Dust Mites and skin rashes

These tiny animals are also a common cause of asthma and allergic symptoms worldwide. Some of the gut enzymes produced by the them persist in their fecal matter, and can be strongly allergenic. The European house variety (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus) and the American variety (Dermatophagoides farinae) are two different species, but are not necessarily confined to Europe or North America; a third species Euroglyphus maynei also occurs widely.

The body of a house dust mite is visible against a dark background in a normal light. They typically measure almost 0.5 millimeters. Both male and female adults are creamy white and have a globular shape. These tiny animals have eight legs and presumably can be transported airborne by minor air currents generated from normal household activities.

The average life cycle for a male house mite is 10 to 19 days. A mated female can live for 70 days, laying 60 to 100 eggs in the last 5 weeks of her life. In a 10 week life span, a house mite will produce approximately 2000 fecal particles and an even larger number of partially digested enzyme-infested dust particles.

To deal with the dust mites and skin rashes allergy, a simple washing will remove most of the waste matter. Both being exposed to temperatures of over 60 degrees Celsius (140F) for a period of one hour, freezing, or exposure to temperatures below 20°C, will typically eliminate them. Ten minutes in a household clothes dryer at lethal temperatures has been shown to be sufficient to rid all in bedding. They reproduce quickly enough that their effect on human health can be significant.

The house dust mite survives in all climates. If trying to control these, humidity should be kept low. They thrive in the indoor environment provided by homes specifically in bedrooms and kitchens and especially survive well in mattresses, carpets, furniture and bedding, with an estimate volume of around 188 animals/gram of dust. Even in dry climates, they survive and reproduce easily in bedding (especially in pillows) because of the humidity generated by the human body during several hours of breathing and perspiring.

House dust mites consume minute particles of organic matter. A person sheds about 1.5 grams of skin cells and flakes every day (approximately 0.3–0.45 kg per year), which is enough to feed a lot of them.

Dust mites and skin rashes and now respiratory problems. Allergens produced by house dust mites are among the most common triggers of asthma. Some main signs of these related allergies are itchiness, sneezing, inflamed or infected eczema, watering eyes, runny nose, hay fever, and clogging in the lungs.

It is commonly believed that the accumulated waste from these mites can add significantly to the weight of mattresses and pillows. While it is true that the fecal matter will increase over time, there is no scientific evidence for these claims.

Allergy and asthma sufferers are also often advised to avoid feather pillows due to the presumed increased presence of this particular allergen, however, the reverse, is true. A 1996 study from the British Medical Journal has shown that polyester fiber pillows contained more than 8 times the total weight of fine dust than feather pillows.

Other options in dealing with dust mites and skin rashes and other symptoms would include:

removing carpets and area rugs, replacing with small washable mats

replacing your mattress with an air mattress, or

getting an hypoallergenic mattress and pillow covers to prevent the escape of allergens

alternating between two pillows, with one in the freezer

replacing upholstered furniture with plastic, wood or styrofoam filled bean bags furniture.

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