Dust Mites

Damaging Effects of Dust Mites

Operating in 91 Countries  |  Over 20 Years of Experience  |  Three-Year Warranty on Cleaning Systems

Operating in 91 Countries
Over 20 Years of Experience Three-Year Warranty on Cleaning Systems

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What Are Dust Mites?

Dust mites are microscopic, and their droppings are some of the most common indoor allergens that can trigger allergic reactions and asthma in many people. Millions of dust mites can live in the bedding, mattresses, upholstered furniture, carpets or curtains in homes, hotels and all types of multi-bed facilities. They feed on the dead human skin cells found in dust.  

Dust mites are not parasites. They don't bite, sting or burrow into our bodies. The harmful allergens they create come from their fecal pellets and body fragments. Dust mites are nearly everywhere. Roughly, four out of five homes in the United States have detectable levels of dust mite allergens in at least one bed.

How Do Dust Mite Allergens Affect Health?

Dust Mite droppings (fecal matter) are one of the major indoor triggers for people with allergies and asthma. 

Chronic, ongoing exposure to dust mite droppings at home can dramatically impact the health of people with asthma and those who are allergic or particularly sensitive to dust mite droppings. These allergens cause an immune system response, known as allergic rhinitis. An allergic reaction to dust mite droppings can range from mild to severe. A mild case may cause an occasional runny nose, watery eyes and sneezing. In severe cases, the condition is ongoing, or chronic, resulting in persistent sneezing, cough, congestion, facial pressure or a severe asthma attack. People with asthma who are sensitive to dust mite droppings face an increased risk of flare-ups.

Where Do Dust Mites Come From?

Dust mites occur naturally and can appear in nearly all homes and multi-bed facilities. Humidity is a factor in determining whether the local environment has a low or high concentration of dust mites. Dust mites do not drink water like we do. They absorb moisture from the air and from a warm body.  

Who Should Be Concerned About Dust Mites?

Everyone, especially people with allergies to dust mite droppings. 

 Most exposure to dust mite droppings occurs while sleeping and when dust is disturbed during bed-making or any other movement.

It is an established fact that dust mites can be found all over the world. There are two common dust mites: the American house dust mite also called Dermatophagoides Farinae and the European house dust mite also called D. Pteronyssinus. Due to their small size, these dust mites are not visible to the naked eye.

They pass through six developmental stages, and the adult form may also molt once. Adult female mites lay cream-colored elliptical eggs coated with a sticky fluid that helps them adhere to the substrate. Under optimal conditions, the cycle from egg to adult mite takes about one month.

Both species of house dust mites feed on human skin scales, pollen, fungi, bacteria, lepidopteran - moth and butterfly -scales, animal dander, and skin scales of birds. Human, cat, dog, and horse dander have been used to raise these species in a laboratory. The food consumption of these mites and development increases with higher relative humidity. Mites survive best at relative humidities of 40-50% and temperatures of 55-85 degrees F.

They live in bedding, couches, carpet, stuffed toys and old clothing. Dust mites droppings are second only to pollen in causing allergic reactions. When dust mites grow, they shed their skin. The shed skin and their feces are what cause allergic reactions in people. Allergic reactions range from itchy noses, sinus irritation, dry, irritated and scratchy eyes to throat problems and many other symptoms, including severe asthma attacks.
Dust mites are an invisible enemy that are living in your mattress and upholstered items.  A typical mattress can be home to anywhere from 2 million to 10 million dust mites. Allergy doctors everywhere agree that dust mite allergies are often ignored. The Hygienitech process will get rid of dust mite droppings and other harmful contaminants that exist everywhere, even in the cleanest home or multi bed facility.  

Just thinking of these dust mites living in your mattress and pillow by the millions, eating your dead skin and hair is enough to make you sick (literally and figuratively).  They are a major cause of asthma and allergies; especially in vulnerable individuals, such as children and the elderly.

According to the American College of Asthma, Allergy & Immunology, approximately 30 percent of the world’s population exhibit allergic sensitivity to dust mite droppings. The American Lung Associations tells us "Dust mites are not parasites; they don't bite, sting or burrow into our bodies. The harmful allergen they create comes from their fecal pellets and body fragments.

Dust mites are nearly everywhere. Roughly four out of five homes have detectable levels of dust mite allergens in at least one bed. Don't you feel better now, knowing they don't bite or sting; and your allergic reaction is only due to burying your face in a pillow full of their feces?  And you may feel better knowing, according to WebMD, that "Dust mites like to eat dead skin from pets and humans. You probably shed enough skin a day to feed a million dust mites."
In the spring, pollen aggravates allergies, and dust mite infestations make it worse. The Fall and Winter months are a particular problem, as we close up our houses and the concentrations of dust mites and their feces increases inside.

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