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Kent Faddis
TV News Producer
573-882-5361
faddisk@umsystem.edu
Published: Aug. 2, 2007
Story Source: Marsha Alexander, 816-482-5850; Dr. Al Barrier, 573-882-8173
Editor's Note: Accompanying video sound bites and b-roll are available for viewing or download at http://umsystem.edu/video.
Dust mites: where they live and how to avoid them
COLUMBIA, Mo. - As humidity increases during the summer months, so does the presence of dust mites. The invisible mites are second only to pollen in creating allergic reactions ranging from sneezing, itchy noses to severe asthma attacks.
University of Missouri-Columbia student Deanna Boggs has problems with allergies; recently she had an asthma attack. She didn't start having allergies until high school.
"Just the past two years probably I've had the chest tightness, where I really feel like I can't breathe. I just started using an inhaler this year, and it's really helped a lot," said Boggs.
"Someone with asthma can breathe in, but they can't breathe back out, so they're wheezing to get the air back out," said Dr. Al Barrier, ear, nose and throat specialist with University of Missouri Health Care. "It can be very frightening, and it can trap air in the lungs to the point that all the oxygen gets depleted."
Tiny organisms in your home can trigger asthma problems. They are called dust mites, and they thrive in warm and humid conditions.
Marsha Alexander, MU Extension housing and environmental design specialist, recommends purchasing a relative humidity gauge to monitor inside humidity levels.
"We suggest that we keep our relative humidity between 35 and 55 percent," said Alexander. "The research shows that when the relative humidity in the home goes to 60 percent or higher you are going to have increased problems with dust mites."
Dust mites often are found where people spend a lot of their time. A dust mite's waste products will gather in mattresses and pillows.
"A mattress will gain 30 percent more weight over 10 years from dust mite waste if it's not encased in plastic. People with that kind of allergy really need to change their bedding often," said Barrier.
Depending on its age, a used mattress may have from 100,000 to 10 million dust mites. Alexander suggested washing bedding at least weekly in hot water at 130 degrees.
Dust mites also live in carpets and upholstery. People with allergies should avoid using curtains, drapes or fabric blinds on windows. Use plastic shades instead. Remove carpeting, and replace it with tile or wooden floors. Vacuum often, and replace the bag frequently.
For more information about dust mites, visit the MU Extension Web site, www.extension.missouri.edu.
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| Marsha Alexander, University of Missouri Extension housing and environmental design specialist, encases her pillows in plastic protectors to avoid problems with dust mites. Photo credit: MU Photo by Kent Faddis |
