House dust mites are arachnids, not insects - they are related to spiders. They are microscopic, eight legged creatures, 0.3mm in length, and invisible to the human eye.
House dust mites are found in virtually all homes, no matter how clean. They live in the dust that accumulates in carpets, fabrics, furniture and bedding.
The average bed can be infested by millions of microscopic mites - by far the highest concentration anywhere in the home. The bed is where we spend around one third of our lives - so we are in close and prolonged contact with the dust mites.
The house dust mites survive by eating our dead skin cells, which make up to 80% of house dust. They also live off water vapour, which we provide for them through perspiring and breathing - approximately one pint per person per night.
The development of the house dust mite from an egg to an adult takes just three to four weeks. Adults live for about six weeks, during which time the females each produce forty to eighty eggs.
It is not the mites themselves, though, that cause the problems - the allergen which causes asthma attacks and other problems is actually a protein found in their droppings.
A mite will produce 20 faecal pellets per day - that is 200 times its own body weight in faeces during it's short lifetime. With millions of mites living in one bed, this means there are vast amounts of droppings there. 20% of a pillow's weight can be made up of house dust mites and their droppings. These levels mean that virtually all mite-sensitive people will experience problems as a direct result of the mites and their droppings in mattresses, pillows and duvets.
Research shows that during one night's sleep most people toss and turn up to 60 or 70 times - meaning that mite droppings are frequently expelled into the air from bedding. Researchers have also discovered that the allergens can then stay in the air for up to 24 hours. In the air, dried dust mite droppings are easily inhaled into our airways - thus causing allergic reactions in asthmatics. The allergen can even cause wheezing, coughing, itchy eyes, and sniffles in those of us without asthma, eczema and allergic rhinitis.
One of the most effective ways to protect yourself from allergic reactions caused by Dust Mite is to take MSM.
The statements and products in this article have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.
call toll Free 1-800-639-8796
email: msm@kombuchapower.com
Last updated: Thursday, April 19, 2001 02:51 PM
