Coping With Dust Mite Allergy

Out comes the sun and we want to fling open the windows, having been cooped up at home for so many months.

For those, who suffer with hay fever, that is not possible because with the pollen and rape seed the sneezing begins so they keep their windows shut.

However, for others being indoors any time of the year they suffer with itchy eyes, sneezing, runny or stuffy nose – this could be because of dust mite allergy.

Dust mites are microscopic organisms that feed on house dust and moisture in the air. They are one of the most common indoor allergens and can make life at home a misery. Here are some tips to help cope.

• Clean your home at least once a week, the more the better.
• Use a damp duster. A dry duster just moves the dust around, a damp cloth, particularly an E-cloth will help to catch the dust and the mites. Sprinkle with water would be sufficient. Be careful with sprays, the chemicals can often be an irritant to people with allergies.
• A vacuum with a HEPA filter is ideal and make sure you change the filters regularly.
• If you suffer while cleaning, wearing a mask or gloves can help or, ideally, get someone else to do the cleaning for you.
• Wash your bedding every week. Dust mites can live and die in your bedding, this can aggravate your allergies. Wash bedding in hot water and the heat of tumble drying also helps in killing the mites.
• Allergy proof covers for bedding, preferably zippable, helps keep dust mites off your bed.

Our clinics treat dust mites and other inhalant allergies with desensitisation.