Dust Mite Mattress and Pillow Covers for Allergy Relief
If you or your family has dust allergies, your first line of defense may be to keep your bed clean. That's because mattresses, pillows, and soft bedding are favorite hiding places for microscopic dust mites. Dust mite droppings rank among the top allergens that trigger asthma symptoms and aggravate your allergies.
The average mattress will double in weight in 10 years as a result of being filled with dead dust mites and their wastes. Dust mite-proof mattress covers and pillow covers may keep these troublesome bugs -- and the reactions they can cause -- at bay.
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The Problem With Dust Mites
Dust mites can be found anywhere there are people or animals, warm temperatures, and high humidity. Although dust mites are present in the outdoor air, higher levels are found indoors, where dust mites can get plenty of the food they need -- mold spores and dead skin cells from people and household pets.
In people who are sensitive or allergic to them, contact with dust mites can cause problems, including:
- Watery eyes
- Runny nose and sneezing
- Coughing and other breathing problems
- Skin rash and itching
Each year, reactions to dust mites, along with other common household allergens, are responsible for about 200,000 emergency room visits for people with asthma.
Dust mites can be found in the air and on hard surfaces, but the largest concentrations are in soft materials, such as carpet, draperies, stuffed animals, upholstered furniture, and bedding. There are thousands of dust mites in your bed each night.
Covering the Problem: Dust-Mite-Proof Mattress Covers and Pillow Covers
Because beds are a major source of dust mites, protecting mattresses and pillows from these pests may help. In a 2003 study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, children with asthma and dust mite allergies who used dust mite-proof mattress and pillow covers were able to reduce doses of asthma medication by half. Tests of those children's mattresses also showed considerable reductions in dust mite concentrations.
Dust mite-proof covers for mattresses, pillows, and box springs are available at many mattress and allergy supply stores and in a variety of materials. Plastic or vinyl covers with zippers may help seal in allergens so you don't inhale them when sleeping. Plastic or vinyl covers are also easier to keep clean than covers made of natural fibers.
Many plastic covers have an outer layer of material such as nylon to make them more comfortable. If possible, you should cover mattresses and pillows when they are new, before they have become laden with dust mites and other allergens.
Once you have covered your mattress, box springs, and pillows, cover zippers with duct tape or electrical tape to help prevent dust mites or their wastes from entering or escaping.
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