What is a Dust Mite Allergy September 10 2014

House dust mites are tiny creatures - no more than 1/3 of a millimetre in length when fully grown. The bodies of the mites and in particular their faecal droppings contain potent allergenic proteins which can trigger allergic disorders. The most common allergic reactions to the Dust Mite Allergen are rhinitis (inflamed, runny nose) and asthma. But it may surprise you to find out that Dust Mite Allergens can irritate the skin, resulting in Eczema.

How and where do they thrive?

To survive, dust mites need humidity of more than 50% year round and temperatures that don't fall below freezing. The ideal conditions for their growth are 25°C and 75% relative humidity - making most of New Zealand and Auckland in particular a perfect environment for dust mites to flourish.

The main source of food for the House Dust Mite is the flakes of dead skin we (and our pets) are constantly shedding – each of us can shed as much as 600,000 dead skin cells per hour. Home furnishings - such as beds, carpets and sofas - become reservoirs of dead skin cells and other edible material, enabling the House Dust Mite to thrive.

Bedtime is of particular concern for many allergy sufferers, and it is easy to see why. During the night not only do we continue to shed skin but our bodies also produce sweat and warmth in bed, thus creating the ideal warm and humid environment for the house dust mite to live in.

Many people don't realise the link between sneezing at bedtime (or upon waking), wheezing, itchy skin and dust mites. If any of these sound familiar then you may have a Dust Mite Allergy and would benefit from an Allergen Barrier solution at bedtime.

MiteGuard's range of bedding products have been proven to block the dust mite allergen to below detectable levels and is recommended by Allergy NZ and Asthma NZ.

Reducing the Dust Mite Allergen in your home September 08 2014

Clinical Research Studies have shown that lowering exposure to dust mite allergens can help allergy sufferers by reducing the frequency and severity of their symptoms and by reducing their need for medication.

• Regularly clean and dust using a damp cloth
• Consider polished flooring instead of carpet
• Vacuum with a high-efficiency HEPA™ filter vacuum
• Regularly wash your bed linen in hot water every week (60°C is required to kill dust mites). A plumber may be able to by-pass the ‘Tempering Valve’ or you could use a front-loading washing machine.
• Shower or bath before you go to bed to help reduce the amount of dead skin you shed throughout the night.
• Install a ventilation system in your home or use a dehumidifier to keep household moisture levels low.
• Freeze your child’s favourite soft toys every 2-3 months. Freezing kills Dust Mites.
• Invest in some MiteGuard® Allergen Barrier Bedding and Pillow Covers

In most homes the mattress and bedding are the major reservoirs of dust mite allergen.
The depth and complex construction of mattresses mean no amount of vacuuming or treatment with
mite-killing sprays or powders (acaricides) will render it completely free from dust mite allergen.
Complete encasement with a specialised allergen-barrier cover such as MiteGuard® is the only effective means of protection.

Pillows are also a major source of dust mite allergen – and our noses are pressed up against them all night long!  A MiteGuard® pillow cover and regular weekly hot water washing of the outer pillow case will protect you from this major source of allergen, and let you sleep much more peacefully.