Dust mites are something you certainly do not want living in your bed sheets, and if you suspect you have an infestation, you’ll want to do something about it as soon as possible.
According to the Mayo Clinic, “dust mites, close relatives of ticks and spiders, are too small to see without a microscope”. On its website, it continues: “Dust mites eat skin cells shed by people, and they thrive in warm, humid environments. In most homes, such items as bedding, upholstered furniture and carpeting provide an ideal environment for dust mites.”
They can cause symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, breathlessness, a runny nose, itchy and watery eyes, and even itchy skin – so if you’re struggling with any of these things, dust mites may be in your home.
TikToker @allermi reiterated that dust mites “love bedding, pillows, and mattresses”.
The expert shared that the best thing to do if you have dust mites is to get “allergy covers”, which “zip around the mattress and pillow”. You’re not supposed to take them off and then wash the rest of the bedding “once a week” in hot water.
She also said that you should avoid down and feathers if you’re struggling with dust mites, or dust mite allergy, as “down would harbour dust mites and […] make the allergy worse”.
You should also avoid humidifiers in the bedroom if you’re struggling with the pests, as “humidifiers would raise the ambient humidity”. As a result, they would also “raise the dust mite concentration” – but air purifiers are “fine”, she claimed.
Mayo Clinic shares that “you can’t completely eliminate dust mites from your home”, but “you can significantly reduce their number.”
Their top tips are:
If you’re struggling with a suspected dust mite allergy, contact your GP for advice.