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Indika Organics - Organic Bedding and matirials. Full line of Anti Dust mite and bed bug prook fabrics bedding and materials.
Let the Battle Begin!
There is no single solution for getting rid of dust mites, however some battle strategies can help you win the war.
A Wright State University study (funded with an EPA grant) on dust mites from 1996 - 1999 titled "Factors Controlling the Dust Mite Population in the Indoor Environment" said, in part of its conclusion, that "it is possible, practical and effective to reduce indoor RH (relative humidity) to levels that will control dust mites. This coupled with regular vacuum cleaning by the participants of the study resulted in the reduction of allergen in surface dust to insignificant levels."
Other conclusions the study reached can help people combat Dust Mite problems. Such conclusions include:
- "To effectively control dust mites under fluctuating hydrating and dehydrating RHs, daily humidity must be kept at 35 percent for at least 16 hours."
- "Washing clothes and bedding in hot water (50 C) for >30 minutes is required to kill D. pteronyssinus and E. maynei whereas a 7.5-minute wash will kill D. farinae. One-hundred percent mortality can be reached for D. pteronyssinus and E. maynei after 12- and 5-minute soaks, respectively, at 53 C. A 4-hour wash in warm water (35 C) kills less than half of the mites."
So besides the above, what are some things that you can do to help control Dust Mite problems? Here's are some great tips put out in 2000 via a press release by the AAAAI:
Using a combination of allergen barriers and a regular washing routine can significantly lower the number of dust mites found in the bedroom, even in humid regions, say Australian researchers in the June Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (JACI). This is good news for asthma sufferers, since dust mites are estimated to induce allergy and asthma symptoms in millions of people. The JACI is the peer-reviewed, scientific journal of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI).
Dust mites are microscopic, sightless, eight-legged arthropods that are natural inhabitants of indoor environments. The droppings of these mites are the most common trigger of perennial allergy and asthma symptoms, especially in humid regions where dust mites tend to thrive throughout the home, such as the case in Australia.
Because of the high humidity in Australia and the allergic problems associated with it, lead researcher Carl Vanlaar and colleagues set out to determine how to successfully reduce dust mite allergen levels in the bed. The beds of 14 children were tested by encasing the mattresses and pillows in covers and washing all bedding with an acaricidal additive, a solution proven to kill mites and ticks. Beds occupied by the siblings of the 14 children were used as the control and were not treated. Dust was vacuumed from beds and settled dust was collected and measured. The level of dust mite allergens in treated beds was immediately reduced almost 10-fold, and levels remained low over an extended period of time. The amount of allergens near the bed was also lower.
Researchers conclude that preventative measures can substantially decrease the amount of dust mite allergens in the bed and in the air around the beds, even in humid regions. Furthermore, these steps should be followed as a measure to control asthma.
"Washing bedding in extremely hot water once a week and encasing pillows and mattresses in allergen impervious covers are the easiest and most effective ways to reduce allergen levels in the home," said Michael Ruff, M.D., spokesperson of the AAAAI, "This study proves that even allergy and asthma sufferers living in areas with high humidity can benefit from these steps."