DUST MITE ALLERGY
What is a dust mite?
- A small microscopic insect, not visible to the unaided eye
- It lives of off the flakes of skin that we shed
- Can be found in upholstered furniture, carpets, mattresses, pillows, stuffed animals
- Dust mites require a humid environment to survive
Dust Mite Allergen Avoidance
- Dust mite covers should be:
- It should be made from material with tight enough weave so that the dust mites cannot get in
- Non-quilted - dust mites will live in quilting
- Breathable comfortable covers sold at:
- Medical Arts Pharmacy 800 Princess St, telephone 613-549-3300
- Allergy Canada
- Cheaper plastic or vinyl covers also work, but are less comfortable to sleep on (can put washable/removable
mattress pad on top for added comfort)
- Heat kills dust mites: Wash bed linens once a week in hot water (55 degrees Celsius, but caution if you have children, as this is scalding) and in dryer with heat
- Cold kills dust mites: Can put stuffed animals or pillows in freezer (can also put in dryer instead - see above) but washing is best
- Dryness kills dust mites: Keep relative humidity less than 50% (use dehumidifier, air conditioning helps) - optimal is 40% (less than 35% is too dry
- NO carpets (even with vacuuming, carpets retain dust mites)
- Leather or wooden furniture are also best (dust mites cannot live in them)
- Vacuum cleaners: vacuuming may stir up the dust mites, a vacuum with a HEPA filter or Central Vacuum helps prevent this
- Other:
- Room air filter: not of benefit. The dust mite allergen is too heavy to be airborne and effectively filtered
*** Created by Dr. Ellie Tsai MD, FRCPC Kingston Allergy and Asthma 613-546-6673***