Asthma & Allergies
As most asthma or allergy suffers will know, the common house dust mite can play a major part in aggravating their symptoms. Dust mites have 8 legs and are related to the spider. You are probably sharing your bed with thousands of them! Their main breeding ground is in bedding and carpets. They feed on microscopic scales of skin, which we all shed. Their only source of water is from the air, so they prefer to live in areas where relative humidity is high. The higher the humidity, the quicker they are able to breed. The dust mite has been attributed with the increase in asthma (now affecting 5.2 million people in the UK, equivalent to a staggering 1 in 5 households) plus other bronchial and skin problems.
No matter how clean our home is, dust mites cannot be totally eliminated. However, to live and breed, dust mites require the following:
- Microscopic scales of skin shed by humans and pets
- A continuous supply of humid air
If there are high levels of relative humidity in an occupied dwelling then you will find a breeding ground for dust mites. The quickest and most effective way in reducing the population of dust mites in a home is by reducing relative humidity by providing adequate ventilation.
Dust mites and their droppings are known allergens. When their rotting carcasses and droppings come into contact with our skin or are inhaled they may cause an allergic reaction. Researchers estimate that these particles may be a trigger for up to 80% of asthma attacks and responsible for countless causes of eczema.
