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Dust Mite Control

The dust mite, which lives in house dust, is a common allergen.  Its main food source is human skin scales.  Because of this, they are found in larger concentrations where there are more skin scales, such as mattresses, pillows, upholstered furniture, carpet, and clothing.

 

Dust mites thrive in rooms with high humidity, and are at their maximum growth rate in humidity greater than 60%.  The actual material that causes allergy symptoms is the dust mite fecal matter that can remain for months after the mite has died, especially in mattresses and upholstered furniture.  That is why allergies to dust mites are a year-round problem, and may last for a long time after all mites are gone.

 

DUST CONTROL MEASURES:

·        Vacuum carpets and upholstered furniture daily.  This will remove surface dust and fecal pellets.

·        Cover mattresses, box springs, and pillows with an airtight cover.

·        Use synthetic polyester pillows that can be washed monthly and replace them yearly. 

·        Do not use feather pillows, wool blankets, chenille spreads, or down comforters.

·        Wash all sheets, pillowcases, and blankets each week in hot water, at least 130 degrees F.

·        Keep all clothing in a closet or dresser with the doors and drawers shut.  Do not store toys, luggage, or out-of-season clothes in that same closet.

·        Reduce indoor humidity to less than 50%

 

REMEMBER

·        Avoid heavy curtains or fiber blinds, especially in the bedroom.  Instead, use window shades or curtains that you can wash each week.

·        Avoid upholstered furniture in the bedroom.  Instead, use plain wood or plastic chairs.

·        Avoid hanging wall pennants or having toys or books in the bedroom.  Instead, use pictures or posters that can be easily cleaned as decoration.

·        Avoid carpets, especially in the bedroom.  It is almost impossible to remove all mites from the carpet, even with repeated vacuuming.  If carpeting cannot be avoided, use lower nap commercial carpeting.

·        Avoid sleeping or lying on upholstered furniture.

·        Avoid letting children plays or rolls around on the carpet.

·        Avoid having a canopy over the bed.

·        Avoid sleeping on lower level of a bunk bed

 

Pediatric Allergy and Asthma Center.   University of Illinois at Chicago

Tel:  (312) 996-6714     Fax: (312)413-8694

 

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