Home & Garden

Air Purifiers: Dust Mite Allergies

Dust mite allergies are more common than a lot of people think, if only because dust mites can lay their droppings just about anywhere. As a general rule, dust mites stick to–where else?–dusty corners, such as those you find in bedrooms, living rooms, and bathrooms. There, they hatch, feed, grow, defecate, and propagate, meaning an even greater army of dust mites is on its way.

Dust mite allergies arise when these airborne allergens infiltrate our systems, which is usually done through the dermis. Contact with rugs, linens, and other havens for dust mites only increases the rate of their absorption into our skin. Once these critters are inside us, they often launch an immune response from our skins mast cells, which are charged with fending off these irritants.

Common Dust Mite Allergies
As with most allergies, dust mite allergies manifest themselves through a range of symptoms including sneezing and coughing, itching, and burning. Antihistamines can be effective for temporary allergy relief, but if youre living or working in a contaminated environment, this will only be a band aid. You may need a thorough cleaning of your wool, linen, cotton, and other fabrics as well as a clean sweep of the premises to remove built-up dust.

Dust mite control isnt difficult, but effective control requires constant monitoring and regular cleaning, which is too much for most people to handle by themselves. The average person is too busy to make a once-a-week go-round through his or her home in search of dust mite colonies, which is where hiring an expert comes in. You may find that after only one cleaning, your skin allergies start to clear up, especially if your mites have been thriving right there in your bed or sofa.