For many of us just the thought of dust mites is enough to give us the heebie-jeebies, especially when we think of them living in our pillows and mattress. Dust mites are responsible for causing allergies and asthma in individuals who are susceptible; especially young children and the elderly. According to the experts at The American Lung Associations, dust mites do not bite or sting. Rather it is the fecal matter and body fragments that are the root cause of many breathing related allergic reactions including asthma and many other breathing conditions. Dust mites eat dead skin that is shed by both humans and pets, and according to researchers; we shed enough skin in one day that has the capability to feed a million dust mites.
 

Skin Cells & Pet Dander in Carpet & Upholstery

During the spring when pollen allergies are already at an all-time high, dust mites just aggravate the situation making it that much worse. The coming winter months bring little relief since we rely on central heating to keep the house warm and limit natural air flow which allows the concentration of dust mites along with fecal matter to exponentially increase. Skin cells, commonly referred to as dander are found in many areas around your home including furniture, carpets and mattresses. The average human being loses roughly 1/3 ounce of dead skin in a week. Pets create even more.
 

Can I Wash My Mattress to Remove Dust Mites?

Your mattress has the capacity to contain literally tens of thousands of dust mites and 100,000 mites can live comfortably on one square yard of carpet. A single dust mite can produce as many as 20 fecal droppings in a single day containing a protein that is responsible for many allergic reactions. Depending on the individual and the length of exposure, allergy symptoms can range from itchy eyes to asthma attacks. Fecal matter contains protein which produces antibodies in humans who are allergic when the protein is either inhaled or touched by the skin. Our body’s defense is to release histamines which in turn cause nasal congestion and upper respiratory complaints. Other symptoms include: hay fever, runny nose, sneezing, eczema, itchy nose & throat, postnasal drip, cough, sinus headache, swollen puffy skin under the eye area, and bad breath.
 

House Dust Composition & Control

One of the most allergenic substances found in many homes is house dust. According to independent testing, house dust is contaminated with dust mite fecal matter and body fragments are responsible for up to 80% of allergic reactions including hay fever, eczema and asthma. Other common allergens found in house dust include cat dander, cockroach droppings and grass pollen. Symptoms are typically respiratory in nature but can also include headaches, depression and fatigue. Your doctor can use a series of skin and blood tests to confirm an allergy to dust mites. Sometimes the symptoms are obvious, for example if you have persistent sniffles, sinus headache and water scratchy eyes; chances are you are allergic to dust mites. But sometimes the symptoms are less obvious for example your only symptom may be nasal congestion.
 

Carpet, Upholstery & Mattress Cleaning in Tracy, Livermore, San Ramon, Dublin, Ripon, Mountain House, Walnut Creek, Danville & The East Bay of California.

For infants an exposure to dust mites in the first year of life can trigger a lifelong allergic response. Prevention is the key as once an allergic reaction takes place there is no cure. The knowledgeable professionals at Carpet Care 2000 are the experts when it comes to caring for your mattresses, carpets and upholstery and removing dust mites and other allergens caused by house dust. For more information on mattress, carpet and upholstery cleaning, contact the experienced carpet cleaning specialists at Carpet Care 2000 today.