They are responsible for allergic diseases such as rhinitis, conjunctivitis and bronchial asthma. Dust mites, microscopic arachnids belonging to the arthropod family: these animals are able to infest the house by sticking to mattresses, pillows and carpets. To survive, they feed on the flaking cells of our skin. In case of allergy to mites, it is important to limit your exposure to mites through small measures to be implemented in your home. Prevention is in fact the first and important step to limit and combat this disease. We talked about it with Dr. Donatella Lamacchia, Allergology and Clinical Immunology in Humanitas Medical Care Milan in Via Domodossola and in Humanitas Medical Care Fiordaliso.
The reclamation of environments
Once the allergy to house dust mites has been established, it is advisable to implement simple environmental reclamation regulations that can help to reduce the severity of respiratory allergy symptoms and therefore the use of drugs.
The first rule is that the house must be ventilated, dry and not damp. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid carpeting, wallpaper, drapes, carpets, heavy curtains, upholstered beds, preferring instead foam rubber or spring mattresses and synthetic pillows. Not even quilts and duvets in wool, feathers and vegetable fibers, while mattresses and pillows in latex, even if often guaranteed as “anti-mite”, can still be colonized by these organizations.
Changing the air frequently and vacuuming mattresses and pillows is a good rule, as is using mattress covers and pillows made of fabric with mite filters that prevent direct contact.
Washing on at least 60 degrees
The acaricidal temperature is at least 60° so pillowcases, sheets, mattress covers and pillow covers should never be washed at lower temperatures. On the other hand, to remove mites from toys and soft toys you can put them in the freezer for one night at -18 to -20 °, a treatment that kills every mite. Then you can wash the soft toy on at least 30° once a month to contain its recolonization by the mites as much as possible.
A good idea could also be to equip yourself with environmental dehumidifiers and avoid spreading the wet clothes in the house.
Cleaning rules
To remove dust it is best to use modern vacuum cleaners, equipped with a mite filter (HEPA) and wet cloths that prevent air dispersion.
The heaters are cleaned with care. Acaricide or denaturant products are commercially available for use twice or three times a year, mainly on non-washable surfaces. In this case, the instructions in the package insert must be followed carefully to avoid direct contact with the acaricides.
