House dust mites is a member of the mire family which mainly lived in the inner house dust, it belongs to Glycyphagidae according to taxonomic system. Dust mite includes Dermatophagoides farinae, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Euroglyphus maynei, and they are almost invisible to human eyes. Because of their prevalence in the human living environment in the dust, they can easily cause allergic reactions such as allergic asthma, allergic rhinitis, allergic skin diseases, etc. Therefore, people are paying increasing attention to them. There is special relationship between dust mite and allergic asthma / allergic rhinitis.
Dust mite is one of the most common allergen inhalation; the dust mite allergy can occur in all age groups, the incidence of allergic reaction is in constant increasing, especially among little kids and infants. Most of the allergic asthma out broken and worsen or acute and sustained symptoms are closely related to dust mite allergens. Dust mite is the primary allergen of allergic rhinitis; in addition, it is also one of the pathogeny for nasal polyps.
The following are three relative objectives for Dust mite intervention methods: 1. Reduce the total amount of live mites, 2. Lower mite allergen levels, 3. To minimize direct exposure to the former two factors. Below are factors that determined dust mite control methods: price, the ease of the implementation process, the importance of revealing particularly sources, safety level of chemicals, the potential benefits of proceeding interventions. When the room is full of dust mites, and the allergic symptoms of patients became severe we need to employ a comprehensive approach. Specific control method and the basis are listed as follows:
1. Lower indoor relative humidity
Adjusting the indoor relative humidity (RH) to less than 50% is the most commonly used methods to control level of mite and other allergen, since the relative humidity is the cretical factor that affects mites survival and prevalence. In temperate zone, the adoption of high-performance dehumidifier and air conditioners could effectively maintain the relative humidity below 50%.
2. Adoption of anti-mite packaging case
Using special anti-mite packaging to rap up mattress and pillow is best way to reduce exposure to dust mite allergens. We strongly suggest those allergy patients using this method; the packaging materials range from plastic, breathable materials to very small fiber fabric or fabric composite materials pose. The ideal material should be comfortable, breathable fabrics, such steam permeable fabric can prevent mites and mite allergens from penetrating through. Larval mites generally in the size of 50 microns or above, so fabric that less than or equal to 20 microns can prevent through all mites.
3. Bedding cleaning, drying and dry cleaning
Sheets, pillowcases, blankets, mattress sets weekly equal to or higher than 55 ° C heat can kill a washed to remove the overwhelming majority of mites and mite allergens. Washing with warm water or cold water can not kill the vast majority of mites, but the vast majority can remove allergens. Using ordinary washing powder and immersing in 25℃ water could remove almost all allergens. If the temperature is higher than 55 ° C time of 10 minutes, rolling dryer can kill all mites. Daily shampooing is also a good way control dust mites.
4．Change carpet, curtain and home decoration
Carpets, curtains and household decorative fabric accumulated debris pieces and keep high indoor humidity which provide an ideal breeding habitat for mite. In humid areas, the carpet should be turned over to hard side. Curtain or shading screens should be replaced with the blinds, the household fabric decoration should be replaced by decorative fabric or leather pad made from ethylene resin, and wooden furniture is the best choice.
5. Vacuum Cleaning carpet
If the family is unwilling or financial does not allow for changing the carpet, it should be vacuum cleaned weekly, and the vacuum cleaner bags should be replaced regularly. The vacuum cleaner bag should be double weaved or high-performance air filters or central vacuum cleaner towards the end of outdoor cleaning process to avoid allergens in the form aerosol. Regular vacuum cleaning can remove the mite and allergens that stick on the carpet surface, but it is impossible to nor reduce the number of live mites nor remove the allergens. Water left in carpet during steaming cleaning will help to create a humid environment in which mites can grow incredibly fast, thus to create a negative effect.
6. Frozen soft toys and small items
Freezing soft toys and small items (such as pillows and special clothing) under the temperature of －20℃ for 24 hours is also a effective way to kill all mites; and all the remained dead mite and allergens can be washed away directly. In the cold zone, placing mattresses and pillows outside for 24 hours is also a good method.
7. Chemical Preparation
Control mite and allergens through chemical preparations may achieve different results. However, we should always keep safety as our top concern while applying it. |
