Dust Mites
Dust mites are microscopic animals live in your bedding, carpets and homes and cause allergies.
They are related to other mites, and ticks, in the class Arachnida, which also includes spiders, scorpions, harvestmen (daddy-longlegs), and similar eight-legged creatures.
Classification of mites is always changing, but dust mites are currently placed in the order Astigmata, family Pyroglyphidae, and genus Dermatophagoides (translates to “skin-eater”).
Dust Mite Allergies
Dust Mite Allergies are the most common type of allergy.
It’s been estimated that 70% of all allergy sufferers are allergic to dust mites.
Dust mites cause allergies by producing certain substances (allergens) that aggravate an overreaction by the immune system in some people.
While allergies in general are thus a failure of the immune system to behave itself, there is no question that dust mite allergens are widespread and aggressive, making life miserable for many people.
Treating Dust Mites
There are four general strategies for coping with dust mites and their allergens in the home:
- Avoid or reduce exposure to dust mites and their allergens as much as possible.
- Kill the dust mites.
- Neutralize dust mite allergens.
- Undergo immunotherapy to reduce immune system responses to allergens.