Alergy Reports

As the leaves fall, the dust mite population in your bedroom could well be on the rise.
Research from Sydney’s Woolcock Institute of Medical Research shows that dust
mite levels can increase 2-3 fold during late autumn, compared with summer levels.1
According to National Asthma Council Australia director, Dr Janet Rimmer, a
respiratory physician and allergist, that’s bad news for the vast numbers of Aussies
with dust-mite triggered allergy or asthma.
She said: "Around 45 per cent of the population have an allergy and of those people,
almost 80 per cent react to dust mites.
"Dust mites are the most common trigger for asthma in Australia and the bedroom is
the site of the greatest exposure."
House dust mites are microscopic creatures that feed off human skin scales.
They are mostly found in the home and live in soft furnishings such as beds,
bedding, carpets, upholstered furniture, soft toys and clothing.
Dust mites thrive in temperate and humid climates and the research indicates a link
between the change of weather and the dust mite population explosion, which
appears to occur approximately two months after a damp, humid Autumnal spell.
For people with dust mite triggered allergy or asthma, Dr Rimmer recommends a
number of dust mite avoidance measures, which may take time, but are potentially
helpful.
Typical control measures include washing sheets and pillow cases weekly in water
hotter than 55oC; covering mattress, pillow and quilt with dust mite resistant covers,
which must be washed every two months; removing soft toys or hot washing them
weekly or freezing them overnight; dusting hard floors and surfaces with a damp or
electrostatic cloth; and, cleaning carpets weekly using a vacuum cleaner with a
HEPA filter.
"Dust mites and the allergen they leave behind are extremely hard to eliminate, but
people who are strenuously motivated to remove the allergen from their homes do
say that it makes a difference," Dr Rimmer said.
"It’s important to remember that dust mite allergy is a perennial problem and dust
mite control measures need to be adhered to year round - not just in Autumn," she
warned.
Reference
1. Seasonal trends in house dust mite allergen
in children’s beds over a 7-year period
D. Generic zithromax pills no prescription Crisafulli, C. Almqvist, G. Marks, E. Tovey (2007)
Allergy 62 (12) , 1394-1400
National Asthma
Council Australia
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