If you have a Dust Mite Allergy then you suffer from Allergies Type 1, also called Contact Allergies. Proteins found in the waste dropping cause allergic reactions. Each dust mite can create up to 20 dropping each day. Dust mites are not parasites they are microscope bugs that live of dead skin cells shed from humans and pets. Dust mites prefer warm, moist areas such as a mattress, pillow, and chairs to live in. In other words just about anyplace you like to spend time. Do you spend up to one third of your life in a bed? That is called New York City to a dust mite. Do you sit in a favorite chair when you watch T.V? That is Las Vegas. Do you use the same pillow night after night? Welcome to Miami.
The typical human body will shed about 1/5 of an ounce of dead skin each week. Have you ever looked at a beam of light coming into the room and saw dust flakes floating in the light? About 80 percent of the material you see is actually dead skin fakes. That is manta from heaven for dust mites.
Depending on the environment nearly 100,000 dust mites can live in one square yard of carpet. Up to 500,000 can live in your pillow and up to 10 million can live in mattress. The life cycle of the dust mite is from one to four months. The adult females can lay up to 80 eggs in this time period and it takes about one month from the egg hatching for the dust mite to reach adulthood.
For most people dust mites are not harmful but if you are allergic to dust mites then symptoms like itchy watery eyes, hive, shortness of breath, bronchial spasms and other symptoms. There is no cure for dust mite allergy, only prevention.
There are several ways to control the dust mite population. Using chemicals to control the dust mite population is not recommended. The humidity of the environment plays a major role in keeping the dust mite population under control. The higher the humidity the higher the population, the lower the humidity, less than 50 percent, the lower the population. In vesting in a good quality dehumidifier will be your first line of defense.
Air cleaners can make a really big difference in the severity and frequency of allergy attacks. The central heating system should have an electrostatic air filter to distribute clean air through out the house. These electrostatic air filters trap microscopic allergens. Consider investing in a HEPA room air cleaner for all bedrooms and in the family room.
After you have vacuumed your carpets get down on your hands and knees, in a well-lit room and slap the carpet with your hand. If you see dust rising into the air then you need a better vacuum cleaner. Most vacuums will blow the smaller particles of dust back into the air through the exhaust. You will need to get a vacuum that has some type of HEPA filter that traps microscopic particles of dust from being blown back into the air.
Cover the mattress and pillows with a plastic or other dust mite impervious cover. Many synthetic products are available to help control dust mite are available on the internet.
Wash the sheets and blankets every two week in very hot water, at least 130 degrees F. If the fabrics cannot be washed in how water then put them into the freezer for one to two days to kill the dust mites.
Common Vitamins and over the counter products can help with Allergies such as Vitamin A, Vitamin B, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Pantothenic Acid, Glucosamine, Antioxidants, Allergy Aid, and Quercitin.
Vitamin A is a known antioxidant and can assist the human body in the healing process. Vitamin A is stored in the liver and fat cells of the human body and can reach toxic levels. DO NOT take more than the recommended dosage of Vitamin A.
Up to one-third of older people can no longer absorb Vitamin B from their food. Vitamin B is needed to form red blood cells and keep nerves healthy.
Vitamin C is nature's protective nutrient, essential for defending the body against pollution and infection and enhances the bodies immune system.
Beta Carotene protects the mucus membranes of the mouth, nose, throat and lungs. It also helps protect Vitamin C from oxidation, which enables it to perform at optimum efficiency.
Vitamin E protects the lung tissue from inhaled pollutants and aids in the functioning of the immune system.
Many find Pantothenic Acid to be very helpful against allergy symptoms. It is another form of nontoxic B vitamins. Pantothenic Acid is critical in the metabolism and synthesis of carbohydrates, proteins and fats.
Glucosamine is an anti-inflammatory and may give some relief from allergy symptoms.
Substances called antioxidants can neutralize free radical by pairing up or binding with the free radical elections thus inhibiting them from damaging cells in the human body.
Allergy Aid supplies 9 beneficial Herb's to help provide temporary relief of respiratory allergies. The natural action of these specific Herb's help to open bronchial tubes and ease breathing.
Quercitin is a well known flavonoid. Flavonoids are powerful antioxidants and can reduce inflammation boost the immune system and strengthen blood vessels and improve circulation. Quercitin is also known for its ability to block the release of histamines, thus reducing or preventing Dust Mite Allergy symptoms.
Always consult your doctor before using this information.
This Article is nutritional in nature and is not to be construed as medical advice.
David Cowley has created numerous articles on allergies. He has also created a Web Site dedicated to allergies and how to treat them. Visit Allergy Treatment
