About Dust Mites

Meet the Dust Mite -- he's the one culprit allergy suffers shouldn't overlook. Of the many components of house dust, a microscopic creature called the Dust Mite causes the most trouble. These bugs feed off skin scales and dander shed by humans and appear to be the major allergen (allergy-causing substance) in house dust. A study in England showed that 10% of the total population and 90% of allergic asthmatics had positive skin tests to dust mites. Recent studies in the U.S. suggest at least 45% of asthmatics are highly allergic to dust mites. Mites are members of the eight-legged Arachnid family which includes spiders, chiggers, and ticks. Like the germs on your doorknob, they can't be seen without a microscope. They thrive in warm, humid conditions. They do not bite or sting, but they do contain strong, harmful allergens in their secretions and excrements. Dust mites cannot survive when the humidity falls below 40-50%, so they're rare in dry, high altitude areas.
Are dust mites a symptom of a dirty house? No, a dirty house can certainly worsen the problem but, the truth is, dust mites can and will live wherever there is a food source and the humidity is to their liking. Ordinary housekeeping measures are just not sufficient in homes with allergy sufferers and, as such, more extensive measures need to be taken.	If you or someone in your family suffers from asthma, allergies, itchy red eyes, eczema, headaches, sinus pain, hay fever, fatigue, or head congestion of any kind, you may well be sleeping with DUST MITES!
A Few Facts About Dust Mites Dust Mites are among the most powerful biological allergens! Dust Mite's main food source is dead human skin flakes and animal dander. Of all the rooms in a house, bedrooms by far, have the largest number of Dust Mites. Clean, sanitized mattresses can help reduce the problem. On average, you breathe in 2 heaping teaspoons of airborne contaminates per day, much of which happens while you sleep on your mattress.
A major component of household dust is Dust Mite feces and Dust Mite carcasses. A single ounce of dust can have 42,000 Dust Mites. Present day "cold water" laundering habits do nothing to reduce the problem of Dust Mites because it takes hot water (over 140°) to kill them.