What are dust mites?
Dust mites are microscopic organisms. These are tiny bug-like pests that commonly habitat in the house dust. These dust mites are very small, they cannot be seen through the naked eye. Only with the help of a microscope, we could be able to see them. These can be found in household items like furniture, carpets, and bedding.
The dust mites are microscopic creatures that are 1/4 millimeters long. They resemble the insect spider.
Dust mites are organisms that are not restricted to one region of the world. They are found globally. These creatures are fond of slightly hot climates. They have the ability to dig themselves deeper into the surfaces of the fabrics.
What are dust mite bites?
Dust mites can trigger allergies. Dust mites do not actually bite like other bugs. They cause an allergic reaction to the skin. They cause rashes that look red in color. The rash would be itchy.
These allergies are caused when a person inhales these mites. These mites might dig into the skin.
What are the symptoms of dust mite bite?
If a person has dust might allergy, they may exhibit the following symptoms;
- Constant sneezing
- Cough
- Running nose
- Watery eyes
- Itchy skin which is often red in color
- Sometimes the throat gets affected and feels itchy.
If the condition or the allergy is severe then there are chances of triggering asthma.
Wheezing, coughing, sneezing may be higher than usual.
Usually, a person is advised to stay indoors if they are prone to infection. A contrastive way is followed for dust-mite allergies. If a person stays indoors the symptoms may even become worse.
By doing a skin test we get to know the nature of the allergy. We can identify whether the allergy is caused by dust mites or caused by other agents.
Now there is something we need to understand. There is a difference between a bed bug and a dust mite.
The bed bugs are larger in size than the dust mites. Bed bugs can be seen with the naked eye. A bed bug can bite a human and suck blood. A dust mite doesn't actually bite. It will just irritate the skin.
How do we treat a dust mite bite allergy?
Treatment is done based on the severity of the symptoms the patient exhibits.
A medical professional may suggest a few treatments like
- OTC antihistamines, which block the histamine and are released into the bloodstream when the patient encounters allergies.
- Oral medications
- Injecting allergen into the body so that the body adapts and builds immunity.
How do we get rid of the mites?
Completely eradicating dust mites are near to impossible. We can try and remove as many as possible. By doing so we can prevent any allergic triggers caused by these dust mites.
Frequent mopping, dusting, and washing would eliminate dust mites. There is no need for any fancy products to eliminate the mites from our home. Using proper serialization can help in reducing the dust mite count. It is found that most of the dust mite population is present in the bedroom. So, cleaning the bedroom must be prioritized. Washing the bedding with hot water would be of great help.
After cleaning we need to remember that prevention of dust mites is mandatory to stop allergies.
There are a few steps to follow which would prevent the increasing dust mite count of the home.
- Reducing carpentry work at home is advisable
- Deep cleaning the carpets should be done more often
- Regular dusting of fabrics in the household which include curtains and bedding.
- Air conditioning the house with specific allergen-free air purifiers.
- Changing or washing pillow covers often should be prioritized.
Conclusion
The presence of dust mites in the household may cause uncomfortable allergic symptoms. The rashes caused by the dust mites might be slight, moderate, or severe.
So, there is a need for regular cleaning and various preventive measures to ensure that the number of dust mites in the house is as low as possible. It is not possible to completely eradicate them.
Regular cleaning of the home can help us to alleviate the symptoms of allergies.
If the allergies are worsening it is better to consult a medical professional and seek help.
