Allergy recommendations for house dust mites
We can distinguish two types of measures to reduce exposure to house dust mites and their particles.
Highly effective steps:
- Ideally, your bedroom should be free of damp (fix damp problems as soon as they are detected) and keep well ventilated.
- Reduce the relative humidity in the house, or at least in the bedroom, at least to 50% (using a dehumidifier if necessary).
- You should not stay in closed, poorly ventilated places (attics, basements) and in case of change of address (rental, holidays), before the arrival of the patient, it is advisable to clean and ventilate throughout.
- Places should contain little furniture and objects. These should be preferably washable (smooth surfaces, formica, metal, etc.).
- The presence of books, figurines and soft toys is especially dangerous (reduce them to 2 or 3 and keep them off the bed. Wash them once a month and put them in a dryer for 20 minutes). Carpets or rugs, and curtains should be preferably light.
- Curtains, sheets and blankets (acrylic) should be washed frequently and at high temperature, either washing or drying above 50°C.
- Use mite covers on the mattress and pillow (should be vacuumed for 10 minutes once a month and expose them to the sun for 30 minutes twice a year).
- Before wearing clothing that has been stored from the previous year (mainly coats, jackets, sweaters, etc.) it should be aired thoroughly.
- Wardrobes should be closed and if sleeping in bunk beds the patient should sleep at the top. It is not advisable to sleep on a sofa or armchair.
- It is not recommended that the patient is present while cleaning the bedroom and/or home.
Intermediate efficiency measures:
- Clean the room with a vacuum cleaner with HEPA filters, since it is not desirable to raise dust with brooms or dusters. Use wet cloths for cleaning windows, doors, etc.
- The use of air conditioning or acaricides.
- Central or electric heating is preferable. Change filters every month. Cover the heating vents with special filters or thick cheesecloth, which will catch dust and should be changed when you see dust accumulated.
Allergy recommendations index.