It is estimated that 70% of all allergy sufferers are allergic to dust.
Dust mite allergies are the most common cause of allergy from dust. It’s estimated that 70% of all allergy sufferers are allergic to dust. While your bed is the chief place the majority of house dust mites reside, the mites can also survive in pillows, overstuffed furniture, even rugs and carpeting. Mites eat particles of skin and dander, so they thrive in places where there are people and animals. They live and multiply easily in warm, humid places, so they are not usually found in dry climates.
There may be many as 19,000 dust mites in one gram of dust, but usually between 100 to 500 mites live in each gram. (A gram is about the weight of a paper clip). People who are allergic to dust mites and inhale these particles frequently experience allergy symptoms such as runny or stuffy nose, itchy, watery eyes and sneezing. The dust mite allergen is their tiny feces and body fragments which are components of dust. These particles are so small they can become airborne and inhaled when dust is disturbed.
Dust mites don’t bite, cannot spread diseases and usually do not live on people. They are harmful only to people who become allergic to them. While usual household insecticides have no effect on dust mites, there are ways to reduce exposure to dust mites in the home.
