Targeting No Dust Mite Bedroom

Dust may contain molds, fibers, and dander from dogs, cats, and other animals, as well as tiny dust mites. These mites, which live in bedding, upholstered furniture, and carpets, thrive in the summer and die in the winter. They will, however, continue to thrive in the winter if the house is warm and humid. The particles seen floating in a shaft of sunlight include dead mites and their waste products, The waste products actually provoke the allergic reaction. The routine cleaning necessary to maintain a dust-free bedroom also can help reduce exposure to cockroaches, another important cause of asthma in some allergic people. You probably cannot control dust conditions under which you work or spend your daylight hours. To a large extent, however, you can eliminate dust from your bedroom. To create a dust-free bedroom, you must reduce the number of surfaces on which dust can collect.

Keep only one bed in the bedroom. Most importanly, encase box springs and mattress in a zippered dust-proof or allergen-proof cover. Scrub bed springs outside the room. If a second bed must be in the room, prepare it in the same manner. Use only washable materials on the bed. Sheets, blankets, and other bedclothes should be washed frequently in water that is at least 130 degrees Farenheit.

• Lower temperatures will not kill dust mites .
• If you set your hot water temperature lower (commonly done to prevent children from scalding themselves), wash items at a laundromat which uses high wash temperatures.

Use a synthetic, such as dacron, mattress pad and pillow. Avoid fuzzy wool blankets or feather- or wool-stuffed comforters and mattress pads.

Keep furniture and furnishings to a minimum.

• Avoid upholstered furniture and blinds .
• Use only a wooden or metal chair that can be scrubbed.
• Use only plain, lightweight curtains on the windows .

Air filters-either added to a furnace or a room unit-can reduce the levels of allergens. Electrostatic and high-efficiency particulate absorption (HEPA) filters can effectively remove many allergens from the air. If functioning improperly, however, electrostatic filters may emit ozone, which can be harmful to your lungs if you have asthma. A dehumidifier may help because house mites need high humidity to live and grow. You should take special care to clean the unit frequently with a weak bleach solution (1 cup bleach in 1 gallon water) or a commercial product to prevent mold growth. Although low humidity may reduce dust mite levels, it might irritate your nose and lungs.

In addition to the above guidelines, if you are caring for a child who is dust-sensitive

• Keep toys that will accumulate dust out of the child's bedroom .
• Avoid stuffed toys .
• Use only washable toys of wood, rubber, metal, or plastic .
• Store toys in a closed toy box or chest .

Keep all animals with fur or feathers out of the bedroom. People allergic to dust mites often are allergic to cats, dogs, or other animals. Although these steps may seem difficult at first, experience plus habit will make them easier. The results-better breathing, fewer medicines, and greater freedom from allergy and asthma attacks-will be well worth the effort.

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