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It\u2019s unpleasant to think about, but you\u2019re almost certainly sharing your home with dust mites. These little creatures are largely harmless, but they can cause allergy symptoms in some people. If you\u2019re wondering how to get rid of dust mites, the bad news is it\u2019s unrealistic to eliminate them completely. That said, their numbers can be greatly reduced with the correct steps.<\/p>\n
\u201cDust mites don’t bite people, but they are one of the most common indoor allergy triggers,\u201d explains Kevin Hathorne, Lead Entomologist at Terminix Service Inc.<\/a>. \u201cThe proteins found in their feces and body fragments can become airborne and cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.\u201d<\/p>\n Meet the Experts: Kevin Hathorne, Lead Entomologist at Terminix Service Inc.<\/a>; Sharlene Llanes, M.D.<\/a>, an allergist and immunologist with AllerVie Health, Loxahatchee, Purvi Parikh, M.D.<\/a>, an allergist with NYU Langone, James Faix, M.D.<\/a>, medical director of immunology at Quest Diagnostics; Joel Craddock,<\/a> International Sanitary Supply Association<\/a> Cleaning Institute Master Trainer and CEO of Doc\u2019s Facilities Solutions Inc<\/a>. Some of the symptoms you might notice include sneezing, a runny or itchy nose, coughing, or itchy skin. \u201cMany people notice their symptoms are worse first thing in the morning because they’ve spent several hours in close contact with bedding, where dust mites are most abundant,\u201d explains Hathorne.<\/p>\n Below, experts explain more about what dust mites are, where they often dwell, and how you can reduce the number of them in your home.<\/p>\n What are dust mites?<\/p>\n \u201cDust mites are microscopic, insect-like creatures that are found in homes and can cause significant allergy and asthma symptoms,\u201d explains Sharlene Llanes, M.D.<\/a>, an allergist and immunologist with AllerVie Health, Loxahatchee. \u201cThey don\u2019t bite, but they feed off the dead skin of humans and pets.\u201d Purvi Parikh, M.D.<\/a>, an allergist with NYU Langone adds that they aren\u2019t harmful to humans unless you\u2019re allergic. However, the allergy may be difficult to pinpoint at first considering dust mites are invisible to the naked human eye.<\/p>\n Dust mite sources <\/p>\n Though you can find dust mites in commercial buildings, like your office, Dr. Parikh and Dr. Llanes say they\u2019re more likely to dwell and multiply at home where there are lots of soft surfaces like:<\/p>\n UpholsteryClothingCarpets and rugsBox springsMattressesPillowsCurtainsStuffed animals<\/p>\n They also thrive in warm, humid environments, adds James Faix, M.D.<\/a>, medical director of immunology at Quest Diagnostics, so they may not be super present, if at all, in places that are ultra-cold and dry. \u201cTheir presence increases significantly in summer, and wanes in winter,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n Dust mite allergies<\/p>\n Dr. Parikh says the major concern with dust mites is when someone has allergies<\/a> to them, which can bring about conventional seasonal allergy symptoms<\/a> like congestion, sneezing, and itchy throat and ears, or asthma flare-ups and breathing issues. Dr. Faix says some people who are allergic to dust mites may also experience skin welts or rashes. As previously mentioned, the mites don\u2019t bite or burrow\u2014the allergic reaction stems from inhalation of and exposure to their feces, urine, or corpses, per the American Lung Association<\/a>.<\/p>\n If you suspect you have a dust mite allergy, Dr. Parikh suggests visiting a board-certified allergist or immunologist. They can determine the best course of action for treatment, which will depend on your symptoms. For example, allergy-like symptoms may be treated with antihistamines, whereas breathing symptoms may require an albuterol inhaler, Dr. Faix says. There\u2019s also immunotherapy treatment, which works to lessen the severity of the allergy by gradually exposing you to increasing numbers of dust mites over time, he adds.<\/p>\n How to get rid of dust mites<\/p>\n Before you prepare for battle, know this: There\u2019s no way to wipe them out completely. \u201cThey are everywhere,\u201d says Dr. Llanes. \u201cAs long as there is a human in a home, dust mites are there to stay.\u201d<\/p>\n However, there are a few things you can do to lighten the load.<\/p>\n Cover up<\/p>\n Dr. Purvhi says you can buy dust mite covers that zip around the mattress and box spring to create a barrier between you and the mites. You can also purchase hypoallergenic covers for pillows and slipcovers for fabric furniture.<\/p>\n Wash your bedding<\/p>\n Dr. Llanes suggests washing your bedding weekly in hot water greater than 120 degrees to keep bed dust mites at bay. There are also additives you can buy to mix into the wash that are specifically made to extinguish dust mites. If you do opt to use one, however, be sure to follow the label instructions.<\/p>\n Clean your carpets (or remove them)<\/p>\n Remove rugs and carpets and wash them in hot water, or vacuum carpeted areas you can\u2019t remove, Dr. Purvhi recommends. Dr. Llanes suggests vacuuming at least weekly with a HEPA-filtered vacuum cleaner<\/a>. If that sounds like a lot of work, Dr. Faix says you can nix the upholstery altogether and opt for hardwood floors and leather lounge furniture.<\/p>\n Add Prevention as a preferred source in your Google search results.<\/p>\n Use your Google account to add this to your settings.<\/p>\n Add to Google settings<\/p>\n Don\u2019t sleep with stuffed animals<\/p>\n These can harbor dust mites, so keeping them out of your bed is ideal to keep the space clear, especially for young children with allergies, Dr. Purvhi says.<\/p>\n Drop the temperature and buy a dehumidifier <\/p>\n Dr. Purvhi says that dust mites love warm, humid spaces. By keeping the temperature in your home low, you keep numbers down. On top of that, Dr. Llanes says it\u2019s ideal to keep your home\u2019s humidity below 50%, which you can do with the help of a good dehumidifier.<\/p>\n Choose blinds over curtains<\/p>\n Swap out your heavy draperies for hard plastic or wooden blinds to give mites one less place to hang out.<\/p>\n Savor the sun<\/p>\n Joel Craddock,<\/a> International Sanitary Supply Association<\/a> Cleaning Institute Master Trainer and CEO of Doc\u2019s Facilities Solutions Inc.<\/a> says sunshine can effectively kill off dust mites. When the weather is nice, he suggests hanging comforters, covers, and blankets out on a clothing line to dry in the sun and nix any remaining dust mites.<\/p>\n Install an air purifier<\/p>\n
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