People allergic to dust are familiar with sneezing, especially when waking up! Other unpleasant symptoms are added to the list ... This allergy is usually caused by insects invisible to the naked eye that develop in beds and upholstered furniture. These insects are multiple but there are some that are one of the most common allergens: mites! Here is how to get rid of these little animals quickly and easily!
Around the world, dust mites are responsible for around 45% of allergies. In Europe, for example, dust mite allergy is the number one respiratory allergy. They are not visible to the naked eye but are everywhere and in almost all houses, these small animals experience a proliferation peak between July and September, but the concentration of allergens comes two months later. It is therefore important to implement a strategy of struggle not to be overwhelmed by these embarrassing hosts.
Allergy to dust?
Mites are microscopic organisms that feed on house dust and moisture in the air. They are one of the most common indoor allergens and symptoms can be present all year round. In addition to allergic rhinitis, dust mite allergy can also trigger asthma and outbreaks of eczema. People allergic to dust mites most often suffer from allergies in the interiors, their symptoms often worsen during or immediately after sweeping, dusting or using the vacuum cleaner. The cleaning process can stir the dust particles, which facilitates their inhalation.
Allergy symptoms to dust?
- sneezing
- The runny or stuffy nose
- Red, irritated or watery eyes
- Wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and shortness of breath
- Itching.
- Mites are not the only ones that cause allergies, there are also cockroaches, mussels, pollen and hair.
The favorite places of mites
Mites thrive and spread in warm, welcoming nests. They are found everywhere humans live because they feed mainly on dead skin. Invisible colonies of millions of mites proliferate in carpets, mattresses and other upholstered furniture. They grow particularly well in humid environments (60 to 80%) and at a fairly high and stable temperature (26 to 32 ° C).
How to get rid of mites from your bed?
According to Dr. Stephen Pretlove of the Kingston University School of Architecture, making his bed just after waking allows the proliferation of mites, he suggests leaving the bed not made to expose the sheets to the air and light.
Scientists estimate that there could be up to 1.5 million mites living in the bed, which feed on skin debris, hair pieces, hair and nails that a person can lose. during sleep. When you sleep, you can sweat and clear up to a liter of sweat a night, which also creates a fertile breeding ground for mites.
Carolyn Forte, director of the cleaning lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, believes that leaving the bed unmade may not make much of a difference. But she says it would be wise to leave her bed unassembled for a while during the morning so that the sheets have time to dry. This will remove moisture from the sheets and mattress so that the mites become dehydrated and eventually die.
Other tips and advice to kill mites
- Regularly wash sheets and pillow cases at high temperature corresponding to 60 degrees every two weeks.
- Aspirate the bed and surfaces two to three times a week for an average of 30 minutes. This will eliminate 20% of mite allergens.
- Air the rooms daily, in winter as in summer about 30 to 60 minutes each day.
- In winter, the temperature of the rooms must be at 18 or 19 degrees maximum with a humidity of 50 to 60%.
- The stuffed animals should be wrapped in a plastic bag and put in the freezer overnight in order to kill the mites found there.
- Electric fan heaters should be removed because they only return mites to the air.
The presence of mites does not necessarily mean poor housekeeping, it is simply a few natural habits to adopt daily and others to avoid.
