Allergies, Inside & Out

The following is an Editorial Resource from YourTotalHealth.

Dust Mite Myths, Busted

Reviewed by: Marc J. Sicklick, MD, FAAAAI, FACAAI

Ever seen a dust mite up close? You probably don’t want to. Knowing that there may be millions of these alien-looking critters in your home probably doesn't fill you with a warm, fuzzy feeling, especially if you are allergic to them. The truth is, about 20 million Americans are allergic to dust mites, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA).

If you don't think you should worry about dust mites, then you may have fallen prey to some of the common misconceptions that follow.

Dust mites only live in dirty houses

Dust mites can live almost anywhere—and the cleanliness of your house has little bearing on whether or not these creepy little arachnids (yes, they have eight legs and are related to the spider) infest your home. If you have a bed, pillows or upholstered furniture, then you’re practically guaranteed to have dust mites. However, dust mites do have a hard time living in cold, dry conditions. So don’t overheat your home in the winter, keep it cool in the summer, and aim for low humidity (between 30 and 50 percent).

Vacuuming gets rid of dust mites

Vacuuming removes dust but misses up to 95 percent of dust mites, according to the AAFA. Here’s why: Most of them are buried deep inside the cushions and fabrics on your furniture. What works: Wash any removable fabrics in hot water, and cover mattresses, box springs, pillows and other fabrics that can’t be washed with hypoallergenic dust covers.

It’s the dust mites that you’re allergic to

Although this may seem like splitting hairs, dust mites themselves do not trigger allergic reactions in people. It’s actually their waste—the feces and dead body parts they leave behind—that contains the allergen. The AAFA estimates that a single dust mite is capable of generating up to 200 times its own body weight in waste during its lifetime.

What's Next: Everything You Didn't Want to Know About Cockroaches

• Meet the Allergens
  
• Manage Your Allergies
  
• Home: Your Allergy-Free Zone
  
• Keep Your Pet!
  
• Love the Outdoors Again
  
• Sneeze-Free Gardening
  
  

Review date: 08-03-2009