WHAT IS A DUST MITE ALLERGY?

Do you suffer from allergic rhinitis (nasal congestion, sneezing, itching and watery eyes)? Does your winter flu seem interminable?

You're probably allergic to dust mites, like 30% of the world's population. Dust mites feed on our dead skin particles, and can be found in large quantities in our beds, which are perfect hosts for them. Up to 10 million mites in a bed. The life cycle of is between 30 and 90 days, and females produce between 1 and 3 eggs a day. The best way to prevent allergic rhinitis is to avoid the allergen that triggers it. (by opting for a zippered dust mite cover).

Despite their small size, dust mites produce between 10 and 20 particles of waste per day each containing a known to cause allergic reactions and asthma. These particles are so small that they float in the air when disturbed, and are easily dispersed. The most recent studies show that 30% of the world's population is allergic to dust mites, which are responsible for 70% of respiratory allergies. Between 60% and 80% of asthmatic children are sensitive to them. A female house dust mite will evacuate 200 times its own weight in excrement during its lifetime and after two years, dust mites represent 10% of the weight of an unprotected pillow.

When a person sits on an unprotected bed with a 360-degree allergy cover (with zipper) dust mites are released into the air, causing allergies and discomfort in sensitive individuals. Allergists recommend dust mite covers that protect all 6 sides of the mattress with an effective barrier to extremely fine particles (< 2 microns). Also, the use of an HEPA filter air purifier can help a lot to reduce symptoms of dust mites.