Do you ever feel like you can’t get rid of your allergies no matter how clean your home is? Well, you might be forgetting about dust mites, which are one of the most common allergens in your home.
These tiny creatures like warm, humid places to live, and they can cause a wide range of allergy symptoms, from sneezing and itchy eyes to more serious breathing problems.
Don’t worry though, there’s a way out! In this article, I’ll talk about dust mites, how they affect your health, and how an air purifier can make it easier for you to breathe.
Grab a tissue and let’s get started!
Understanding Dust Mites
Dust mites are tiny, bug-like pests that live in warm, humid places and feed on dead skin cells.
They are too small for us to see, and they are not parasites that bite, sting, or burrow into our bodies.
People who are allergic to dust or dust mites react to proteins in dust that come from the feces, urine, or decaying bodies of dust mites.
Dust mites can live in our homes in places like carpets, upholstered furniture, mattresses, and curtains.
In fact, dust mite allergens can be found in at least one bed in about 80% of US homes.
Impact on Health
People with asthma often have trouble breathing inside because of dust mites.
People with asthma and those who are allergic to or sensitive to mites can have health problems if they are around dust mites at home all the time.
Dust mites can cause allergy symptoms that range from mild to severe and can also cause asthma attacks.
Dust mite allergies can cause stuffy noses, watery eyes, sneezing, coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and a tight feeling in the chest.
Anyone can have an allergy to dust mites, but people with asthma, eczema, hay fever, or a history of atopy in their family are more likely to get one.
Managing Dust Mites
Use allergen-proof bed covers, keep your mattress and pillows in dustproof or allergen-blocking covers, wash your bedding once a week in hot water, clean up dust with a damp or oiled mop or rag instead of dry materials, vacuum your carpets and upholstered furniture once a week, use a HEPA filter in your vacuum cleaner, and keep the humidity in your home low.
When you stay away from dust mites as much as possible, your allergic reactions should be less severe or happen less often.
But it’s not possible to get rid of dust mites from your home completely.
Reducing Exposure
If you want to stay safe from dust mites, you might want to make changes to your home.
Keep your home’s humidity below 50 percent to cut down on it.
Air conditioning and dehumidifiers can help in places with a lot of humidity.
Get rid of any furniture with cushions or use furniture with smooth surfaces instead.
Get rid of the curtains and drapes.
Cover your mattress and pillows with things that keep allergens out.
If you make a few small changes, dust mites will start to wonder, “Do…?”
Dust mites are tiny bugs that can hurt the health of people with asthma or who are allergic to or sensitive to mites in a big way.
Even though you can’t get rid of dust mites completely, there are things you can do to manage them and keep their numbers down in your home.
By using allergen-proof bedding covers, washing your bedding once a week in hot water, vacuuming your carpets and upholstered furniture once a week, and keeping the humidity in your home low, you can reduce your exposure to dust mites and have fewer or less severe allergic reactions.
Managing Dust Mites
Managing Dust Mites with Air Purifiers
Dust mites are tiny bugs that live in house dust and can be found in every home.
They live in places where dead skin cells tend to build up, like in bedding, furniture, and carpeting.
Dust mites also like to live in rugs and stuffed toys.
Dust mites are only about 1/4 to 1/3 millimeters long, so you need a microscope to see them.
Symptoms of Dust Mite Allergy
If you have a dust allergy, you might have symptoms all year, but they might be worse in the hot, humid summer.
Dust mite allergies can cause hay fever-like symptoms like sneezing and a runny nose.
They can also cause asthma-like symptoms like wheezing and trouble breathing.
If you have allergy symptoms all year long, you might want to see a doctor to find out if you are allergic to dust mites.
Diagnosing Dust Mite Allergy
To be sure that you have an allergy to dust mites, your doctor may look at the inside of your nose with a lighted tool.
If you are allergic to something in the air, the inside of your nose will swell and may look pale or blue.
Your doctor may also think you have an allergy to dust mites if your symptoms get worse when you go to bed or when you clean, when allergens from dust mites are temporarily in the air.
You can also use a home testing kit to check for dust mites.
With these kits, you have to take a sample and send it to a lab for results, or you can use a solution on a test strip to test a sample at home.
If you get sick when you breathe in dust, that means there are dust mites in your home.
HEPA Filters for Dust Mite Allergies
A HEPA filter is a type of air filter that can get rid of at least 99.97% of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, and any other airborne particles larger than 0.3 microns.
HEPA is an acronym for “high-efficiency particulate air” filter.
HEPA filters are made of either plastic or fiberglass.
They are made up of intertwined fibers with a diameter of less than 1 micron that are twisted and turned in different directions to make a “fibrous maze.”
Most air cleaners, vacuum cleaners, and air handling units have HEPA filters.
They are good for people with asthma and allergies because they can catch small particles like pollen and dust mite feces, which can cause asthma and allergy symptoms.
Ultrafine pollutants, such as viruses and bacteria, can also be caught by HEPA filters.
HEPA Filter Regulations
There are strict rules about how to make and use HEPA filters.
In Europe, HEPA filters have to get rid of 99.95% of particles, but in the US, they only have to get rid of 99.97% of particles.
Because of the way they work, HEPA filters are very good at catching nanoparticles.
Maintenance and Replacement
All air cleaners need to have their filters cleaned and replaced every so often for them to work properly.
Follow the maintenance and replacement instructions that the maker gives you.
Depending on how often they are used, HEPA filters should be changed every 6 to 12 months.
Cleaning and maintaining air purifiers on a regular basis can help make sure they keep working well to get rid of dust mites and other allergens in the air.
HEPA Filters
HEPA Filters and Their Mechanisms
HEPA is an acronym for “high-efficiency particulate air” filter.
It is a type of pleated mechanical air filter made of either plastic (PP+PET) or fiberglass.
Theoretically, HEPA filters can get rid of at least 99.97% of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, and other airborne particles that are at least 0.3 microns (m) in size.
They are also very good at getting nanoparticles.
Particles get caught in the filter’s fibers as air moves through it, which is how HEPA filters work.
There are two ways for HEPA filters to clean the air stream.
The first is one or more outer filters that work like sieves to stop dirt, dust, and hair that is bigger than the holes.
The second part is a “contraption” made of what looks like folded paper.
The outer gauze “pre-filter” can make the inner HEPA filter last much longer.
HEPA Filters and Their Uses
HEPA filters are used in air conditioners, air cleaners, and vacuum cleaners.
They are very good at getting rid of dust, pollen, mold, certain bacteria and viruses, dust mites, PM2.5, pet dander, and a number of other solid allergens found in indoor air.
Hospitals often use HEPA filters, which are sometimes called “medical-grade” HEPA filters.
H13 HEPA filters are an advanced type of HEPA filter that can get rid of even smaller particles that are only 0.1 microns in size.
Can HEPA Filters Remove Dust Mites?
Yes, a HEPA filter can get rid of dust mites.
Dust mites are tiny bugs that can make asthma and allergy symptoms worse.
They can get into the air and move around, but a HEPA filter can get rid of them.
HEPA filters are made to catch pollution particles, and they can catch at least 99.97% of all airborne particles 0.3 microns or larger.
Dust mites are about 250 microns in size, so they are easy for a HEPA filter to catch.
Other Methods to Reduce Dust Mites
But it’s important to remember that air purifiers are not the only way to keep dust mites away.
Dust mites can get into your couch, carpet, and mattress through the tiny cracks and holes.
So, to get rid of dust mites, it’s best to use other methods, like washing bedding in hot water, putting allergen-proof covers on mattresses and pillows, and using a HEPA-filtered vacuum cleaner regularly.
Benefits of Using HEPA Filters in Air Purifiers
High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters are made to catch dust, pollen, pet dander, and smoke particles as small as 0.3 microns.
Putting a HEPA filter in an air purifier can help in many ways:
- Improved air quality: HEPA filters can remove up to 99.97% of airborne particles, improving the air quality in your home or office.
- Allergy relief: HEPA filters can capture allergens such as pollen, dust mites, and pet dander, providing relief for allergy sufferers.
- Asthma relief: HEPA filters can also capture asthma triggers such as dust, mold spores, and pet dander, providing relief for asthma sufferers.
- Improved respiratory health: By removing airborne particles, HEPA filters can improve respiratory health and reduce the risk of respiratory infections.
- Reduced odors: HEPA filters can also capture odors from cooking, pets, and other sources, improving the overall air quality in your home or office.
Replacing HEPA Filters
It’s important to remember that HEPA filters can help in many ways, but they need to be replaced often to keep working well.
How often you need to change the filter depends on how dirty the air is in your home or office and how often you use the air purifier.
How Allergic Rhinitis is Relevant to Air Purifiers and Dust Mites
Allergic rhinitis, commonly known as hay fever, is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide.
It is caused by an allergic reaction to airborne particles such as pollen, dust mites, and pet dander.
Dust mites, in particular, are a major trigger for allergic rhinitis as they thrive in warm and humid environments, such as bedding, carpets, and upholstery.
Air purifiers can help alleviate the symptoms of allergic rhinitis by removing dust mites and other allergens from the air.
HEPA filters, in particular, are highly effective in capturing even the smallest particles, including dust mite feces and body parts.
By reducing the amount of dust mites in the air, air purifiers can provide relief for those suffering from allergic rhinitis and improve overall indoor air quality.
For more information:
Allergic Rhinitis Relief: HEPA Filters & More
Maintenance
How HEPA Filters Help Reduce Dust Mites
HEPA filters are an important part of air purifiers because they catch 99% of the particles in the air, including allergens and air pollutants.
Dust mites, which are a common allergen that can be found in many homes, are especially easy for them to catch.
But the length of time a HEPA filter lasts depends on many things.
Determining When to Replace a HEPA Filter
There are a few signs to look out for to know when to replace a HEPA filter.
If the filter looks dirty or smells musty, you should get a new one.
Some air purifiers have lights that turn on when the filter needs to be changed.
Use an air quality monitor to see if the air purifier is still cleaning the air well.
This is another way to tell if the filter needs to be changed.
How long a HEPA filter lasts can also depend on what kind of filter it is and how well it is taken care of.
Some filters can be used for years, while others may need to be replaced more often.
If the filter can be washed, taking care of it can make it last longer and need to be replaced less often.
Reducing Dust Mites in Your Home
Even though HEPA filters work to cut down on dust mites, there are other ways to get rid of them in your home.
Dust mites like warm, humid places to live, so lowering the humidity in your home can help keep their numbers down.
A dehumidifier can help you lower the amount of humidity in your home.
Dust mites can also be kept at bay by keeping your home clean and free of dust.
When you vacuum your carpets, furniture, and curtains regularly, you can help get rid of dust and dust mites.
Dust mites can also be killed by washing bed sheets and other linens in hot water.
Another way to cut down on dust mites is to put allergen-proof covers on your pillows, mattresses, and box springs.
The tightly woven fabric of these covers keeps dust mites from getting into your bedding and making a home there.
Getting rid of clutter can also help cut down on dust mites. Clutter gives dust a place to gather, which can bring in dust mites.
In short, you can reduce the number of dust mites in your home by lowering the humidity, keeping your home clean and dust-free, using allergen-proof covers, and getting rid of clutter.
Even though HEPA filters are good at catching dust mites, they should be used with other methods to keep their numbers down.
Keeping HEPA filters in good shape can also make them last longer and work better.
Conclusion
Dust mites are a common allergen that can cause everything from sneezing and coughing to more serious breathing problems.
There are many ways to cut down on dust mites, but for people with allergies, buying an air purifier can make a huge difference.
But before you run out to buy one, it’s important to keep in mind that not all air purifiers are the same.
Some may be better at getting rid of dust mites than others, and some may even make things like ozone that are bad for you.
So, if you are thinking about getting an air purifier, do your research and choose one that is made to get rid of dust mites.
Look for models with HEPA filters and think about how big the room will be where you’ll use it.
Buying an air purifier is a great way to improve the quality of the air inside your home and reduce your exposure to dust mites.
But don’t forget that it’s only one part of the puzzle.
Dust mites can be kept away by cleaning often, washing bedding in hot water, and getting rid of extra stuff.
So, if you have allergies, use an air purifier to get rid of them and make it easier to breathe.
But don’t forget to treat your allergies as a whole and make changes to your environment to reduce your exposure to allergens.
It will be good for your health and well-being.
Links and references
- “Dust Mite Allergy” book available on NCBI Bookshelf
- Article on NCBI InformedHealth.org about dust mite allergies
- References to other research articles on the topic (in the book and article)
My article on the topic:
