody!!
I always have a problem with the dusty place whenever having to go there, I will always sneeze, itch and have an allergy. I know that it because of the dust mites and I want to mange it from my house. So, I searched and found a useful information that help me avoid the dust mite problem.:
Managing House Dust Mites
by Barb Ogg, PhD, Extension Educator
House dust mites are found in most homes. They are microscopic,
eight-legged creatures closely associated with us, but they are not
parasitic and do not bite. They don't burrow under the skin, like
scabies mites or live in skin follicles, like skin follicle mites.
The concern about dust mites is people are allergic to them.
Symptoms associated with dust mite allergies include sneezing, itchy,
watery eyes, nasal stuffiness, runny nose, stuffy ears, respiratory
problems, eczema and (in severe cases) asthma. Many people notice these
symptoms when they stir dust during cleaning activities. But, dust also
contains other allergens, including cat and dog dander, cigarette ash,
cockroach droppings, mold spores and pollen.
How can you find out if you're allergic to dust mites? An allergist, a
medical doctor specially trained to treat allergies, should be
consulted for proper diagnosis.
The dust mite allergen is their tiny feces and body fragments which
are components of dust. These particles are so small they can become
airborne and inhaled when dust is disturbed.
Biology:
There are two species of house dust mites found in North America.
These mites are so small they are virtually invisible without
magnification. Female mites lay cream-colored eggs coated with a sticky
substance so eggs will cling to the substrate. These mites have two
distinct immature stages. Under optimal conditions, the entire life
cycle from egg to adult takes three-four weeks.
House dust mites feed on human skin scales, pollen, fungi, bacteria
and animal dander. Dust mites do not drink free water, but absorb water
from the air and the environment.
To thrive, dust mites need very warm temperatures (75-80 degrees F)
and high humidity levels -- 70-80 percent relative humidity. One study
showed when humidity is 60 percent or lower, the mite population stops
growing and dies out.
Humans continually shed skin and lose about 1/5 ounce of dead skin
each week. We also spend about one-third of our lives sleeping so high
levels of dust mites are often associated with the bedroom, especially
bedding and the mattress. Dust mites also eat animal dander so allergens
will be plentiful in areas where family pets sleep.
Dust Mite Management:
To eliminate dust mite allergens, first, take actions to reduce dust
mite populations and second, reduce exposure to dust. No one method has
been found for reducing mites and relieving allergy suffering.
LOWER HUMIDITY -- Reduce humidity levels to less
than 50 percent inside your home, especially in the bedroom. This isn't
hard to do in the winter, but can be a challenge in Nebraska during
summer months, especially in homes without air conditioning. Studies
have shown air-conditioned homes have ten times fewer dust mite
allergens than non-air-conditioned homes. In addition to cooling the
house, air conditioning reduces the humidity dust mites need to thrive. A
study has shown using an electric blanket for eight hours each day
reduced dust mites by 50 percent in one month.
AVOID FURRY OR FEATHERED PETS -- Pets with fur or
feathers contribute to the dander in the dust and increase food source
for mites. If you are a pet lover, locate their sleeping quarters as far
from yours as possible and furnish their sleeping area so it can be
cleaned easily. Hardwood or vinyl floors with washable area rugs are
ideal.
REDUCING AIR INFILTRATION -- Airing out the house
with open windows allows entry of pollen, which is another allergen as
well as food for dust mites. In some climates, incoming air may be
humid, which promotes dust mites.
CLEANING/HEAT TREATMENTS -- Wash all bedding weekly.
Research has shown laundering with any detergent in warm water (77
degrees F) removes nearly all dust mite and cat allergen from bedding.
If you cannot launder blankets, dry clean them once a year. Shampoo,
steam clean or beat non-washable carpets once a year.
SELECT APPROPRIATE FURNISHINGS -- Avoid overstuffed
furniture because it collects dust. Also avoid wool fabrics/rugs because
wool sheds particles and is eaten by other insects. Use washable
curtains and rugs instead of wall-to-wall carpeting. If you cannot
replace carpeting, have it steam cleaned at least once a year,
springtime is best. This will prevent a build up of dust mites feeding
on skin cells in the carpet during the summertime. Enclose mattresses
and pillows in plastic to decrease mite populations in the bed. Replace
feather pillows with synthetic ones.
Dust Management:
Eliminating dust from the environment is important in reducing allergens in sensitive people.
VACUUMING -- The most important tool for managing
house dust and dust mites is the vacuum cleaner. Regular, thorough
vacuuming of carpets, furniture, textiles and other home furnishings
such as draperies will help keep dust mite populations low. Vacuums with
a water filter are preferable to those with a disposable paper bag
because a water vacuum removes a greater range of particle sizes than
paper-bag types. There are vacuums with highly efficient filters (HEPA)
designed for use by people with allergies to dust. It is better to
vacuum thoroughly once a week rather than lightly on a daily basis.
Vacuum mattresses and padded furniture thoroughly; 20 minutes for each
mattress is not too long.
DUSTING -- Dust furniture before you vacuum so
the dust has time to settle on the floor, where it can be picked up by
the vacuum. Do not scatter dust. Instead, dust with a damp cloth rather
than dry dusting. Spraying furniture polish/dusting liquid directly on
surface reduces airborne particles by 93 percent compared with dry
dusting.
AIR PURIFERS -- A researcher at the University of
Texas-Austin found a HEPA air filter was much more effective at removing
dust than ion-generating air purifiers which make particles
electrically charged to remove them from circulating air.
The problem with ion-generating air filters is they emit significant
amounts of ozone. Ozone irritates the lungs and can cause chest pain,
coughing, shortness of breath and throat irritation. According to the US
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), ozone may worsen chronic
respiratory diseases such as asthma and compromise the ability of the
body to fight respiratory infections. The EPA also states manufacturers
and vendors of ozone devices often use misleading terms to describe
ozone. Terms such as "energized oxygen" or "pure air" suggest ozone is a
healthy kind of oxygen. Ozone is a toxic gas with vastly different
chemical and toxicological properties from oxygen.
Chemicals:
No acaricides are registered for dust mite control, but benzyl
benzoate or tannic acid may reduce levels of dust mites. Be careful if
you decide to use these chemicals. According to the Mayo Clinic, these
chemicals worsen allergies in some people. It is wise to use
non-chemical dust mite control measures around people with serious
allergies.
Cleaning and non-toxic approaches listed above should give adequate control, except in humid, tropical regions of the world.
Thanks for the information from:
http://lancaster.unl.edu/pest/resources/dustmites311.shtml
