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Dust mite allergy : the right reflexes to adopt to protect yourself from dust mites
Everything you need to know to protect yourself and eliminate dust mites : the right reflexes to adopt to limit the proliferation of dust mites and win the battle.Dust mites are microscopic spiders that are invisible to the naked eye.
Dust mites produce allergenic particles (droppings, debris of dead dust mites, etc.). The small size of these particles makes it easier to inhale. They are involved in 50 % of allergic symptoms (asthma, rhinitis, etc.).
They can be found in carpets, curtains... But their favorite place remains the bedrooms and especially the mattresses. A mattress can hold several million. Dust mites love heat and humidity (we all sweat at night), and feed on human dander (dead skin debris, hair).
Mites only live for about two months, but they reproduce quickly. A female lays between 25 and 50 eggs every three weeks, hence a very important development.
They can be found in carpets, curtains... But their favorite place remains the bedrooms and especially the mattresses. A mattress can hold several million. Dust mites love heat and humidity (we all sweat at night), and feed on human dander (dead skin debris, hair).
Mites only live for about two months, but they reproduce quickly. A female lays between 25 and 50 eggs every three weeks, hence a very important development.
It is estimated that about one in ten adults and one in five children is allergic to dust mites.
Many people allergic to dust mites wake up with runny noses, itchy eyes... But reactions vary from one individual to another.
The important thing is therefore to consult an allergist, to follow the recommended hygiene measures (limit temperature, ventilate frequently, remove dust), and to create a natural, acaricide-free protective barrier between the mites present in the mattress and the sleeper. Because dust mites, even when dead, remain allergenic!
The use of an Indoor Environment Medical Advisor can also be of great use to you to carry out an audit of your indoor environment. "The CIAM investigates the homes of people who request it – through a doctor, and on the latter's prescription – takes samples (dust, mould, etc.) and allergen measurements, and establishes a diagnosis that then allows the implementation of measures for the eviction of domestic pollutants, and the adaptation of one's home".
The important thing is therefore to consult an allergist, to follow the recommended hygiene measures (limit temperature, ventilate frequently, remove dust), and to create a natural, acaricide-free protective barrier between the mites present in the mattress and the sleeper. Because dust mites, even when dead, remain allergenic!
The use of an Indoor Environment Medical Advisor can also be of great use to you to carry out an audit of your indoor environment. "The CIAM investigates the homes of people who request it – through a doctor, and on the latter's prescription – takes samples (dust, mould, etc.) and allergen measurements, and establishes a diagnosis that then allows the implementation of measures for the eviction of domestic pollutants, and the adaptation of one's home".
Limiting the proliferation of dust mites
If your home is dark, hot and humid, if you rarely clean up or if your clothes are piled up in your room... Here are the first tips to limit the proliferation of dust mites, starting with a major cleaning and possibly some work.
Indeed, there is nothing like a major cleaning to reduce the presence of allergenic dust mites. A big washing, a lot of dusting, some adjustments in the house and the mite colony will decrease. That being said, it is impossible to completely eliminate dust mites, the important thing is to reduce their number!
Indeed, there is nothing like a major cleaning to reduce the presence of allergenic dust mites. A big washing, a lot of dusting, some adjustments in the house and the mite colony will decrease. That being said, it is impossible to completely eliminate dust mites, the important thing is to reduce their number!
1 – Do a big clean
- Remove dust and sources of dust accumulation.
- For dust, the use of a damp cloth prevents allergenic dust from being thrown into the air when vacuuming. Or use a vacuum cleaner with a good HEPA 14 filter that won't release the finest dust particles into the air. Indeed, conventional vacuum cleaners tend to nebulize fine allergenic particles in the air...
- Wash your bedding frequently (ideally every week) at the highest possible temperature (ideally 60 degrees). Remember to wash your blankets, duvets, curtains, etc. several times a year.
It is necessary to avoid cleaning when the allergic person is present, or that the person allergic to dust mites is cleaning...
2 – Avoid sources of dust accumulation
- Avoid carpets and choose a hard floor (parquet,..), ideally washable with water.
- Avoid carpets that provide a welcoming environment for dust mites.
- Choose a slatted bed base (without fabric) and not a box spring mattress.
- Do not store suitcases or toy boxes under your bed,... which will be sources of dust.
- Avoid fleece mattress pads... or wash them every month at the highest temperature (ideally 60 degrees if possible) even if they are not dirty.
- Remove clutter from your home.
- Don't pile up sources of dust in your bedroom (old magazines, books,...), store your clothes in a closed wardrobe,...
- Do not allow pets to enter the bedroom.
- Limit the number of cuddly toys for children and wash them frequently.
3 – Flush out the humidity
- Air out every day, even in winter, to get rid of moisture.
- Leave the bed open all day (do not make the bed...), so that the moisture accumulated during the night can escape.
- Limit the temperature in the bedroom to less than 19 degrees.
- Do not put a source of humidity in the room (drying clothes, aquarium, etc.) and if necessary, use dehumidifiers to keep the humidity level low in the house.
- Ideally, dry your laundry outside the house or have a dryer with an exhaust to the outside.
Creating a natural anti-dust mite protective barrier
During your big cleaning, pay special attention to your bedding and create a natural protective barrier between you and the dust mites.
4 - Protect your mattresses, pillows and duvet
It is recommended that you cover your mattress, pillows and duvet with IMMUNOCTEM® dust mite covers Without acaricide chemical treatment. These dust mite covers form a natural mechanical protective barrier (a filter) against dust mite allergens. Dust mites and dust mite allergens will not be able to leave the mattress. Preferably use a slatted bed base (and not a box spring) and avoid storing objects under your bed to promote air circulation and limit dust accumulation. Avoid fleece mattress pads or wash them every month (ideally 60 degrees if possible). It is preferable to choose a synthetic duvet (and not feather) in order to limit the development of dust mites. But above all, be sure to use protection Without acaricide chemical treatment.
5 - Opt for protection Without acaricide chemical treatment
We do not recommend using mattresses and bedding covers impregnated with an acaricide chemical, or any other miticide bombs or anti-mite sprays. Natural or synthetic miticide chemicals will kill dust mites... But these treatments, which are often ephemeral, are not always trivial because of the potential toxicity of the products used (biocides). In addition, they do not address the real problem because dust mites, even when dead, remain allergenic.
To learn more about the potential toxicity of anti-dust mite treatments (and other household products), we advise you to read the special issue of "60 million consumers" of April-May 2017, No 188, especially page 17 on anti-dust mite treatments "Are you tempted by an anti-dust mite duvet or pillows? Don't do it : the substances that lurk there are at least allergenic, at worst toxic... ».
To learn more about the potential toxicity of anti-dust mite treatments (and other household products), we advise you to read the special issue of "60 million consumers" of April-May 2017, No 188, especially page 17 on anti-dust mite treatments "Are you tempted by an anti-dust mite duvet or pillows? Don't do it : the substances that lurk there are at least allergenic, at worst toxic... ».
6 - Some tips for handling your covers
To avoid dispersing allergenic particles in your room, we advise you to :
IMMUNOCTEM® anti-dust mite covers without acaricide treatment protect you from dust mites present in the mattress. That being said, when you take off your IMMUNOCTEM® cover to wash it at 60 degrees, you will release allergenic particles into the air (debris of dead dust mites, dust mite droppings present in your mattress). For this reason, we recommend that you only wash your IMMUNOCTEM® dust mite covers when necessary on a basis of about 2 times a year. The allergic person should avoid being present when removing the cover.
For pillows and duvets, we advise you to remove IMMUNOCTEM® covers outside your bedroom and preferably outdoors to avoid letting allergenic particles escape into your home.
Finally, we recommend that you equip yourself with a mattress specially designed to limit the development of dust mites (such as the IMMUNOCTEM® anti-dust mite mattress without acaricide treatment). The specific design of this mattress (no wool, no wadding, etc.) equipped with the IMMUNOCTEM® mattress cover from the factory limits the development of dust mites, and in fact, the nebulization of dust mites in the air when removing the cover from the IMMUNOCTEM® cover for washing at 60 degrees.
- take special precautions to remove your mattress and pillow covers,limit
- the use of your vacuum cleaner unless it is equipped with a HEPA particulate filter
- equip yourself, if possible, with an anti-dust mite mattress without acaricide treatment
IMMUNOCTEM® anti-dust mite covers without acaricide treatment protect you from dust mites present in the mattress. That being said, when you take off your IMMUNOCTEM® cover to wash it at 60 degrees, you will release allergenic particles into the air (debris of dead dust mites, dust mite droppings present in your mattress). For this reason, we recommend that you only wash your IMMUNOCTEM® dust mite covers when necessary on a basis of about 2 times a year. The allergic person should avoid being present when removing the cover.
For pillows and duvets, we advise you to remove IMMUNOCTEM® covers outside your bedroom and preferably outdoors to avoid letting allergenic particles escape into your home.
Finally, we recommend that you equip yourself with a mattress specially designed to limit the development of dust mites (such as the IMMUNOCTEM® anti-dust mite mattress without acaricide treatment). The specific design of this mattress (no wool, no wadding, etc.) equipped with the IMMUNOCTEM® mattress cover from the factory limits the development of dust mites, and in fact, the nebulization of dust mites in the air when removing the cover from the IMMUNOCTEM® cover for washing at 60 degrees.
7 - Good habits on a daily basis
Once you have done what is necessary to eliminate dust mites and protect your bedding, all you have to do is adopt the right reflexes on a daily basis.
Remember to air out the rooms and bedding every day. Regular ventilation, even in winter, will drive away moisture and regulate the temperature, which should ideally be 18-19°
C.Once a week, dust the furniture with a damp cloth (a damp cloth is less likely to nebulize dust in the air), and wash your sheets at 60 degrees (if possible) : dust mites do not survive these high temperatures. Also clean your linen every week.
To avoid dust accumulation, vacuum everywhere, frequently, including chairs. But be careful when vacuuming if your vacuum cleaner is not specially designed for allergy sufferers and therefore equipped with a HEPA filter. For children, don't forget to wash plush toys regularly.
In conclusion, to avoid the proliferation of dust mites, the rules are simple : a clean, bright (if possible), not too hot and well-ventilated house. After cleaning and protecting your bedding once and for all with IMMUNOCTEM® covers or IMMUNOCTEM® mattresses, carry out a meticulous cleaning regularly.
Remember to air out the rooms and bedding every day. Regular ventilation, even in winter, will drive away moisture and regulate the temperature, which should ideally be 18-19°
C.Once a week, dust the furniture with a damp cloth (a damp cloth is less likely to nebulize dust in the air), and wash your sheets at 60 degrees (if possible) : dust mites do not survive these high temperatures. Also clean your linen every week.
To avoid dust accumulation, vacuum everywhere, frequently, including chairs. But be careful when vacuuming if your vacuum cleaner is not specially designed for allergy sufferers and therefore equipped with a HEPA filter. For children, don't forget to wash plush toys regularly.
In conclusion, to avoid the proliferation of dust mites, the rules are simple : a clean, bright (if possible), not too hot and well-ventilated house. After cleaning and protecting your bedding once and for all with IMMUNOCTEM® covers or IMMUNOCTEM® mattresses, carry out a meticulous cleaning regularly.