Each adult person sheds about one and a half grams of skin every day. Dust mites are microscopic creatures that can live in your bedding and carpets and feed on this skin.
Facts About Dust Mites
Dust mites are everywhere — anywhere there are people or animals, warm temperatures, and high humidity. They like to be indoors, where they can get plenty of food like mold spores and dead skin cells from people and pets.
If you are sensitive or allergic to them, you may have:
- Watery, red eyes
- Runny or itchy nose and sneezing
- Sore throat or hoarse voice
- Coughing and other breathing problems
- Skin rash and itching
- Worsening of your asthma
Dust mites settle down in carpet, draperies, stuffed animals, and upholstered furniture. Mattresses, pillows, and soft bedding are favorite hangouts.
How to Minimize Dust Mites
- Use a bed with a wooden or metal frame.
- Wash bedding in hot water. Cold water does not kill dust mites.
- Wash sheets and pillowcases at least once a week. Wash comforters and bedspreads every one to two months.
- Wash and dry stuffed animals often and keep them off beds.
- Clean mattresses in late winter and early spring. That will kill any dust mites that survived the winter and reduce their numbers in the summer months.
Dr Renu Madan 