If you are allergic to dust, you're most likely not allergic to the dust itself but to the dust and dust mites. What is a house mite? They are teeny microscopic creatures that are too small for humans to see with the naked eye and 30% of the general population is shown to be allergic to them.
So, what do mite bites look like? They cause rashes and other allergic symptoms due to their corpses and bodily waste. Here's how to identify:
If you notice small red bites on your skin, there’s a good chance mites are the culprits. One of the first reactions to mite bites is itching, which can begin shortly after they bite and burrow into the skin. Victims may see clusters of small red bumps, which can resemble pimples or blisters.
Mite bites commonly appear on areas like the wrists, ankles, and skin folds, but they can bite anywhere on the body. The itching usually subsides within a few days, but the red bumps may take 1-2 weeks to fully heal.
Common Symptoms of Mite Bites
Intense itching and irritation at the bite site.
A strong urge to scratch, which can last for several days, potentially disrupting sleep.
Discoloration of the skin around the bite.
Small, red bumps that may appear in clusters.
Most people experience symptoms within hours after being bitten by mites.
Here is what to do for mite bites.
1. Citrus Seed Extract
Consume and apply citrus seed extracts to the affected skin region. Citrus seed extracts are made from the seeds, pulp, and white membranes of various citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, limes, or grapefruit.
The citrus seed extract is a natural anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory which not only lessens the swelling and irritation of the rashes. Their antioxidant property helps protect the body from harmful free radicals that could further aggravate the skin conditions and also acts as a dust mite repellent.
2. Holy Basil
Tulsi also known as holy basil is a known natural anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, and astringent and has been used in traditional Indian ayurvedic medicine for centuries. A combination of these properties helps reduce the frequency of allergic symptoms to dust mites.
Distill the basil extract and make an herbal drink via boiling. Sipping on this herbal drink greatly provides relief from dust mite allergy symptoms and as well as reduces the inflammation in the body. what is house dust mites
Aloe Vera is considered the queen of medical herbs by ancient Indian healers due to their anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antiseptic, and skin-soothing properties which can help in a wide range of circumstances including the symptoms of dust mite allergies and any skin issues they cause.
Thanks to the aloin contained in this herb, it will help reduce swelling of nasal passages and irritation or redness around the eyes as well as acne breakouts that occur from allergies. Not everyone will have this severe of a symptom of dust mites.
4. Turmeric
Turmeric is a root tuber belonging to the ginger family and a medicinal herb commonly used in Indian cuisine cooking as an earthy seasoning as well as traditional medicine. Their anti-inflammatory properties have been used to treat various skin infections including those of dust mite allergy and hay fever.
Make a paste of turmeric powder with rose water or aloe vera gel and apply it directly to the affected area on top of reducing itching, and brightening the skin. You should also consider drinking turmeric milk with honey to boost your immunity.
5. Liquorice Root
Liquorice has been used as a natural remedy for centuries to treat various ailments as a European traditional medicine or a housewife's home remedy. The roots of these herbs are anti-inflammatory and can also help alleviate some of the symptoms of dust mite allergy and hay fever.
Even if you don't have any mite allergies, keep them handy because liquorice roots can also be used as a home remedy for digestive problems, menopausal symptoms, cough, sore throat, and bacterial or viral infections.
Since turmeric, a root in the aromatic perennial ginger root herbal family has a wide array of beneficial medicinal properties, it should come as no surprise that the main root of the zingiberaceae family is also a root that has been used in herbal medicine by different cultures for centuries.
Aside from currently being used in cosmetic products, perfumes, and even as an insect repellent, ginger has been proven to help with dust mite allergies due to their anti-inflammatory properties against inflammation caused by dust mite allergy.
7. Garlic
Continuing the trend of speaking of herbal underground root vegetables with medicinal properties, we also have garlic. Garlic is a natural antibacterial and antiviral agent which can also be used as a decongestant and an expectorant.
Due to their antiseptic properties, garlic treats acne, bronchitis, and cold sores. Since some people can suffer from breathing difficulties from dust mites via nasal congestion and excessive phlegm and mucus production, using garlic as a decongesting expectorant can significantly help your comfort.
8. Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus oil is a medicinal essential oil that can be used as an alternative remedy in the absence of the aforementioned medical underground root herbs. The oil has anti-inflammatory and expectorant properties just like garlic and can be useful for cough, cold, and flu regardless of allergy to dust mites.
Furthermore, eucalyptus oil also creates a cooling effect on the body which helps in relieving irritation to the respiratory system. You can either take this herbal essential oil orally or apply it topically directly onto the affected rashy regions of the skin
At this point, you shouldn't be surprised to see mentions of chamomile in any of our blogs related to pests and diseases as it is one of the most widely researched herbs used to treat stress, anxiety, and a wide variety of other problems such as inflammation, skin conditions.
The other aspect of chamomile oil extract that makes it popular for pest and disease blogs is its incredible insect-repellent ability also means that you can use it on your skin as well as your bed to repel dust mites.
10. Peppermint Oil
If you don't have access to chamomile, you could supplement it with peppermint oil which can help you make your breathing easier and help you sleep better on top of reducing your itch and congestion caused by dust mite allergies.
The best way to use peppermint oil is by adding a few drops of it directly onto your skin. Alternatively, you can also use this oil proactively on pillows and carpets right before bedtime to get rid of dust mites.
11. Tree Tea Oil
Another essential oil that we can recommend for dealing with dust mites is tree tea oil. The oil has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties which reduce swelling, and irritation, and prevent infection on the skin from dust allergy.
Furthermore, this oil can also kill mites and be used as a repellent. Therefore, for topical use on the skin, you should dilute tree tea oil with a carrier oil such as coconut or olive before using it. Avoid ingestion of tree tea oil as it can be toxic if swallowed.
Suppose you are particularly susceptible to dust mites allergy. In that case, you can use a neti pot or a similar apparatus to pour warm water through your nasal cavity to flush thickened mucus and irritants from your sinuses.
If possible use a saline solution and a neti pot with a filter that is 1 micron or smaller. Read up on instructions on how to use the neti pot effectively and remember to rinse the neti pot with uncontaminated water after use.
How To Prevent Mites?
If you don't like having to constantly deal with the symptoms of dust mite allergies then we recommend taking proactive measures to prevent having your house and bedding infested with dust mites. Here are some measures that are guaranteed to work.
1. Wash Bedding Regularly
Wash your bedding regularly. The majority of the dust mites that cause you ailments are found in your bedding. Wash all the sheets, blankets, pillowcases, and bedcovers in hot water of 130°F (54°C) to kill dust mites.
Alternatively, you could put the items in the dryer for at least 15 minutes at a temperature above the same temperature then wash and dry the bedding. Maintain this cleaning routine weekly to create a healthier sleeping environment free from these unpleasant bugs.
2. Use Allergen-Proof Covers
After cleaning your bedding, we also highly recommend you purchase dust and allergen-proof bed covers. These covers are made of tightly woven fabric and prevent dust mites from entering or escaping from your mattress or pillows.
These covers not only create a protective barrier against dust mites but also against other allergens so they're sure to be a worth while investment. Make sure to clean them weekly along with your bedding.
Dust mites thrive in moist environments with high humidity, thus lowering humidity to get rid of dust mites is a no-brainer. Open your windows frequently to prevent build-up of humidity and check whether your vents are circulating air.
You can maintain a relative humidity of below 50 percent in your home with the help of a dehumidifier or an air conditioner. You can check the humidity in your home with a hygrometer before deciding if you need to buy a dehumidifier.
4. Choose Bedding Wisely
Aside from purchasing and making use of tightly woven allergen-proof bedding, it's not strictly necessary for you to keep using it unless in case of a severe infestation. Instead, you can also consider simply purchasing and using a simpler bedding design.
Essentially, avoid bedcovers that trap dust easily and are difficult to clean. Dust mites travel with and are found in dust therefore a bedding that traps dust will easily prolong your infestation.
5. Remove Dust
Clean your room regularly using a damp or oiled rag or mop rather than a dry rag to clean up dust. When wiped off with a dry rag, some of the dust will simply be aerosolized and fly up until it settles down on a new surface and along with it, dust mites.
Using wet rags and mops will prevent dust from becoming airborne and resettling down in your home again where you are simply moving the infestation and allowing them to repopulate their numbers.
While vacuuming your home regularly is the right course of action when it comes to proactively getting rid of dust mites, just vacuuming alone isn't guaranteed to be effective. If your vacuum filter isn't a double-layered microfilter bag or a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, house dust will leak out from the vacuum bag.
Prioritize vacuuming carpets and upholstered furniture to remove surface dust. You should also request someone else to vacuum if your allergies are extremely severe.
7. Cut Clutter
Having your home cluttered will reduce airflow circulation in your home and allow your room's air to stagnate and collect dust. If the room can collect dust then it will certainly also collect dust mites.
Remove any nonessentials such as trinkets, books, magazines, and newspapers from your bedroom. Even if the clutter is in the attic, dust mites infestation could build up in the attic slowly start leeching out to the rest of your home.
If you are allergic to dust mites, chances are your children are too. When buying toys for your kids, whether stuffed or plastic, ensure that they are washable before purchasing. Dust and dust mites can build up in the toys easily and act as a vector for introducing dust mites into your home or bedroom.
Wash the toys regularly in hot water and allow them to dry thoroughly to ensure an allergen-free experience for both you and your child. Make sure to also keep the toys off the beds.
9. Avoid Heavy Curtains
Aside from bedding and carpets, the curtain is another thing present in your house that readily traps dust and has to be cleaned regularly weekly. If you use heavyweight curtains, they will be harder to clean, air out, and dry regularly every week.
Thus, to prevent any hassles while cleaning your curtain, make sure to purchase and use lightweight washable curtains or blinds. After multiple weeks of regularly cleaning the bedding, carpets, surfaces, and curtains, the severity of infestation in your bedroom will be drastically reduced.
10. Air Out Linen
For those who may not have enough time to regularly clean all of the linens in their bedroom on a weekly basis, a simple and easy dust mite control that you can do is hang the linens, drapes, and clothes in direct sunlight for several hours, whenever possible.
While there’s no better way to naturally kill dust mites than putting them in direct sunlight, it still won't get rid of the allergens that is their corpses and excrement, thus don't use the airing out of the linens to forego cleaning bedroom linen entirely.
Will Dust Mites Bite You?
Nope, absolutely not. While other types of mites may bite, dust mites are microscopic and feed on dead human skin cells. Instead, their main threat comes from their excrement and corpses causing an allergic reaction in your body due to their mere presence.
How Can I See Dust Mites?
Simply put, you can't. The term mites refers to microscopic arthropods that generally feed on plants, insects, animals, and humans and range from 1/50th of an inch to 1/14 of an inch (0.5–2.0 mm) depending on their species which makes them virtually invisible to the naked eye.
