Allergy to Dust Mites (2024)

Dust mites are tiny insects that live indoors. They thrive in pillows, mattresses, box springs, blankets, rugs and carpets, "stuffed animals" and upholstered (cloth) furniture such as couches. They also live in dusty areas like furnace ducts. They are so tiny that they are hard to see without a microscope.

Dust mites feed on organic matter such as flakes of skin. They love padded material and prefer humid conditions. Both the enzymes in their feces and their hard shells can cause allergy and asthma symptoms. When a person who is sensitive to the dust mite breathes in these particles, they can cause allergy symptoms, including sneezing, coughing, runny nose, congestion and itchy, watery eyes. Dust mites can also cause asthma symptoms, such as coughing or wheezing.

The best way to reduce allergy symptoms due to dust mites is to cover the bedding with special dust mite covers and remove as much dust as possible. Pay special attention to your child's bedroom.

How to Clean and Dustproof Your Child's Room

Follow these steps:

• Sealthe pillows and mattress in a special zippered allergy cover (called an encasem*nt). Box springs should have zippered, vinyl covers. These covers can be purchased on-line or in most stores that sell bedding.
• Vacuumfloors once every week.
• Damp-dustthe room well from top to bottom every 1 to 2 weeks. Include lights, window sills, furniture, shelves, ceiling fans, and blinds.
• Stuffed animalsand pillow pets should be placed away from the bed.
• Blanketsshould be cotton, rayon or synthetic fiber. Thin blankets are better than a comforter, quilt, or chenille bedspread.
• Washall bedding, including sheets, every week. Use hot water (130 degrees F) or set the dryer to high heat to kill dust mites.
• Bedsin your child's room should have wooden or metal non-upholstered frames. Avoid sleeping on a couch, sofa, or sleeper sofa when possible.
• Replace furnace filtersoften, as directed by the manufacturer, every 3 months. Pleated filters work better than less expensive flat filters.
• Dusttends to collect in theductsover time. Consider having a professional check your ducts every 5 to 10 years to see if they need to be cleaned.

More Tips

• Other rooms – Your child should nap or sleep only in his own bed which has been prepared as directed. When your child visits away from home or travels, he should take his non-allergenic pillow with him. If the child plays or spends time in a room other than his bedroom, the room should be prepared like his bedroom. Try not to let your child play or lie on carpeted floors or sit or lie on stuffed furniture unless it is vinyl or leather.
• Dusty objects – Your child should not handle objects covered with dust, such as books or boxes of clothing if they have been stored in shelves or cupboards for a long time.
• Dust mites thrive in humid environments. Try to avoid a bedroom humidifier if your child is allergic to dust mites.

If you have any questions, be sure to ask your doctor or nurse, or call theAllergy Clinicat(614) 722-5804.

Helping Hands Patient Education Materials

Written and illustrated by medical, nursing and allied health professionals at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Helping Hand instructions are intended as a supplement to verbal instructions provided by a medical professional. The information is periodically reviewed and revised to reflect our current practice. However, Nationwide Children's Hospital is not responsible for any consequences resulting from the use or misuse of the information in the Helping Hands.

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