Dust Mites

[Guest guest]

I found the following comments found at

http://www.acaai.org/public/advice/dust.htm<http://www.acaai.org/public/advice/d\

ust.htm> about dust mites quite interesting. What I didn't know is that Dust

mites I read are suppose to die when humidity falls below 40-50 per cent.

Carl, did you know that??

I'll have to reprint the article and distribute with my literature about

hypoallergenic bed sheets, pillow cases and pillows.

Gibala

=================================================

What are dust mites?

Tiny microscopic creatures called dust mites are an important cause of allergic

reactions to house dust. They belong to the family of eight-legged creatures

called arachnids. This family also includes spiders, chiggers and ticks. Dust

mites are hardy creatures that live well and multiply easily in warm, humid

places. They prefer temperatures at or above 70°F with a relative humidity of

75-80 percent and die when the humidity falls below 40-50 percent. They are

rarely found in dry climates.

As many as 10 percent of the general population and 90 percent of people with

allergic asthma are sensitive to dust mites. Recent studies in the United States

suggest that at least 45 percent of young people with asthma are allergic to

dust mites.

People who are allergic to dust mites react to proteins in the bodies and feces

of the mites. These fecal particles are found in the highest concentrations in

pillows, mattresses, carpeting, and upholstered furniture. They float into the

air when anyone vacuums, walks on a carpet or disturbs bedding, but settle out

of the air once the disturbance is over. Dust mite-allergic people who inhale

these particles frequently experience allergy symptoms. In fact, a dust mite

allergic patient who sleeps for 8 hours every night spends one third of his life

with his nose in direct contact with a pillow loaded with dust mite particles!

There may be many as 19,000 dust mites in one gram of dust, but usually between

100 to 500 mites live in each gram. (A gram is about the weight of a paper

clip.) Each mite produces about 10-20 waste particles per day and lives for 30

days. Egg-laying females can add 25-30 new mites to the population during their

lifetime.

Mites eat particles of skin and dander, so they thrive in places where there are

people. Dust mites don't bite, cannot spread diseases and usually do not live on

people. They are harmful only to people who become allergic to them. While usual

household insecticides have no effect on dust mites, there are ways to reduce

exposure to dust mites in the home.