Dust mites

If you're having an allergic reaction to something in your home, dust mites may be the culprit.

Impossible to detect with the naked eye, dust mites are quite common in Australia, living (and leaving their droppings) on soft furnishings, toys and even pets.

But what can you do if you or a loved one is allergic to these teeny-weeny pests? And is it possible to completely eradicate them from the home?

According to Paediatric Clinical Allergy and Immunology Specialist Dr Mahila Namasivayam, "dust mites feed on the dead, flaky skin that we and pets shed". And this makes our living spaces ideal for them.

Dust mites are often found in parts of the home that are frequently used, particularly with carpets and soft furnishings, like bedrooms and the living room. Dust mite allergies are typically linked to breathing and skin allergies, such as hay fever, asthma and eczema.

A dust mite allergy can present itself in a few different ways, depending on the allergy it triggers.

"Symptoms of allergic rhinitis (hay fever) include sneezing, runny nose, blocked nose and itchy nose and eyes," says Dr Namasivayam. "For those who have asthma, it can trigger their asthma attacks, [including] wheezing, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing."

As dust mites can affect your upper airways and cause congestion and coughing, the allergy may also lead to sleeping problems.

If you suffer from eczema, symptoms may present themselves on your skin. "If you have eczema, where there is an impaired skin barrier, then flare-ups [with] red and itchy skin can be seen," says Dr Namasivayam.

In fact, according to one study, around 80% of homes in coastal parts of Australia like Sydney have dust mites at levels that exceed what's considered high.¹

And the problem with dust mites doesn't end with the critters themselves, as they continue to be a problem even after they're dead. "It's the dust mite faeces where a lot of the allergen is concentrated," says Dr Namasivayam.

The best way to reduce the harm of dust mites is to reduce their numbers.

Unfortunately, though, you can't completely eradicate them. "But you can certainly try and eliminate as much as you can," says Dr Namasivayam.

As they tend to thrive in warm, moist places, dust mites are usually found in soft furnishings and bedding. "Starting with the bedroom is very important, because we spend about a third of our lives sleeping," says Dr Namasivayam.

Specific areas to pay attention to include:

• carpets
• furniture
• bedding
• soft toys.

"Looking at the furnishings is important," says Maria Said, CEO of Allergy and Anaphylaxis Australia and co-chair of the National Allergy Council.

To do this, Said recommends:

• changing bed sheets every week and washing them in a hot cycle with eucalyptus and tea tree oil (or something that’s formulated to kill dust mites)
• reducing the number of soft toys in a child’s bedroom
• keeping pets out of bedrooms and regularly cleaning areas where pets commonly shed hair.

"You need to be realistic about what can be done. From a cost perspective and also from a time management perspective," Said adds.

In more extreme cases, Said notes that you may be able to reduce dust mites by doing things like:

• removing curtains from your house
• pulling up carpet
• replacing soft furniture with leather or vinyl alternatives
• purchasing dust mite covers for bedding.

"And making sure you wash those dust mite covers at least every 2 months," Said adds.

Allergy and Anaphylaxis Australia has online support resources available. You can also call for help and support on 1300 728 000.

The Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) offers information and support for Australians and New Zealanders living with allergies, providing medical practice, training, education and research.