Dust mites are microscopic creatures that live in the air and feed on dust and moisture. They’re so little that you can hardly see them with the naked eye. However, despite their little size, dust mites may be quite disruptive and painful for those of us who are allergic to them.
Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to help avoid a dust mite allergy. From bedding to cleaning, let’s take a deeper look at how you can eradicate dust mites and avoid allergic reactions.
Bedding
Paying care to your bedding is one of the simplest methods to minimize dust mite allergy symptoms. Once a week, wash all bedding in hot water. Invest in “mite-proof” mattress and pillow covers to help seal in allergens so you don’t have to breathe them in.
These allergen-proof bed coverings are frequently made of vinyl or plastic and are simple to zip and unzip over mattresses and pillows (and convenient to clean when needed). Some people also recommend sprinkling baking soda and a few drops of essential oil on top of the mattress, allowing it to soak in, and then vacuuming it away.
Humidifiers
Breathing in higher-humidity air can help alleviate annoying allergy symptoms. When it comes to a dust mite allergy, pay special attention to the humidity level in your house. This is due to the fact that dust mites can only flourish at humidity levels of 70 to 80 percent. Find the perfect humidity level that reduces dust mites and relieves your dust allergy while not encouraging the annoying dust mites to grow. Aim for a home humidity of 50% or less as a general guideline.
Vacuum
Dry vacuuming will not take up dust mites since it stirs up particles and produces shortness of breath in persons who are sensitive to dust.
Instead, consider cleaning the carpet with a wet vacuum or steam cleaning. The heat from the steam will kill dust mites and help relieve your allergy to dust mites. If you must use a vacuum cleaner, use one with a HEPA filter or a double-thickness bag to assist catch dust mite allergens.
Cleaning the house
Aim to deep clean your home on a regular basis to reduce dust exposure and prevent it from gathering. If you are allergic to dust, wear a mask when dusting or have a family member or friend dust for you.
Look for objects that are renowned dust catchers, such as books and plush animals. Remove these objects from rooms where you spend a lot of time, or maintain them clean and dust-free.
Furthermore, if you own a pet, you may be experiencing pet allergy symptoms caused by dander. Pet dander can accumulate, increasing your exposure to this allergen as well as dust mites, perhaps exacerbating your allergy symptoms. If you have a pet, vacuum often to eliminate excess dander.
Flooring
If feasible, use hardwood or tile flooring to help control your dust mite allergies, especially in bedrooms or other locations where you sleep. Replace wall-to-wall carpeting as well as non-washable materials (like some types of thick curtains and window coverings where dust may gather). House dust mites sometimes “hide” in carpet and rugs, so eliminating these dust-gathering household items, especially if they’re un-washable, may help reduce your dust mite allergy symptoms.
Consult a Doctor
If you are looking for an expert who could treat your dust mite allergy better, you can reach out to one of the best pulmonologists in Karachi at South City Hospital. They have the best equipment’s and laboratories that can enable them diagnose your condition better along with treating you with the best possible therapy.