Dust mites are something you certainly do not want living in your bed sheets, but if you suspect you have an infestation, you’ll want to do something about it as soon as possible
Dust mites might be making themselves at home in your bed sheets, and that’s the last thing you’d want. These tiny critters are invisible to the naked eye but can wreak havoc on your health.
The Mayo Clinic paints a not-so-pretty picture of these household pests. The website states: “Dust mites, close relatives of ticks and spiders, are too small to see without a microscope”.
Further elaborating on their website, they mention: “Dust mites eat skin cells shed by people, and they thrive in warm, humid environments. In most homes, such items as bedding, upholstered furniture and carpeting provide an ideal environment for dust mites.”
The repercussions of a dust mite infestation aren’t to be taken lightly – as symptoms include wheezing, coughing, breathlessness, a runny nose, itchy and watery eyes, or itchy skin. And you’ll likely want to banish them.
For those battling with dust mites or allergies caused by them, TikToker @allermi has some expert advice up her sleeve. She emphasised that dust mites have a particular fondness for “bedding, pillows, and mattresses”.
The pro-tip she offers is to invest in “allergy covers” which “zip around the mattress and pillow”, providing a barrier against the mites. These covers should stay put, while the rest of the bedding needs a weekly hot water wash to try and get the number of them down as much as possible.
And if you’re grappling with dust mites or related allergies, steer clear of down and feathers as @allermi warns: “down would harbour dust mites and […] make the allergy worse”. It’s essential to be proactive in keeping these unwelcome guests out of your bed to alleviate the symptoms and improve your overall health.
You should also steer clear of using humidifiers in the bedroom if pesky dust mites are giving you grief, as “humidifiers would raise the ambient humidity”. Consequently, this action could “raise the dust mite concentration” – however, air purifiers are a goer, as they’re “fine”, she insisted.
Mayo Clinic shares that “you can’t completely eliminate dust mites from your home”, but “you can significantly reduce their number” by following these nine steps…
- Use allergen-proof bed covers.
- Wash bedding weekly.
- Keep humidity low.
- Choose bedding wisely.
- Buy washable stuffed toys.
- Remove dust.
- Vacuum regularly.
- Cut clutter.
- Remove carpeting.
For those with a potential dust mite allergy, it’s wise to reach out to your GP for further guidance.
