How do you get away from dust mites?

The dust mite is a small animal (not an insect) that is closely related to ticks and spiders. People with a dust mite allergy are usually the only ones to know if there are dust mites in a certain home or room, as they will quickly experience symptoms from a runny nose and itchy eyes to migraines. Dust mite control is necessary if you have any family members with this allergy, but dust mites are not harmful to healthy people.

There are two types of dust mites, the European and the American. These creatures live in and around bedding, on sofas and in rugs and carpets and feed off miniscule flakes of human skin.

The Features of Dust Mites

Dust mites are microscopic creatures. Unless you have an allergy to dust mites you really would not be aware that these creatures are living in your home. Dust mites have eight legs (hence their relation to the common house spider) and are known to transport themselves from room to room by attaching themselves to clothes. Totally eliminating dust mites from your home is impossible.

Symptoms of a dust mite allergy

Dust mite information is crucial for people suffering from the following symptoms that can possibly point to a dus t mite allergy:

• People can experience respiratory problems as a result of dust mites in the home.
• Eczema is a classic symptom of a dust mite allergy that can suddenly surface if a person is sensitive to these mites.
• Watery eyes, or itchy eyes, especially in the morning after waking up is often a sign of a dust mite allergy.
• An itchy or runny nose after sleeping or at night is another clear symptom of a possible dust mite allergy.

If you suffer form any of these symptoms it might be useful to buy a dust mite test kit for your home to see if there are many mites around after which you can start considering trying to eliminate or at least lessen the problem.

Can Dust Mites Cause Asthma?

Dust mites can cause a dust mite allergy albeit indirectly. Young children's asthma is often the result of a dust mite allergy. Of course allergies and asthma always have to be diagnosed by a doctor. Try to find out if your asthma symptoms change in different surroundings (on a holiday or at work for instance.) Keep a diary of when you or your child experience allergy or asthma symptoms.

What do Dust Mites feed on?

Dust mites feed on things that are easily and readily available in anyone's house. Examples of the foods that they live on are:

• Human skin scales and flakes such as dandruff.
• Pollen that enters the home from outdoor areas or from indoor plants.
• Fungi that might live in hard to find places in the home.

Continue to: Steps to Follow for Ideal Dust Mite Control

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