Dust Mite Bites

House dust mites are small arthropods that actually belong to the same class (arachnid) as that of spiders and scorpions. Dust mites are off-white in color and are sized hardly more than 300 microns, which makes them invisible to the naked eye unless magnified. These are the cosmopolitan guests typically found in bed sheets, mattresses, pillows, carpets, soft toys, upholsteries, drapes, etc. A mattress housing dust mites can be said to consist of more than 2 million of these little creatures, which could be the reason behind the recent itchiness that you've started experiencing at home.

Do Dust Mites Bite?
Dust mites feed mainly on organic detritus like human dead skin and dander. As dust mites survive on dead skin, the most ideal spots where they can feed are the beds, blankets, mattresses, bed sheets, and towels. As a matter of fact, a normal person sheds approximately 1.5 grams of dead skin flakes per day. These mites with the help of their pair of jaws, break down their food and grind them with the help of saliva that is secreted, and just like an animal's, the food is then moved down the gut with the help of wave like motions until it's digested and then moved toward the anus to be dispelled in the form of a pellet. A particular protein present in the feces is what evokes an immune response in us human beings and not a bite. So, dust mites don't bite, they just carry a particular allergen in their feces which affects us.

What are the Symptoms of Dust Mite Allergens?
Dust mite bite symptoms are similar to those of normal mosquito or insect bites. When the allergens released by the dust mites come in contact with the body, the immune system considers them to be harmful intruders like viruses or bacteria and releases antibodies in an attempt to neutralize the threat. Other than causing skin irritation and itchiness, dust mite bites or dust mites can lead to several other allergies like asthma, frequent sneezing, runny nose, itching in the nose and throat, cough, watery and swollen eyes, redness of eyes, etc. Prolonged exposure to dust mites can give rise to asthma, eczema and atopic dermatitis. However, you need to know that not everyone are allergic to dust mites, there are those that display absolutely no symptom at all of dust mite contact.

How to Prevent a Dust Mite Allergic Reaction
To learn how to get rid of dust mites, you must find a way to detect whether the place is contaminated by the same. Detection of dust mites is the first step towards controlling and preventing dust mite bite reactions. There are several companies who claim to have dust mite detection kits that are able to tell you if you have a mild or severe case of dust mites in your house, however, there aren't any reviews for the same so we cannot guarantee the effectiveness of these kits. A more laborious way of checking them is by collecting a sample of dust in water and examining it under a 10x microscope. Seeing that both methods leave much to be desired for, the only way you will be able to control the population is by keeping your house cool, dry, and clean.

There are some simple precautions that you can take to avoid dust mite allergies. Firstly, wash the bed covers, pillow covers, blankets and drapes at least once a month with hot water (you will need to do that more often if your house is already infested with dust mites). Replacing feather filled pillows with those of synthetic materials can also prove useful in dust mite bites prevention. Dust mites grow vigorously in humid and moist conditions. Such humid conditions can be controlled with the use of air conditioners and dehumidifiers. Using a HEPA filter (filters with high efficiency particulate air) can also prove useful in clearing the air of allergens in case they're made airborne. Though, complete dependence on these filters is not advised as they only clear the air and are not capable of removing dust mites that are burrowed in mattresses or your linen.

Dust Mite Bites Treatment
Dust mites survive in any kind of climate, but places having humidity higher than the normal, can prove to be a great shelter for these mites. If the controlling measures for dust mites are just not helping and you or one of your family members is still suffering from dust mite bites, you can try the following dust mite bites treatments.

• Application of a chemical called hydrocortisone can sooth the skin irritation, inflammation, and redness of the skin.
• There are several over-the-counter drugs available for dust mite bites that are useful for topical allergies. This type of medication contains antihistamines, that help combat the bite-like reactions of dust mites.
• There are several forms of oral medication available too that can treat the allergies caused by the dust mite allergens.

Precautions to be taken here are, not to scratch and pick the irritated skin as it can worsen the dust mite allergen reaction. If the bite like formations are severe and don't seem to go with the above mentioned medication, see a health care provider.

As you've learnt, dust mite bites aren't really the dust mites biting or going parasitic on you. They are neither predators nor parasites, but scavengers. They live off the dry skin that you shed and the dander that your dog sheds, and dust and humidity propagate their breeding. Hence, take all precautions by keeping your place clean, dry, and relatively cool, and getting your fabrics washed on a regular basis.