Are you suffering from wheezing, sneezing, watery eyes and runny nose? You might be suffering from allergy. Dust Mites are common cause of this. These are a kind of microscopic organisms, which are related to spiders, live in many homes. Too small to see with the naked eye, dust mites thrive in warm, humid environments — eating dead skin cells and nesting in dust-collecting bedding, fabric, carpet and furnishings.
Dust mite allergy symptoms may include but not limited to:
- Sneezing
- Runny nose
- Itchy, watery eyes
- Nasal congestion
- Itchy nose, roof of mouth or throat
- Swollen, blue-colored skin under your eyes
- Postnasal drip
- Cough
- Irritability
- Facial pressure and pain
Treatment
The most effective treatment for avoiding an allergic reaction to dust mites is avoidance. When you minimize your exposure to dust mites, you’ll also minimize the signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction — such as watery eyes, runny nose and sneezing. Adopting rigorous cleaning practices, especially in your bedroom, can help reduce dust mite residue to a level where it no longer causes bothersome problems.
Prevention
While you can’t completely eliminate dust mites from your home, you can significantly reduce their number. Use these suggestions:
- Build a barrier. Cover your mattress and pillows in dust-proof or allergen-impermeable covers.
- Maintain low humidity in your home. Aim for 30 percent to 50 percent relative humidity. A dehumidifier or air conditioner can help keep humidity low, while a hygrometer (available at hardware stores) can measure humidity levels.
- Choose bedding wisely. Use synthetic materials as opposed to wool or down bedcovers.
- Buy washable stuffed toys. Wash them often in hot water and dry thoroughly. Also keep stuffed toys off beds.
- Wash bedding weekly. Kill dust mites by washing all sheets, blankets, pillowcases and bedcovers in hot water (130 to 140 F). Freeze nonwashable bedding overnight in a chest freezer.
- Remove dust. Use a damp mop or rag instead of a dry cloth.
- Vacuum regularly. Use a vacuum cleaner with a double-layered microfilter bag or a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. Vacuum both carpet and fabric-covered furniture. If your allergies are severe, leave the area being vacuumed while someone else does the dirty work. Stay out of the vacuumed room for 20 minutes after vacuuming.
- Cut clutter. If it collects dust, it also collects dust mites. So remove knickknacks, tabletop ornaments, books, magazines and newspapers from your bedroom.
- Rethink flooring. If your dust mite allergy is severe, replace your wall-to-wall bedroom carpet with tile, wood or linoleum flooring. Also consider replacing upholstered furniture and removing fabric curtains.
If you are allergic consider using advanced Robotic vacuum cleaners.