The humble dust mite is very, very common and some studies show that they may be present in every single human home. Don’t be scared, dust mites don’t bite or cause infections. But as Dr. Parikh lets us know in this video, their presence is a common cause of allergic reactions.
A dust mite under the microscope
Here we have a dust mite in its natural environment, crawling through some tiny hairs and fibers. Dust mites typically eat human skin cells and other organic litter that can be found in the actual dust collecting in your home. They need moisture, too, but not much, just the water vapor from a daily shower or an unvented cooking range can be enough to sustain them.
If you suffer from dust mite allergies, then it’s best to do your research to find out what works best for you. Dust mite-proof bedding can halt their progress where they live in your mattress. Reducing the moisture (by a lot) can reduce their numbers, as well. Also, removing the spots they like to live such as carpets can help, too. Finally, removing their allergens from the air with an air purifier that can address organic material in the air might be a good idea, too.
Check out some of the other Molekule blogs on dust mite bedding or dust mite allergy shots to learn more on how to think about allergies.
