House dust mite

The house dust mite gets its name from its habitat - household dust. The main component of dust is shed skin flakes, which is the mite’s preferred food source. Areas around the home that are heavily used, such as beds and upholstered furniture, will have much higher mite populations than the rest of the house.

The most common type of dust mite found in Australian homes is Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, which tends to prefer coastal rather than inland areas. This mite has been associated with dermatological and respiratory allergies in humans, such as eczema and asthma. However, there is no single, definitive sign that house dust mites trigger a person’s allergy symptoms. Asthma, for example, can be triggered by a range of other indoor allergens such as fungi (moulds) or animal dander (dander is fluff from hair, fur or feathers).

Symptoms of allergic reaction to house dust mites
House dust mites can trigger respiratory or dermatological conditions including asthma and eczema. Symptoms can include:

• Wheezing
• Coughing
• Breathlessness
• A tight feeling in the chest
• Runny nose
• Itchy nose
• Itchy eyes
• Itchy skin
• Skin rashes.

• Less than half a millimetre in length, which makes it hard to see with the naked eye.
• Wingless.
• Oval shaped body.
• Light coloured body with fine stripes.
• Life span of around two months or so, depending on the conditions.

• Mattresses and bed linen
• Upholstered furniture
• Shag-pile or long-fibred carpets
• Soft toys.

• Cover mattress, pillow and quilt with dust mite resistant covers. The covers must be washed every two months. Some health funds may provide a rebate for these items.
• Wash sheets and pillowcases weekly in water hotter than 55°C. Alternatively, if washing in cold water, use a commercial product containing essential oils, like eucalyptus or tea tree oil.
• Hot tumble dry (for half an hour after dry) or dry clean household items - this will kill house dust mites but not the allergen they produce.
• Wash blankets and non-encased doonas every two months.
• Use synthetic rather than feather pillows and doonas, as these tolerate regular washing.
• Remove sheepskin or woollen underlays and any other sheepskin products.
• Remove all soft toys from the bedroom and replace with wooden or plastic toys, which can be washed. Or, if a soft toy is allowed, it should be washed weekly using the same method used for sheets. (Freezing soft toys overnight does not work because it doesn’t remove allergen).
• Damp dust or use electrostatic cloths to clean hard surfaces weekly, rather than a feather duster.
• Reduce humidity - have a dry and well-ventilated house. Have adequate floor and wall insulation and avoid evaporative coolers.
• Avoid upholstered furniture - leather, vinyl, plastic and wood are best.
• Windows - venetian blinds or flat blinds are better than heavy curtains. Washable curtains or external shutters are other options.
• Wash clothing before use if it has been stored for a long time.
• Remove carpets, rugs and mats (where practical and affordable) - bare boards and tiled floors are preferable as they can be damp mopped or cleaned with electrostatic cloths.
• Wash rugs and mats regularly and dry them outside in full sunshine (if possible).
• Vacuum weekly, including the seams of mattresses and upholstered furniture. Vacuuming causes house dust mite allergens to become airborne for up to 20 minutes, so if you are allergic to dust mites, you should wear a mask or ask someone else to vacuum. You may air the house for an hour or so after vacuum cleaning to help clear the air.

• Chemical sprays
• Air filters
• Electric blankets
• Negative ion generators
• Allergen-free products.

• Your doctor
• Asthma Victoria Tel. 1800 645 130

• The house dust mite gets its name from its habitat - household dust.
• The house dust mite has been associated with a range of respiratory and dermatological allergies.
• If you are allergic to house dust mites, it may help to reduce their population, and remove their dead bodies and faeces from your home as much as possible.
• You may also need to consider dealing with other allergens in your home to which you may be sensitive. For example, pet owners may need to keep their pets out of doors.

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