Do dust mite allergies go away


Dust mite allergies: Overview - InformedHealth.org

Last Update: April 23, 2020; Next update: 2023.

Introduction

In dust mite allergies, it isn’t the dust that causes the symptoms. Instead, the allergy is triggered by substances that are mainly found in the dust mites’ feces (“poop”). The tiny particles of feces are attached to the dust and spread in that way.

No home is completely free of dust mites. They are found in beds, carpets, rugs, upholstered furniture and curtains. Because of this, people who have a dust mite allergy have allergy symptoms such as sneezing and a runny nose all year round. If someone has an allergic reaction that affects their upper airways (nose, sinuses and throat), it is called “allergic rhinitis."

Symptoms

People who have a dust mite allergy sneeze a lot, and have a runny or stuffy nose. If their symptoms are more severe, they might also feel weak and tired. Their eyes might water and itch, and they might have swollen eyelids. Asthma-like symptoms such as coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath may occur too.

Dust mite allergies usually cause milder symptoms than hay fever (a pollen allergy) does. But they occur all year round, whereas hay fever is seasonal. The symptoms are typically worse at night and in the morning because dust mites tend to live in mattresses, pillows and bedding.

Causes and risk factors

Allergy symptoms arise when your body overreacts to particular substances that are usually harmless. These substances (allergens) trigger a chain reaction in the immune system. First, the body makes antibodies to fight the allergen, and the antibodies bind to specific cells. If these cells come into contact with the allergen again, they are then able to “respond” by releasing chemical substances such as histamine. These substances then set off an allergic reaction, causing symptoms such as sneezing or itchy eyes.

It’s almost impossible to avoid contact with dust. If dust is stirred up – for instance, by a draft of wind or when shaking up bedding – it floats through the air and is breathed in, together with the allergens on it.

Sometimes a higher risk of allergies runs in families. Environmental factors such as air pollution and cigarette smoke can make them more likely too.

Prevalence and outlook

Allergic rhinitis affects about 1 out of 4 people in industrialized countries like Germany. Most people develop the symptoms before the age of 20.

Dust mite allergies typically first develop in childhood or puberty, and never go away again. If people have allergic rhinitis for many years, the allergy might “move down” into the lower airways (lungs) too, causing asthma.

Sometimes people become allergic to certain foods too after a while (a phenomenon known as cross-reactivity). This is less likely to happen with dust mite allergies than it is with other allergies, like hay fever. But people who have dust mite allergies may become allergic to foods like shellfish and mollusks such as mussels, crabs, lobsters, shrimps or snails.

Severe symptoms may increase the likelihood of developing other medical conditions such as sinusitis (inflammation of the sinuses). Allergic rhinitis often makes the mucous membranes that line the airways overly sensitive in general too. As a result, their nose may react more strongly to irritants like dry air in heated rooms and cigarette smoke.

Diagnosis

If you see a doctor, he or she will first ask you about your symptoms, circumstances in life, and medical history. The doctor can then do an allergy test (a skin prick test) to find out whether you are allergic to particular substances. This involves placing small drops of various allergens on the skin of your forearm, leaving enough space between them, and then gently pricking the surface of your skin where the allergens are, so the substances go into the skin. If the skin becomes red and swollen (like a big mosquito bite) where it was pricked, it’s a sign that you’re allergic to that substance.

You might also need a blood test or something known as a provocation test. This is where the membranes lining the nose are exposed to extracts of the potential allergen using a nasal spray or drops. If the lining of your nose becomes swollen, you sneeze and your nose starts running, you are likely to be allergic to that substance.

Prevention

The most effective way to prevent allergy symptoms is to avoid the substances that trigger the allergy. Although dust mites can’t be completely avoided, contact with them can be reduced. Particularly in the bedroom, it may be helpful to combine a number of different approaches: wiping the bedroom floor with a damp cloth, using mite-proof mattress covers, removing “dust traps” such as upholstered furniture and curtains, and regularly washing your bedding at temperatures above 60°C (140°F).

Dust mites survive longer in warm and humid conditions. So it can be a good idea to keep the bedroom temperature constant between about 18 and 20°C (about 64 to 68°F), and regularly open the windows to let fresh air in. Air humidifiers and plants can make it easier for dust mites to thrive, so it’s best to keep them out of bedrooms.

Dust mite sprays containing acaricides (pesticides against mites and ticks) could also help reduce the symptoms. They can be sprayed onto mattress covers, for instance. Special dust mite air filters are available too, but it isn’t clear how effective they are.

Treatment

Various medications are available for the treatment of allergy symptoms:

  • Antihistamines

  • Steroids (corticosteroids)

  • Chromones (mast cell stabilizers)

  • Leukotriene receptor antagonists

  • Decongestant nasal drops and sprays

There are also non-drug alternatives such as saline (salt water) nasal sprays and nasal washes (nasal irrigation).

Allergen-specific immunotherapy (also known as desensitization) can reduce your sensitivity to allergens over the long term. A bit like with vaccines, this treatment approach involves exposing people to small amounts of the allergen. Here it is done at regular intervals by either injecting the allergen under your skin or placing it under your tongue. Allergen-specific immunotherapy takes about three years to complete.

Sources

  • Biedermann T, Heppt W, Renz H, Röcken M (Ed). Allergologie. Berlin: Springer; 2016.

  • Brozek JL, Bousquet J, Agache I, Agarwal A, Bachert C, Bosnic-Anticevich S et al. Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) guidelines - 2016 revision. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2017; 140(4): 950-958. [PubMed: 28602936]

  • Greiner AN, Hellings PW, Rotiroti G, Scadding GK. Allergic rhinitis. Lancet 2011; 378(9809): 2112-2122. [PubMed: 21783242]

  • Head K, Snidvongs K, Glew S, Scadding G, Schilder AG, Philpott C et al. Saline irrigation for allergic rhinitis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2018; (6): CD012597. [PMC free article: PMC6513421] [PubMed: 29932206]

  • Li CL, Lin HC, Lin CY, Hsu TF. Effectiveness of Hypertonic Saline Nasal Irrigation for Alleviating Allergic Rhinitis in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Clin Med 2019; 8(1): pii: E64. [PMC free article: PMC6352276] [PubMed: 30634447]

  • Sheikh A, Hurwitz B, Nurmatov U, van Schayck CP. House dust mite avoidance measures for perennial allergic rhinitis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2010; (7): CD001563. [PMC free article: PMC7061254] [PubMed: 20614426]

  • IQWiG health information is written with the aim of helping people understand the advantages and disadvantages of the main treatment options and health care services.

    Because IQWiG is a German institute, some of the information provided here is specific to the German health care system. The suitability of any of the described options in an individual case can be determined by talking to a doctor. We do not offer individual consultations.

    Our information is based on the results of good-quality studies. It is written by a team of health care professionals, scientists and editors, and reviewed by external experts. You can find a detailed description of how our health information is produced and updated in our methods.

Dust mite allergy - Diagnosis and treatment

Diagnosis

Your doctor may suspect dust mite allergy based on symptoms and your answers to questions about your home.

To confirm that you're allergic to some airborne substance, your doctor may use a lighted instrument to look at the condition of the lining of your nose. If you have an allergy to something airborne, the lining of the nasal passage will be swollen and may appear pale or bluish.

Your doctor may suspect a dust mite allergy if your symptoms are worse when you go to bed or while cleaning — when dust mite allergens would be temporarily airborne. If you have a pet, it may be more difficult to determine the cause of the allergy, particularly if your pet sleeps in your bedroom.

  • Allergy skin test. Your doctor may suggest an allergy skin test to determine what you're allergic to. You may be referred to an allergy specialist (allergist) for this test.

    In this test, tiny amounts of purified allergen extracts — including an extract for dust mites — are pricked onto your skin's surface. This is usually carried out on the forearm, but it may be done on the upper back.

    Your doctor or nurse observes your skin for signs of allergic reactions after 15 minutes. If you're allergic to dust mites, you'll develop a red, itchy bump where the dust mite extract was pricked onto your skin. The most common side effects of these skin tests are itching and redness. These side effects usually go away within 30 minutes.

  • Allergy blood test. Some people can't undergo a skin test because they have a skin condition or they take a medication that can affect the results. As an alternative, your doctor may order a blood test that screens for specific allergy-causing antibodies to various common allergens, including dust mites. This test may also indicate how sensitive you are to an allergen.

More Information

  • Allergy skin tests

Treatment

The first treatment for controlling dust mite allergy is avoiding dust mites as much as possible. When you minimize your exposure to dust mites, you can expect fewer or less severe allergic reactions. However, it's impossible to completely eliminate dust mites from your environment. You may also need medications to control symptoms.

Allergy medications

Your doctor may direct you to take one of the following medications to improve nasal allergy symptoms:

  • Antihistamines reduce the production of an immune system chemical that is active in an allergic reaction. These drugs relieve itching, sneezing and runny nose. Over-the-counter antihistamine tablets, such as fexofenadine (Allegra Allergy), loratadine (Alavert, Claritin,), cetirizine (Zyrtec) and others, as well as antihistamine syrups for children, are available. Prescription antihistamines taken as a nasal spray include azelastine (Astelin, Astepro) and olopatadine (Patanase).
  • Corticosteroids delivered as a nasal spray can reduce inflammation and control symptoms of hay fever. These drugs include fluticasone propionate (Flonase Allergy Relief), mometasone furoate (Nasonex), triamcinolone (Nasacort Allergy 24HR), ciclesonide (Omnaris) and others. Nasal corticosteroids provide a low dose of the drug and have a much lower risk of side effects compared with oral corticosteroids.
  • Decongestants can help shrink swollen tissues in your nasal passages and make it easier to breathe through your nose. Some over-the-counter allergy tablets combine an antihistamine with a decongestant. Oral decongestants can increase blood pressure and shouldn't be taken if you have severe high blood pressure, glaucoma or cardiovascular disease. In men with an enlarged prostate, the drug can worsen the condition. Talk to your doctor about whether you can safely take a decongestant.

    Over-the-counter decongestants taken as a nasal spray may briefly reduce allergy symptoms. If you use a decongestant spray for more than three days in a row, however, it can actually make nasal congestion worse.

  • Leukotriene modifiers block the action of certain immune system chemicals. Your doctor may prescribe the leukotriene modifier montelukast (Singulair), which comes in tablet form. Possible side effects of montelukast include upper respiratory infection, headache and fever. Less common side effects include behavior or mood changes, such as anxiousness or depression.

Other therapies

  • Immunotherapy. You can "train" your immune system not to be sensitive to an allergen. Immunotherapy is delivered either through a series of allergy shots or tablets taken under the tongue (sublingually). One to two weekly shots or tablets expose you to very small doses of the allergen ― in this case, the dust mite proteins that cause the allergic reaction. The dose is gradually increased, usually during a three- to six-month period. Maintenance shots or tablets are needed every four weeks for three to five years. Immunotherapy is usually used when other simple treatments are not satisfactory.
  • Nasal irrigation. You can use a neti pot or a specially designed squeeze bottle to flush thickened mucus and irritants from your sinuses with a prepared saltwater (saline) rinse. If you're preparing the saline solution yourself, use water that's contaminant-free ― distilled, sterile, previously boiled and cooled, or filtered with a filter that has an absolute pore size of 1 micron or smaller. Be sure to rinse the irrigation device after each use with contaminant-free water, and leave open to air-dry.

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Lifestyle and home remedies

Avoiding exposure to dust mites is the best strategy for controlling dust mite allergy. While you can't completely eliminate dust mites from your home, you can significantly reduce their number. Here's how:

  • Use allergen-proof bed covers. Keep your mattress and pillows in dustproof or allergen-blocking covers. These covers, made of tightly woven fabric, prevent dust mites from colonizing or escaping from the mattress or pillows. Encase box springs in allergen-proof covers.
  • Wash bedding weekly. Wash all sheets, blankets, pillowcases and bedcovers in hot water that is at least 130 F (54. 4 C) to kill dust mites and remove allergens. If bedding can't be washed hot, put the items in the dryer for at least 15 minutes at a temperature above 130 F (54.4 C) to kill the mites. Then wash and dry the bedding to remove allergens. Freezing nonwashable items for 24 hours also can kill dust mites, but this won't remove the allergens.
  • Keep humidity low. Maintain a relative humidity below 50% in your home. A dehumidifier or air conditioner can help keep humidity low, and a hygrometer (available at hardware stores) can measure humidity levels.
  • Choose bedding wisely. Avoid bedcovers that trap dust easily and are difficult to clean frequently.
  • Buy washable stuffed toys. Wash them often in hot water and dry thoroughly. Also, keep stuffed toys off beds.
  • Remove dust. Use a damp or oiled mop or rag rather than dry materials to clean up dust. This prevents dust from becoming airborne and resettling.
  • Vacuum regularly. Vacuuming carpeting and upholstered furniture removes surface dust — but vacuuming isn't effective at removing most dust mites and dust mite allergens. Use a vacuum cleaner with a double-layered microfilter bag or a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter to help decrease house-dust emissions from the cleaner. If your allergies are severe, stay out of the area being vacuumed while someone else does the work. Wait about two hours before going back in the vacuumed room.
  • Cut clutter. If it collects dust, it also collects dust mites. Remove knickknacks, tabletop ornaments, books, magazines and newspapers from your bedroom.
  • Remove carpeting and other dust mite habitats. Carpeting provides a comfortable habitat for dust mites. This is especially true if carpeting is over concrete, which holds moisture easily and provides a humid environment for mites. If possible, replace wall-to-wall bedroom carpeting with tile, wood, linoleum or vinyl flooring. Consider replacing other dust-collecting furnishings in bedrooms, such as upholstered furniture, nonwashable curtains and horizontal blinds.
  • Install a high-efficiency media filter in your furnace and air conditioning unit. Look for a filter with a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) of 11 or 12 and leave the fan on to create a whole house air filter. Be sure to change the filter every three months.

Preparing for your appointment

If you have what seems like a constant runny nose, sneezing, wheezing, shortness of breath or other symptoms that may be related to an allergy, you'll probably start by seeing your family doctor or general practitioner. Because appointments can be brief and there's often a lot of ground to cover, it's a good idea to prepare before you go.

What you can do

  • Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to allergy-like symptoms.
  • Write down your family's history of allergy and asthma, including specific types of allergies if you know them.
  • Make a list of all the medications, vitamins or supplements you're taking.
  • Ask if you should stop taking any medications that would affect the results of an allergy skin test. Antihistamines, for example, could suppress your allergy symptoms.

Preparing a list of questions will help you make the most of your time together. For symptoms that may be related to dust mite allergy, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:

  • What is the most likely cause of my signs and symptoms?
  • Are there any other possible causes?
  • Will I need any allergy tests?
  • Should I see an allergy specialist?
  • What is the best treatment?
  • I have other health conditions. How can I best manage these conditions together?
  • Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing for me?
  • What changes can I make at home to reduce my exposure to dust mites?
  • Of the changes you've described, which are the most likely to help?
  • If the first round of drug treatments and environmental changes we've discussed don't help, what will we try next?
  • Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take home? What websites do you recommend?

In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over any points you want to spend more time on. Your doctor may ask:

  • When did you first begin experiencing symptoms?
  • Do these symptoms bother you throughout the year?
  • Are symptoms worse at certain times of day?
  • Are the symptoms worse in the bedroom or other rooms of the house?
  • Do you have indoor pets, and do they go in the bedrooms?
  • What kind of self-care techniques have you used, and have they helped?
  • What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
  • Is there dampness or water damage in the home or workplace?
  • Do you have an air conditioner in the home?
  • Do you have asthma?

The impact of a pollen allergy may be noticeable because the allergy is seasonal. For example, you may have more difficulty managing your asthma for a short time during the summer. Dust mite allergy, on the other hand, is due to something to which you're constantly exposed to some degree. Therefore, you may not recognize it as a factor complicating your asthma when, in fact, it may be a primary cause.

What you can do in the meantime

If you suspect that you may have dust mite allergy, take steps to reduce house dust, particularly in your bedroom. Keep your bedroom clean, remove dust-collecting clutter and wash bedding in hot water that is at least 130 F (54.4 C).

By Mayo Clinic Staff

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Dust, dust mites and their allergens. Prevention and protection / Sudo Null IT News

Dust and dust mites in it are almost everywhere and always. It is possible to destroy them only in the conditions of "clean rooms" in the production of semiconductors. We have to put up with this, and live assuming that all we can do is reduce their number. It is believed that if the concentration of mites is < 100 pieces per gram of dust, the majority does not develop an allergy. After I had to sneeze for a couple of minutes without stopping, I accumulated enough anger to consider what the dust in the apartment is and what and who lives in this dust. And now it’s time to introduce “our little friends” to the readers of Habr. In the note, discussions about some features of the biology of the ubiquitous domestic parasite and methods of its control. What you can safely give to your wife to read under the cut,% username%!



The article does not correspond to the topic of habr and The article has more advertising than good

It is precisely such formulations that are the absolutely predominant reason for the minuses of my articles. I think this one will be no exception. So - I will justify myself in advance for the frequent mentions of my own articles. I can’t do anything about the fact that what I write about self-quoting is not ashamed, and most importantly, it’s more useful for an interested reader than quoting Russian Wikipedia (regarding chemistry, by the way, stupid). A la guerre comme à la guerre, friends.

Why is house dust harmful? If you ask such a question to the first person you meet on the street, you will most likely hear that dust leads to allergies / runny nose, or dust is an ideal breeding ground for viruses and bacteria. If someone asked me such a question, I would answer " dust is the decay products of radon and dust mites ". I will definitely write about radon dust in the channel (as part of the continuation of the "Young Radiophobe Circle" series). And let's talk about ticks now, "sneezing again" (

is sinful, there is no strength for exceptional dust control, and as you know, “you can’t do it - go teach”

).

So, our little ubiquitous neighbors in houses and apartments with a suitable microclimate. The dust mite, unlike my favorite, disassembled up and down, the Ixodes tick (carrying borreliosis) belongs to the Pyroglyphidae family. The dust mite is much smaller than the forest mite - 0.2 ... 0.3 mm and has a faintly visible translucent body. A distinctive feature of the dust mite is the "striped" morphology of the chitinous cover.

These mites feed on dead scales of the human epidermis (exfoliated skin). If we assume that about 70-150 mg of skin flakes are exfoliated from the body of a healthy person every day, then this amount of food is enough to feed the population of the European dust mite for several months.

Another important element of the diet of ticks is mold. For example, the American dust mite Dermatophagoides farinae (the European D. pteronyssinus has a similar taste) consumes the fungi Alternaria alternata (Alternaria late blight) and Wallemia sebi . The last fungus is interesting because it was found on human hair and on various tissues. This mold can grow slowly even in the absence of nutrients and form small reddish brown colonies. And also W. sebi. can regulate its morphology and physiology to adapt to different environmental conditions (drought) and withstand osmotic stress. I have already written in detail about the mycotoxins produced by Alternaria, but I will say a few words about the mycotoxins of Vallemia now. The main ones are the tricyclic dihydroxysesquiterpenes valleminol, valleminone, vallimidion plus azasteroid UCA1064-B. The most toxic of the metabolites is vallimidion. By the way, expecting the main question from the reader, I will immediately answer it. Dust mites DO NOT eat the "black mold" Stachybotrys chartarum, nor do they eat the common golden penicillium Penicillium chrysogenum and the colorful Aspergillus versicolor. Those. mycotoxins produced by these fungi (citrinin and sterigmatocystin , a carcinogenic precursor of aflatoxin) can be ignored.

Returning to Valemia mushrooms. They may not produce mycotoxins, it all depends on the environmental conditions. An interesting distinguishing feature of this mold is that toxins begin to be actively produced with an increase in the concentration of NaCl salt (moreover, the mite can withstand concentrations up to 28% NaCl or 17% MgCl2). The most interesting thing is that Wallemia most often settles on dried and salted fish (especially in temperate climates). So, if suspicious spots of red-brown color are found on your favorite "smelt for beer" - "yummy" to throw away.

The second favorite product of the fungus are objects with a high sugar content (jams, preserves, maple syrup from Canada, etc.) and ... condensed milk (if you meet brown spots on condensed / concentrated milk, then know this is she, W. sebi ). Mold (more precisely, "xerophilic mold") can also infect brown rice that has been stored outdoors for a long time. There is a lot of this mold in house dust, although it was first identified by the Japanese in 1989. Since then, the fungus has often been positioned (along with dust mites) as the cause of asthma and allergies (in 20% of children from 3 to 14 years old, by the way). An increased risk of respiratory symptoms, exacerbations of asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, rhinosinusitis, bronchitis, and other respiratory infections have also been associated with Valemia. Link something link, but do not explain the mechanism. I will venture to connect everything with the action of mycotoxins, since I unwittingly became a public ambassador of mycotoxinology. The attention paid to the secondary metabolites of Vallemia in the scientific world is presented in fragments.

We are done with mold and its mycotoxins, back to mites, there is more to say here too. Most often they are considered safe and are perceived only as donors of allergens (allergy can occur if there are as few as 100 mites / g of dust).

Let me remind you once again that the main food source for mites is dead skin (dermatophyte mites). For digestion, the tick's body contains special enzymes (like peptidase), which are stored in feces and are the main activators of allergic reactions. There are opinions that the chitinous skeleton of the tick (the enzyme chitinase) and the protein tropomyosin from the muscles also contribute to the occurrence of allergic reactions. The faecal pellet size of house dust mites is 10–40 µm. Those. they still fall into the group of PM10 particles, but they cannot penetrate into the bloodstream (this is already the prerogative of PM2.5 particles with a diameter of 2.5 µm or less). In addition to respiratory problems, dust mite infestation has been associated with atopic dermatitis and damage to the epidermal skin barrier.

How to tell if there are mites in the dust

Indirectly, you can estimate as follows. If you a) have at least small amounts of dust b) a suitable microclimate in the apartment, then you definitely have dust mites. No matter how carefully you clean up, if at least a little dust remains, these arthropods will appear in it. Due to their small size, they are quite easily carried over short distances by wind, and indeed by air movement. More accurate data can be obtained, for example, by checking a dusty blanket with a microscope. Even the simplest Chinese usb / wifi microscope (> 100x) with aliexpress will allow you to see moving arthropods. There were people who proved to me that they could see dust mites that were transparent, in fractions of a millimeter, crawling over the blanket, but ... But I leave these statements on the conscience of "eyewitnesses".

Dust mite vs USB microscope

Suitable for identification of ticks and "adult" microscopes. The best option is metallographic microscopes with illumination and the ability to observe in polarized light. But to work with them, you need skills in preparing samples for observation, because. in lumps of dust it is not always possible to see living "impurities".

On foreign Internet auctions, you can also purchase express tests that show the presence of mites (more precisely, their metabolic products - mites allergens) in dust samples. All you need to do is vacuum up the dust and then examine the sample. Look on ebay/amazon for something like this:


Dust test with rapid test


How to deal with dust mites

Dust mites are a nesting species of organisms. They prefer dark, warm and humid microclimates. The main habitats are mattresses, bedding, carpets and upholstered furniture. Usually, mites, along with dust, are on the floor or other surfaces in relative calm. They do their job - they eat. But as soon as something disturbed them and raised the air (a person passed and raised dust, a pet ran and raised dust, etc.), they begin to pose a threat. The dust mite has a considerable size (as I wrote, the lower limit of PM10), but it still takes about 20-120 minutes to settle from the air back to the floor. In principle, we can say that the problem of dust mites did not exist until textile blankets and mattresses appeared, although dust has always existed.

A bit of biology to know your enemy by sight. The American dust mite at 24°C and 75% relative humidity goes from egg to adult in 35.6 days. Females lay an average of 66 eggs and live an average of 100.4 days (about 63 days after oviposition). Our native European dust mite completes its life cycle at 24°C and 75% relative humidity in 34 days. Females lay 68 eggs, mated females live an average of 31.2 days (about 1.8 days after ceasing to lay eggs). Dust mites development rate, fecundity (number of eggs laid) and lifespan are highly dependent on temperature, humidity and food availability. These arthropods are very sensitive to the microclimate.

So, what can you do to minimize the risk of getting problems from dust mites? The simplest is drying bed linen in a "hot dryer". Warming up for an hour will kill 99% of the ticks in it.

Dust mite protection . Dust mites also do a little useful work. For example, they restore the original microstructure of cotton fibers (spreads / blankets), microfibers are deformed upon contact with bare skin.

The eggs that dust mites lay in tissues are resistant to freezing (withstand -70 ° C for 30 minutes), but sensitive to light and heat. For example, they die when the fabric is exposed to direct sunlight for 3 hours. Dry heat (60°C for 30 minutes) or steam drying will do. By the way, adult dust mites drown in water. Dust mites cannot survive if the relative humidity in the apartment is below 45%, but at the same time, if at least 1.5-2 hours a day the humidity rises above the specified figure (for example, when cooking), then this will be enough for the mites to live .

Cold is the enemy of dust mites . Eggs are resistant, but adults are not. Therefore, some authors recommend freezing soft toys and small objects during the day at a temperature of –17°C...–20°C. If a refrigerator freezer is used, then things are recommended to be washed after freezing to remove dead mites and their allergens. Available in cold climates, the method of killing mites on mattresses and pillows is to leave them for a day in the cold.

The properties of tissues also affect the degree of colonization by ticks. Tissues with a pore size in the range of 2-10 microns and an air permeability in the range of 2-6 cm³s⁻¹cm⁻² are more resistant. The fabric must have at least 246 threads per unit of fabric width (sq. inch~6.4516 sq. cm), i.e. TPI (English threads per inch) ≥ 246.

The thread count of a fabric, expressed in threads per inch/square centimeter, is a measure of the fineness (or coarseness, whichever suits you) of the fabric. This characteristic is determined by counting the number of threads that are contained in one square inch or centimeter of fabric. This characteristic is often used to assess the quality of cotton underwear. The standard TPI for most sheets is around 150. High quality sheets are 180 and up. What has TPI>200 is the so-called. "Percale" - cotton fabric of increased strength from untwisted threads.

In the West, such a direction as the production of anti-mite bedspreads is actively developing (?). The main purpose of such objects is to create a barrier for mite allergens (dust mite excrement) and to prevent the movement of mites through the fabric (in any direction). An important characteristic is vapor permeability. The greatest efficiency is shown by materials that have acaricidal impregnation (or the acaricide is introduced into the polymer at the stage of spinning threads). In addition to complex organics, copper oxide CuO coatings also work well.

No matter how clean the house is, it is impossible to completely get rid of dust mites . However, they can be reduced using the following methods:

- Use a dehumidifier or conditioner to keep the humidity at or below 50%.
- For mattress/pillows it is better to use dust covers (optimally if they are made from the fabrics described above)
— All duvets and bedding should be washed at least once a week in hot water at 55-60°C
- Down and / or woolen bed linen should be replaced with synthetic
- Carpet in the bedroom should be removed (or replaced with a very low pile product), fabric curtains replaced with blinds

Cannot be completely destroyed, but can be kept very low by keeping indoor humidity low and using proper housekeeping practices ( correct conditions for cleaning, washing, etc. ).

Speaking of laundry. As already mentioned, washing in hot water at a temperature of ≥60°C is necessary to kill dust mites and their allergens. But few people do this by washing bedding in cold or warm water. For such people, I will give information from an interesting study. In the experiment, common dust mites (D. farinae - American, E. maynei and D. pteronyssinus - European) were immersed in water of various temperatures, with various detergents and even bleach. Arthropods were kept in the washing solution for a certain time, and then the effectiveness of such treatment was evaluated. It turned out the following. In clean water at a temperature of 50°C, D. farinae mites were 100% killed in 10 minutes of washing; the method had no effect on E. maynei and D. pteronyssinus mites. But for the death of these mites, 5 and 12 minutes, respectively, were enough when washing in water with a temperature of 53 ° C. The use of surfactants and hypochlorite bleach generally had a positive effect (increased mite mortality) relative to pure water. Soaking fabrics with mites for 4 hours in warm water with detergents resulted in deaths of 2–35%, 14–46% and 19–50% of D. pteronyssinus, E. maynei, and D. farinae mites, respectively. Those. weekly washing of bed linen with detergents and bleach in combination with pre-soaking (4+ hours) allows you to kill the maximum number of D. farinae, and, depending on the harshness of the detergent, kill a sufficient number of D. pteronyssinus and E. maynei. If these recommendations are followed, there will be a cumulative effect that will eventually lead to a decrease in the level of dust mites (provided the use of pillow/quilt covers with anti-mite activity or special repellents/insecticides).

Pro chemical insecticides

To date, I do not know of insecticides that would be directed purely at dust mites. The first thing that comes to mind is this benzyl benzoate, in combination with tannin, but this is a rather old composition. Of the more interesting and modern, we can recall special fabric softeners, like STERIFAB. It contains propan-2-ol (alcohol), HOUR, and the main acaricidal component phenothrin (Sumithrin aka Phenothrine aka Wellcide aka Pibutin, Anvil, Duet, Anchimanaito 20S). Phenothrin is a synthetic pyrethroid and is often used in aerosol insecticides to kill fleas and ticks. The drug is relatively safe for humans, but poisonous to cats and dogs (causes convulsions, etc.) Another Nyguard Plus product contains the same phenothrin, plus the phenothrin synergist N-octylbicycloheptenedicarboximide, and pyriproxyfen (Nylar aka Cyclio, aka Virbac, aka Exil Flea Free TwinSpot, aka Emax) is a juvenile hormone analogue and insect growth inhibitor. For those who are interested in the topic, my article provides examples of other commercial acaricides and products, some with the ability to denature dust mite allergens.

About denaturators. It is not difficult to destroy adult ticks, especially if you have chemistry on hand. But dead mites and their excrement will still be present in the dust, get into the lungs and cause allergies. In order to neutralize them, substances are used that denature the enzymes of mites (and reduce the allergenic potential of dust). I wrote in detail about the process of denaturation in the habrastya (see Remarque's section on protein denaturation). This is a process that leads to a change in the conformation of a protein molecule (under the influence of various destabilizing factors) and the loss of its natural properties (solubility, hydrophilicity, etc.). Examples from life - boiling eggs (thermal denaturation), tanning leather (chemical denaturation). Denaturation of mite allergens is about the same as tanning leather, it is not surprising that the same “tannin” substance, tannin, is even used for this purpose. Tick ​​allergens are bound by the phenolic groups of tannin, polymerize and become more hydrophobic. A 3% solution of tannin denatures group I dust allergens, but is somewhat less effective against group II allergens (Derp II and Der f II are for allergists). Among the shortcomings, we can mention that tannin is able to stain fabrics.

A huge list of plants and biorational pesticides based on them (for certain types of dust mites) is “in stock” on Patreon.

Herbal repellent against dust mites

I believe that the most effective approach is not to destroy, but to scare away. Therefore, I will traditionally describe the effectiveness of plant compounds against dust mites. It should be noted that studies of this kind are present in the world scientific periodicals in fragments, mainly patents are presented. So there is not much information, but it is available. First of all, it is worth noting the essential oils of cypress obtusus / hinoki (C. obtusa), dense-flowered pine (P. densiflora) and Japanese camellia (C. japonica), which repel dust mites, moreover, repel both males and females equally well. The monoterpenoid nepetalactone derived from catnip (Nepeta cataria) or the sesquiterpenoid elemol derived from orange/dye mulberry fruit (Maclura pomifera) also have fairly high repellent activity against dust mites (see US Patent US6524605). The monoterpenoid L-menthone found in pennyroyal (flea mint) exhibits acaricidal and repellant activity against dust mites when applied to carpets, food containers, and the human body (see Japanese Patent JP198807920). An interesting study was conducted in South Korea. The fabrics were impregnated with a hot water-methanol extract from the core of the Chinese juniper (Juniperus chinensis). As a result, a very high repellent activity against dust mites was observed - about 94-96%.

An article in Nature describes an experiment in which dust mites were treated with Melissa officinalis essential oil. Almost 100% death of ticks was observed, and what is most interesting is that they changed color, from transparent to golden. The researchers found that the main substance responsible for this effect is 3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienal. The action was better manifested in closed containers, i.e. the main delivery route is in pairs. Working concentrations - from 0. 5 to 1% solution of essential oil.

If “herbalists from instagrams” suddenly get on Habr, they may be useful for a complete list of plants (and their essential oils) that have repellent activity against dust mites.

Physical methods of exposure to ticks

If neither acaricides, nor a decrease in humidity in the apartment, nor even the essential oils of plants suit you (didn’t help?), then the last way remains - physical impact. Although in fairness it should be said that heat treatment is also physics, but I will give it to myself. This section can be considered an answer to readers' questions. It is also worth noting that physical methods are gradually becoming more widespread as an alternative or addition to acaricidal preparations.

So, the first question is “what about in the microwave?”. If it's in the microwave it will work. In the study, the authors tested how the European and American dust mites are affected by microwave radiation with a standard frequency of 2450 MHz. Microwave ovens from different manufacturers were used at three power levels (min-medium-max). At medium and high power levels, almost 100% death of mites was observed with an exposure of 5 minutes. But the authors themselves position this technique as a means of emergency treatment of small things infected with ticks. Moreover, it was found that the increase in mortality is directly dependent on the humidity of the environment in which the ticks are located. Which correlates with the theses described earlier about washing in hot water. An important effect of microwave treatment is that the surviving ticks lose their ability to reproduce. The question of the effect of microwave radiation on allergens remains open, although due to their protein nature, they are also highly likely to denature.

Second question “Do ultrasonic insect repellers work on ticks?”. Here the answer is negative, see for example a study where the author tested two different devices - Aramox Ultrasonic Dust Mite Controller Repeller and Newegg Ultrasonic Dust Mite Controller Killer Repeller (it is already clear from the names that American devices) - to reduce the number of European dust mites within a separate taken carpet. As a result, there was no difference in the number of live mites between the treated and control samples. Those. devices have absolutely no effect. But, despite the fact that there are no such publications, I will assume that when using ultrasound in combination with washing, the effect will be strictly positive, i.e. ticks will be destroyed even in cold water, due to cavitation. But full-fledged automatic washing machines with ultrasonic treatment, as far as I know, are not on sale. All that is available is submersible "washing machines", which are a conventional moisture-proof ultrasound generator.

Such devices are suitable only for soaking, and in theory they can completely reduce its time from the previously mentioned 4 hours to 3...2...1. But to complete the picture, of course, experimental verification is needed.

Third question "what if it's a quartz lamp?". The answer will also be in the affirmative. In the article, the researchers tested this hypothesis. Adult ticks were irradiated with bactericidal ultraviolet (254 nm) for different times (5,10,15,20,30 and 60 minutes) and at different distances to the lamp (10,25,35,45 and 55 cm). Tick ​​eggs were subjected to almost the same treatment (10, 35, and 55 cm for 0.5, 1, 2, 3, and 5 minutes). Adult mites were checked immediately after treatment and a day later, the viability of eggs was assessed a week after treatment. It turned out the following: the highest (100%) instantaneous death occurred with direct irradiation at a distance of 10 cm from the UV lamp for 60 minutes for all types of mites. The average mortality after 24 hours was ~58% for European and ~28% for American ticks when exposed for 1 hour at a distance of 55 cm. in laboratory conditions, the method works. The difficulty lies in the fact that the real apartment bears little resemblance to a laboratory, and ticks do not sit on open experimental sites, but inside fabrics or dust. And dust can perfectly reflect ultraviolet light. Nevertheless, it can be assumed that the use of recirculators in the house can significantly reduce the viability of mites and their eggs, which are in the form of bioaerosol.

When working with ultraviolet light, observe safety precautions (see habrastya)

In fourth place are air ionizers. They can help a little too. In the article, the authors used an air ionizer from Medklinn, which, using the Non-Thermal Plasma technology, turns neutral oxygen molecules into negatively charged atoms (negative air ions) and allegedly produces 3 million of these objects every second. At the same time, ozone (about 0.05 ppm) is also released along with air ions. As a result, the 50% death time was 10 hours for the European tick and 18 hours for the American tick. The time to die for 50% of the ticks in the model mattress was 132 hours or 5.5 days for the European tick and 72 hours or 3 days for the American tick. Time taken to die 95% of ticks of both species was approximately 36 hours. The time to kill 95% of the ticks in the model mattress was 956 hours or 39.8 days for the European tick and 403 hours or 16.8 days for the American tick. I think everything is very clear here. Ticks die, i.e. corona discharge air ionizers can in theory be used to reduce mite populations on exposed surfaces (floor, clothing, curtains, etc.). However, the effectiveness against ticks hidden inside soft materials (mattresses and furniture) leaves much to be desired. I will assume that the main effect is not "Chizhevsky's therapeutic air ions", but ozone.

So since I mentioned the ionizer and the side effect of ozone, I can also mention ozone with the side effect of the ionizer. You can start with an article in which the authors launched 40-60 dust mites into a “room” of 50 cubic centimeters in size. Temperature and humidity were also maintained at the level of an average apartment (25°C/75%). Ozone was supplied in the range of 0.19–10.62% vol. The ozone concentration was linearly related to the percentage of dead mites. At a concentration of 400 mg/min/L of air, the mites died instantly. Another article tested the effects of ozone not only on the mites themselves, but also on their allergens. In the experiment, a "room" the size of a cubic meter, ozone at a concentration of 20,30,40 and 50 mg/l and an exposure time (treatment interval) of 1.2.3 hours were used. The percentage of dead ticks was counted one day after treatment, along with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to evaluate the activity of allergens. It was found that treatment with ozone at a concentration of 30 mg/l for 3 hours completely destroyed the entire population of dust mites. Treatment with ozone at a concentration of ≥ 40 mg/l for 3 hours reduced the number of allergens by more than 50% (by the way, more than a lower concentration of 20-30 mg/l). The authors themselves suggest that ozone treatment at 30 mg/L/≥3 hours, 40 mg/L/≥2 hours, or 50 mg/L/1 hour may be an excellent alternative to chemical methods of dust mites control. Before working with ozone, I recommend that you familiarize yourself with the habrastatya and follow safety precautions.


Summing up, we can say the following. If you have a constant allergy to dust, even despite constant cleaning, it may be worth paying attention to microscopic parasites, and not blaming cats / dogs / pollen, etc. An effective way to reduce the number of mites is to keep the humidity in the apartment below 45%, the use of plant repellents and the correct techniques for washing bed linen weekly. Freezing linen / bedding (-17 ..-20 degrees Celsius throughout the day) can also be a good “hit on a dust mite”. This will be the most economical way to fight for those who live in cold climates. For those who are on YOU with an ozonator, the use of ozone can be a great substitute for pesticides. All questions related to the publication - ask in the tg-channel, or in Patreon.

Early publications, also known as a retrospective of biosustainable pesticides and control methods: borreliosis/encephalitic mites, house ants, fleas, cockroaches, bed bugs.

Sincerely, colloid chemist and public safety evangelist Siarhei Besarab


Health risks associated with house dust mites.

2020.11.07

The thought arises: “So what?” It may be unpleasant to think about it, but why should I care? Is it important to have dust mites in the house? Is the field full of mold spores and viruses? There are bacteria in our stomach; It may not be such a big deal if our pillows and bedding have dust mites on them.

These are small creatures, invisible to the naked eye, ranging in size from 0.25 to 0.30 millimeters. If we look at them through a microscope, we see a small tick with 8 hairy legs. Favorable conditions for dust mites to live: 20-25 degrees Celsius and 70-80% humidity. They live in your bed, pillow, mattress, floor, carpets, curtains, rugs, tapestries, upholstered furniture and toys, and even on clothes. Dust mites feed on dead human or animal skin cells and absorb moisture even from the air. However, if dust mites are found in high concentrations in the environment, it can be a problem for your health. You may never notice it, but you may experience allergic reactions. Dust mites cause up to 70% of all inhaled allergies.

Dust mite allergy is one of the most common causes of asthma worldwide. Typically, symptoms caused by dust mites involve the nasal cavity, as many dust mite particles are inhaled through the nose. You will start to be disturbed by sneezing, feel stuffy nose, itchy nose and runny nose. If you have children, these symptoms may cause the child to rub their nose, which is one indicator of allergic rhinitis. Dust mites can cause eye problems: they make your eyes itchy or watery, tempting you to rub them, making them even more annoying. The eyes may be swollen, red, cloudy. Some have itching of the face, nose, nose, head. Dust mites can cause and/or exacerbate asthma symptoms. This is one of the most common asthma problems. Dust mites, while not causing asthma, can trigger an asthma attack. Asthma can also be caused by sleep disturbance, often caused by shortness of breath or nighttime coughing and wheezing. All this is exacerbated if the asthma victim suffers from a respiratory illness caused by a virus, such as the flu or a cold. If you have similar complaints, please contact our allergist/clinical immunologist Margarita Paulauskienė.

Where do dust and dust mites come from?

Dust consists of various particles found in the environment. It can be dander and hair from the soil, pollen, hair, dead skin, paper fibers, and your pets. In any case, dust is a combination of all these materials, and dust mites make their homes in them. They need the right conditions to breed and grow best in dark, damp and warm areas. They also need a food source. In addition to water or a humid environment, they need dust, which is found in every home. It is impossible to completely rid a house of dust, so it is impossible to have a house completely free of dust mites. The aim is to minimize the accumulation of dust and therefore dust mites and your allergic reaction to them.

Dust mites are most commonly found in bedding, carpets, clothing fabrics or the air, especially after vacuuming. Dust with dust mites remains in the air for several hours, and inhaling it causes breathing problems. Researchers from the Department of Entomology at the University of Kentucky have found that microscopic dust mite particles (especially feces) can remain airborne for hours and enter the respiratory tract. To remove these allergens, vacuum cleaners with a HEPA filter should be used.

How to get rid of dust mites in a room

Dust mites need a source of water. When using a dehumidifier or air conditioner, the relative humidity should be less than 50%. Dust mites also need a food source, so try to get rid of food sources or places where they can breed. A good example would be removing the carpet, if any, and replacing it with hard flooring.


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