Dust mites: Tiny, microscopic creatures that eat our dead skin cells and grab moisture from the air. Almost every home has them, and they’re the cause of most dust allergies. These little devils negatively affect indoor air quality in a variety of ways.
Your Dust Allergy May Not Actually Be From Dust
While some people are allergic to dust itself, most dust allergies are actually allergic reactions to proteins in dust mites’ dead bodies and feces. Unlike pollen or dander, mites aren’t usually in the air. Instead, they settle in dust and fabrics, so your upholstered furniture, bedding and clothes could all have dust mite nests.
Since they grab moisture from the air instead of drinking water, they thrive in high-humidity conditions. During dry periods with little humidity, they can’t survive. About 80% of all American homes have them, however, and most of the time, we encounter them when we sleep. Your bed, even if you replace your bedding every day, can have as many as 10 million mites on it.
Reactions to Dust Mites in the Air
As you can guess from dust mites’ numbers, we tend to breathe in a lot of them. This is a common cause of allergic reactions, such as sinus congestion and a runny nose, when we’re trying to sleep. Some people have worse reactions such as swelling of the face, trouble breathing or inflammation of the sinuses and nasal passages. Dust mites are also a common cause of asthma attacks, and this is particularly true for children.
Kicking Those Mites to the Curb
The first thing you should do is get your indoor humidity below levels that support mites. An indoor air purifier or a good HVAC system can help keep your home’s relative humidity below 50%. This way, there won’t be enough moisture for the mites to take. You should change your HVAC or purifier filter every month, too.
Damp mop all your floors once a week to keep dust down after you’ve vacuumed them. You should also vacuum your drapes and upholstered furniture. Since your bed is a popular nesting spot, be sure to clean all your used bedding once a week. If you have pets, keep them properly groomed, and if you entertain a lot of friends and relatives, have doormats ready before they come into your home.
Those pesky dust mites can make your day a sneezy one, but you can take plenty of steps to stop them in their tracks. You’ll breathe easier, and your home will have fewer unwanted guests. When you need indoor air quality services in Tennessee, contact Pioneer Heating, Cooling, Plumbing, & Electrical.