Introduction
House dust mites are tiny insects that live indoors and feed off dust, pollen, and human skin cells.
House dust mites will do around 20 poos or droppings daily to get rid of waste. These droppings contain proteins that cause allergic reactions in humans.
House dust mites live in humid areas and are found on soft furnishings like:
- bedding
- carpets
- clothing
- curtains
- soft toys.
House dust mite allergies are very common and can also be linked to conditions like:
Signs and symptoms
Allergic reactions to house dust mites can cause symptoms including:
- hay fever
- wheezing or difficulty breathing
- coughing
- itchy, runny nose
- itchy, watery eyes
- rashes on the skin.
Children with conditions like eczema and asthma may find that contact with house dust mites can make their symptoms worse.
Diagnosis
A specialist doctor can diagnose a house dust mite allergy based on your child’s:
- medical history
- signs and symptoms
- result from allergy tests.
Treatment
Your child's doctor will find the best possible treatment for their allergy based on their individual health needs.
In most cases, this will include strategies to lower the amount of house dust mite droppings in the home.
Management
House dust mites and cleaning
You may need to carefully change how your home is cleaned to help your child avoid exposure to house dust mites and their droppings.
This can include:
- washing all soft furnishings at least every eight weeks at a temperature of 60 degrees Celsius, including:
- mattress and mattress cover
- doona
- quilt
- sheets
- pillow covers
- soft toys
- curtains.
- using products like mattress protectors that completely cover the mattress and are advertised to resist dust mites and allergies
- vacuuming carpets regularly
- vacuuming rugs and removable floor coverings regularly, outside if possible
- reducing the number of soft furnishings in the home, like:
- fabric covered chairs
- soft toys
- decorative pillows
- decorative rugs.
- using a damp or electrostatic cloth to wipe away dust from furniture and shelves.
There is no proven way to completely remove the risk of house dust mites from the home.
Speak to your child’s doctor about managing house dust mites before removing things like soft toys and furnishings.