Sleeping
with the Enemy
by Julie Henningfield
House
dust mites are tiny creatures that essentially feed off dead skin cells
routinely shed from humans and their animal pets. Common lounging areas,
often-used furniture, carpeted areas within these realms and mattresses
play host to large numbers of these microscopic bugs. Skin cells and
scales, commonly called dander, entice the mites to stay in these areas.
Some fun facts:
A regular run-of-the-mill mattress is home to thousands of dust mites
... and 100,000 of their friends can inhabit one square yard of carpet.
Ready for more? A single dust mite produces about 20 waste droppings
each day, each containing a protein to which many individuals are allergic.
The combination of feces and skin sheddings contribute to allergic reactions
in humans. And finally, one last tidbit of enlightenment, unlike other
types of mites, house dust mites are not parasites, since they only
eat dead tissue.
Where do they spend their time?
Well, they spend their time in the same place you spend most of yours
(about a third of your life), in your mattress. Beds are the focal stomping
grounds for dust mites. Can you stomach this - a common used mattress
may house anywhere from 100,000 to 10 million mites inside. That two-year
old pillow that you lay your head on every night may be composed of
dead mites and their droppings - comprising 10 percent of the weight
of the pillow. The inside of a mattress is heaven for mites because
they prefer warm, moist surroundings. While they are snuggling inside
your mattress, they are noshing on dander from you and your pet.
Can they hurt me?
While they are disgusting, house dust mites are not actually harmful.
However, the medical significance of house dust mites arises because
their microscopic cast skins and feces are a major ingredient of house
dust that triggers allergic reactions in some people.
Taking control
Focus your
efforts on controlling dust. Reduce the concentration of dust-borne
allergens in the living environment by controlling both allergen production
and the dust which serves to transport it.
For the bedroom
environment:
* Enclose
the mattress top and sides with a plastic cover or other dust mite impervious
cover. Thoroughly vacuum mattress pillows and the base of the bed. An
airtight plastic or polyurethane cover for your mattress may virtually
eliminate the mites closest to you.
* According
to the nation's largest Craftsman-Direct mattress retailer, Verlo Mattress
Factory Stores, the best thing you can do is to throw out a mattress
after eight to 10 years. Franchisor John Henry recommends choosing a
mattress that is infused with Talalay Latex, citing that latex does
not promote a favorable environment for dust mites.
* Wash those
sheets and blankets every two weeks in hot water. The water used should
be at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit. Set your washing machine to its
hottest setting.
* Don't forget
to wash the children's stuffed animals. As cute and fuzzy as they are,
they also harbor these microscopic creatures.
You may not
be able to conquer all of these creatures, but taking some of these
preventive measures certainly will help!
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Julie_Henningfield
http://EzineArticles.com/?Sleeping-with-the-Enemy&id=438760
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