Dust mites

If you ask anyone: "What do you breathe at home?", the most common answer will undoubtedly be: "Air, what else!" But it is precisely this - what else - that is the very essence of the problem.

After all, no matter how carefully and diligently you clean the premises regularly, devoting a lot of time to it every day, it is not possible to achieve absolute cleanliness and get rid of all dust particles. This is prevented by the furniture set in the room, kitchen furniture, built-in cabinets, etc., removing dust from all hard-to-reach places can be very problematic. There is no need to remind you once again that house dust can contain many allergens. It contains small fragments of various fibers, fungal spores - yeast and mold, there are cells of dead epidermis of humans and animals, waste products left by small insects. At the same time, dust can contain various living organisms, including dust mites.

These creatures - saprophytes dermatophagoides pteronyssimus - have been constant uninvited guests in people's homes for hundreds of years. It is assumed that they were initially brought into the premises where people live, along with feathers and down of poultry, and also with agricultural products. The fact that house dust is a habitat for mites has been known for certain since 1964, when Dutch and Japanese researchers confirmed their presence in dust samples collected from various houses. Currently, the classification of all kinds of identified dust mites includes about 150 of their species.

Dust mites are tiny, so small that they cannot be seen without special optical devices. They do not come into direct contact with humans, cannot bite or suck blood. Also, these mites do not act as carriers of any diseases. The main negative point in connection with their existence, however, is that they are the main household allergen.

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What do dust mites look like?

So, what are dust mites and what do they look like? A separate specimen of this creature is an insect of the arachnid class (Arachnida), which has an unsegmented body with microscopic dimensions. The length of the body, as a rule, is within 0.1-0.5 millimeters. The dust mite has the appearance of the most ordinary spider. On each of the four pairs of limbs of this creature there are peculiar suckers, with which the dust mite is able to firmly attach to the surface. For this reason, a vacuum cleaner is not an assistant in getting rid of these main household sources of allergies. In addition, the body of such mites is covered with a water-repellent layer, due to which they can easily pass through drops of water, and therefore, in order to wash them off, you need to use a solution of water and soap during cleaning.

Dust mites have mouthparts that can vary depending on their method of feeding.

Dust mites can be classified into three main groups. First of all, we need to name the pyrroglyphid mites themselves, as well as some of their species of barn mites. The second group includes predatory mites that eat representatives of the first group. And finally, those mites that could have been accidentally brought in from outside. The latter are not prone to reproduction and increase in their population in people's homes.

To understand what dust mites look like, you need to use a microscope. These organisms, invisible to the naked eye, are saprophytes that eat dead organic matter.

Where do dust mites live?

Dust mites belong to the category of synanthropic organisms, which means "living together with humans". Optimal conditions for their life activity are air temperatures from 22 to 26 degrees Celsius and humidity levels exceeding 55%.

The main places in people's homes where dust mites live are bedrooms, where they prefer to settle in beds, sofas, and bed linen. They are present in old mattresses, blankets filled with cotton wool, and pillows with natural bird feathers. These bedding items are often real dust collectors. Mites of this type are generally found in dust accumulations. The ideal place for them in this regard is the bag in the vacuum cleaner, where there is everything necessary for their comfortable existence: darkness (and sunlight is extremely undesirable for them), low humidity, and a fairly high temperature.

The main food source for dust mites is dead skin cells of people, and every day a person loses about one and a half grams of skin scales. Dust mites also eat the lint of woolen blankets, rugs, upholstery and carpets. They also accumulate on baseboards, on bookcases, in house shoes, etc.

Dust mites form colonies in quantities of 10-10,000 individuals in 1 gram of dust. Basically, their concentration is about 100/1 g. However, there is a tendency for their numbers to increase during the period August-October. Up to 100 mites inclusively in one gram of dust is safe for humans, but with an increase in their concentration, the likelihood that allergic reactions may occur increases accordingly.

When a person has an allergy, and it is established with certainty that its provoking factor is household dust, where dust mites live, the start of treatment should be preceded by sanitary and hygienic measures to clean the premises.

Symptoms

Symptoms of dust mites are primarily reflected in negative phenomena that occur in the respiratory system, as well as affecting the upper epithelial layer of the skin.

Characteristic manifestations are:

A condition of nasal congestion, accompanied by a large amount of nasal discharge and frequent sneezing.

The mucous membranes in the eyes become irritated, which leads to redness of the eyes and severe lacrimation. Conjunctivitis is possible.

The development of a dry cough and wheezing in the chest is observed.

Respiratory processes may be difficult due to severe shortness of breath and suffocation.

On some skin surfaces, irritations with redness and rashes may occur. Hives may appear.

As a very serious allergic reaction to dust mites, symptoms of bronchial asthma can appear. A severe allergy manifests itself in a specific reaction of the respiratory tract in its lower sections. Breathing is difficult, inhalation is often accompanied by wheezing or a coughing fit. Such manifestations often occur during physical exertion, when the breathing processes are activated, or after significant exertion.

Long-term allergy to dust mites is accompanied by a continuous inflammatory process in the nasal mucosa. Nasal congestion is constant and sneezing occurs in episodic attacks.

When any of the above symptoms are observed and it can be assumed that these are symptoms of dust mites, it is necessary to go to an allergist for a consultation. The specialist will be able to make a diagnosis based on a conversation with the patient and special allergy testing.

Dust mite on face

In addition to living in dusty environments in hard-to-clean areas of the room and in bed linen (for which reason it is also called a bed mite), dust mites can live on a person’s face and hair.

Since this mite feeds on the epidermis, and a person exfoliates up to several tens of millions of skin flakes daily, plus a fairly high temperature - all this meets the required favorable conditions for its vital activity. There is an active reproduction of these organisms, which occupy hair follicles, sebaceous glands and their ducts in the scalp and on the skin of the face. The foci of dust mite distribution on the face are found at the corners of the lips, in the area below the wings of the nose, on the nasal septum and above the upper lip. Sometimes there may also be the presence of mites on the skin of the forehead, cheeks and eyelids.

In order to get rid of the disease demodicosis caused by dust mites (mite - Demodex) it may take from two to three months. During this period, a course of treatment is usually carried out using antiparasitic and exfoliating procedures, cryogenic effects of liquid nitrogen, and the use of strong ointments. Ointments are prescribed 5-10% sulfur, with 6% hydrochloric acid, and sodium thiosulfate. The list of prescriptions also includes powders, rubbing with sulfur-tar alcohol. To avoid allergies, antihistamine drugs are also advisable. Therapeutic measures, both aimed at preventing unwanted changes in the acid-base balance, and aimed at strengthening the walls of blood vessels. In some cases, the possibility of treatment with antibiotics is not excluded. It is necessary to pay due attention to planning a diet. It should be gentle and exclude fried, fatty, spicy and salty foods.

A dust mite on the face is quite an unpleasant phenomenon and treatment measures against it are aimed at, firstly, expelling the parasite, and secondly, restoring the healthy condition of the skin of the face that has suffered from its adverse effects. In order to prevent the return of this problem, it is also necessary to carry out general disinfestation, boil all bed linen.

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Dust Mite Bites

Many people may experience characteristic bumps on the skin with redness and itching in connection with dust mites. It is widely believed that this is caused by dust mite bites. However, this belief is not entirely true, or rather, it has absolutely no basis. These extremely small organisms are not capable of causing any mechanical damage to human skin in the form of a bite with such force that it could be felt. Adult dust mites reach a size of no more than a quarter of a millimeter and cannot be seen with the naked eye. To do this, you need to use a microscope with a magnification of up to four dozen times.

Thus, dust mites do not bite, and all negative manifestations caused as a consequence of their impact on humans come from fecal pellets secreted by them during their life activity. Such secretions weighing less than 2 ten-thousandths of a gram, forming clusters, are capable of easily rising into the air together with dust. Being in such a suspended state, they settle on the skin and can appear in the respiratory tract. As a result, all sorts of allergic reactions can develop, accompanied by corresponding symptoms.

Allergies of almost all kinds can occur due to dust mites, but they are not caused by dust mite bites, but by their excrement along with dust particles getting into the respiratory system and on the skin of people. Allergies that arise from the presence of mites in household dust, in addition to being a very unpleasant phenomenon, can be quite dangerous for humans. Based on this, if any of the permanent residents in the house have allergy symptoms and it is confirmed that it is caused by dust mites, it is necessary to immediately take measures to eliminate their, the mites, presence.

Dust mites in pillows

Dust mites in pillows can be present as one of the representatives of the whole ecosystem that can take place in bedding. Such mites choose as a habitat those pillows and blankets, the fillers of which are natural bird feathers or animal down. All over the world, pillows filled with natural feathers or down are almost no longer used. However, synthetic pillow materials cannot give a 100% guarantee that they will not contain these mites. Contrary to popular belief, these organisms are also able to settle down quite well in synthetics - in silicone fibers, synthetic padding, chlorfiber. In a mattress that has not been specially treated for three years of use, its contents can consist of dust mites along with their larvae and excrement by one tenth.

Of course, to prevent the appearance of such a problem as dust mites in the bed, the best measure can be a regular change of pillows, mattresses and bed linen. On the other hand, an excellent preventive measure can be the use of mattresses, pillows and blankets with special fillers, in which dust mites cannot live.

As an example, we will cite pillows, also called bio-pillows, filled with buckwheat husk. They are highly hygienic, do not become clogged with dust, and also provide an environment unsuitable for all kinds of parasites. Such pillows, among other things, have hypoallergenic and orthopedic properties.

100% cotton and natural wool used as filler help repel various allergens. Such hypoallergenic pillows require the simplest care, since they are sealed, which eliminates the penetration of dust and parasites. All that is necessary is to change the pillowcases after every few weeks and wash in lukewarm water with non-aggressive detergents.

Pillows with bamboo fibers are often used, which have a natural antibacterial, antistatic and deodorizing effect. Bamboo contains a natural antiseptic that prevents the proliferation of parasitic organisms and bacteria. And what is characteristic is that even when such a pillow has been washed repeatedly, such properties of bamboo pillows continue to be preserved.

Dust mites in pillows happen even if you wash and dry your pillows thoroughly and can remind you of their existence. The problem is that even if you manage to get rid of the adult mites, the larvae may remain. In hospitals, as a rule, the method of treating bed linen with an autoclave is used to eliminate dust mites.

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Dust Mite Allergy

Allergy to dust mites can be caused by a characteristic seasonal change in the number of these organisms in household dust, which varies from region to region. These organisms reach their maximum population size mainly from late August to early October. The underlying factor in the development of such an allergic reaction in connection with dust mites is also the existing indoor microclimate.

In a concentration of more than one and a half to two thousand in one gram of household dust, dust mites are able to provoke both the development of allergies and lead to a number of diseases in a wide range from a chronic runny nose to asthma. A particularly high risk of an allergic reaction in dust allergy sufferers is caused by the presence of these mites in an amount of more than a hundred of their units in 1 gram of dust, and as their concentration increases above 500, this can act as a cause of an attack of bronchial asthma.

Therefore, before prescribing treatment for such a phenomenon as dust mite allergy, it is necessary to determine their concentration in 1 gram of dust, and if there are more than 100, a complete sanitary and hygienic treatment of the premises is required.

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Why are dust mites dangerous?

Dust mites are saprophytes, that is, they belong to the category of those organisms that, under normal conditions, peacefully coexist with another creature, in this case, with humans. Moreover, such coexistence, on the one hand, does not bring any benefit to people, and on the other hand, the dust mite is not able to exert any noticeable harmful effect. With this in mind, the question naturally arises - in this case, how are dust mites dangerous?

The main negative factor that can occur as a result of a person coming into contact with the presence of this creature is, first of all, that dust mites in house dust are its component, which has allergenic properties. As an allergen for a certain number of people, both the end product of the vital activity of these organisms (their feces) and fragments of the destroyed chitinous shell of dead individuals can act. The composition of the mite secretions contains digestive enzymes: proteins Der f1 and Der p1, which provoke the destruction of human skin cells, the appearance of allergies and inflammation of the skin. All these microscopic particles are suspended in the air and are characterized by a fairly long settling time. Due to this, it is not at all difficult for them to end up in the human respiratory tract, where they produce the effect of an allergenic irritant.

The consequences of the human body's reaction to the allergic effect of dust mites can be the periodic appearance of a runny nose, which over time can degenerate into a state of chronic nasal congestion; the occurrence of itching; inflammatory processes in the intestines; the appearance of dermatitis, including seborrheic dermatitis, which is accompanied by acne, eczema; lacrimation; the development of allergic asthma. In addition, as for the respiratory system, as a consequence of the long-term action produced by dust mites, acute respiratory viral diseases and infections, acute bronchitis and tracheobronchitis occur.

Thus, summing up all the dangers of dust mites, we note that these are, first of all, all kinds of allergic reactions to the ingress of house dust, in which these organisms are contained, onto the skin and into the respiratory tract. And over the course of one day, the number of dust particles settling on the mucous membranes of the respiratory organs can reach up to 6 billion. Together with them, the waste products of dust mites penetrate into the blood and subsequently into the tissues of the organs. More than three quarters of all the resources of the immune system are directed every day to neutralizing the negative effects of these dust particles. But the reserves of human immunity are not endless.

Dust mite under a microscope

A dust mite becomes visible under a microscope only with 30-40x magnification. The maximum size of such a mite never reaches a size greater than 0.3 millimeters. The average length of the bodies of representatives of these organisms living in house dust is 250-300 microns. With these sizes, their number in the bed linen of a double bed can be equal to two million.

The development of allergic reactions from dust mites does not occur as a result of their bites, since they do not bite either people or animals. The decisive factor in allergies to house dust is the presence of dust mite feces in it. The size of fecal balls is 10-40 microns. They accumulate in the dust that is in the air in the room and does not settle for 10 to 20 minutes.

This organism is a very common invisible uninvited cohabitant of a person, and ridding the house of its presence can present certain difficulties, since the dust mite becomes visible under a microscope and in no other way. Moreover, the suction cups on its paws allow it to cling to various surfaces. Therefore, it is often not easy to remove a dust mite. And it, in turn, can present a considerable problem for allergy sufferers and asthmatics.

Fighting dust mites

In most cases, dust mite control does not result in complete and permanent elimination of dust mites, but there are a number of effective measures that can help reduce the concentration of these organisms in house dust, the main sources of household allergies.

Since the optimal conditions for dust mites are incompatible with low temperatures, a person can turn this factor to his own advantage. In winter, bedding - mattresses, blankets, pillows, as well as carpets, outerwear, soft toys - should be frozen outside. This can cause significant devastation in the ranks of dust mites, and in addition, it will cause the death of their egg-laying.

The effect of ultraviolet radiation from the summer sun is no less effective in terms of exterminating dust mites.

Reducing the concentration of these harmful creatures is achieved as a result of regular wet cleaning in all rooms with a salt solution in a ratio of 5-10 spoons of salt to a bucket of water.

A vacuum cleaner with an aquafilter can be an excellent assistant in the fight against dust mites, and in addition, washing vacuum cleaners. It should be noted separately that a regular vacuum cleaner without such special devices and functions cannot cope with this causative agent of household allergies. Dust mite eggs and feces, due to their microscopic size, are not retained by vacuum cleaner filters, moreover, they can be sprayed throughout the entire volume of the room.

It is possible to completely kill all dust mites present in bed linen together with their offspring if you wash your linen regularly at a temperature of over 65 degrees, using modern detergents. Nowadays, washing machines provide the opportunity to wash pillows and blankets, and soft toys, helping to effectively clean things from the unwanted presence of dust mites.

Since large accumulations of dust mite excrement form in mattresses and pillows over time, it is recommended to start using a new pillow and mattress after every 5-7 years.

Perhaps the best way to combat dust mites is to maintain a constant low humidity level of below 40 percent and regularly ventilate the room. The first benefit of this can be a general improvement in health, a decrease in the severity of allergic symptoms, and on the other hand, it will create conditions unfavorable for the existence of dust mites. There are also certain drugs that have an effect for one or several months, but they should be used with caution and strictly follow the instructions.

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Acaricidal agents

So, dust mites are present in indoor dust accumulations – this is a fact. The fight against these harmful organisms is mainly reduced to preventing their population from growing further to the level of concentration when they begin to pose a threat to humans, causing an increased risk of all kinds of allergic reactions.

Today, all sorts of products have been developed that, on the one hand, help bind allergens and, on the other hand, destroy mites. These are the so-called acaricidal products against dust mites, which are active substances specially created to eliminate these creatures.

Acaricides can be based on both chemical and plant components. The latter also include substances that produce the effect of stopping the tick's ability to develop into an adult and reproduce offspring.

One of the latest developments in this area is the Allergoff acaricide, designed specifically to kill dust mites. The effectiveness of this product is achieved by combining all the advantages of herbal remedies with the intense action of chemical preparations, as well as with biological control methods for the growth of the mite population. Using the spray once is guaranteed to kill dust mites at all stages of their life cycle for more than six months in bedding, carpets, and upholstered furniture treated with it.

Read more about dust mite sprays here.

Allergoff is also available as an acaricidal additive used to eliminate allergens during washing.

Acaril is one of the washing additives that has acaricidal properties.

MITE-NIX is a tick treatment and allergen remover.

Acaricidal agents against dust mites begin to act immediately after their application, and their effect lasts for one to two months. But the use of such agents requires great caution, since the preparations contain suffacants.

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