Heard of dust mites? You can’t see them but you may have seen their effects. According to the Allergy Foundation of South Africa, a House Dust Mite is a tiny 8-legged creature that lives in warm, humid home environments, like in your child’s bedding, carpeting, fabric furniture and even soft toys. House dust mites feed on the dead skin scales of humans and being only 1/3 of a mm in length, there are roughly 1 000 mites in the average bed!
How do dust mites cause allergies?
While dust mites are harmless to most people, about 10% of the general population are allergic to them – more specifically, to a protein found in their faeces. About 30% of all allergic patients react to dust mites, making it the single most common allergen in South Africa.
What are the symptoms?
Your child may have a cough that never seems to go away and doesn’t seem to be linked to any other symptoms of cold or flu. They also may develop asthma, rhinitis, hay fever or eczema, that worsens or becomes difficult to control.
What do I do if I suspect the problem may be mites?
The first thing you should do is book an appointment with your doctor. They might recommend that you see a children’s allergy specialist so your child can be tested for various allergens. This involves a painless skin test that can be done in the doctor’s rooms, and will help confirm exactly what your child is allergic to. The doctor can then prescribe medications to help alleviate the symptoms, plus advise on certain changes you can make in your home (some are listed below).
Steps to follow at home
- Dust mites thrive in damp warm conditions, so be sure to keep your home well ventilated.
- Always air your beds and bedding when you change the linen.
- Prevent the buildup of dust by vacuuming regularly, ideally with a specialised allergy vacuum cleaner (don’t forget to change the filter!), as well as dusting all surfaces with a damp cloth.
- Wash the children’s linen in a hot wash, as this will kill off the mites, whereas a cold wash will not.
- Have your children’s mattresses and any carpets professionally cleaned regularly. If your children are sharing a bunk bed, the allergic child should always sleep on the top bunk. Replacing carpets with tiles or another surface can also be a huge help.
- Soft toys are some of the worst culprits for dust mites, so keep these away from their beds, and put them in a plastic bag in the freezer every few months (for 6 hours) to kill the mites.
- Use a good dehumidifier in their room.
While the idea of dust mites is not a pleasant concept to think about, it’s important to take action if your child is reacting to them and becoming unwell. Following these steps will help you and your child manage their allergy so that symptoms can be managed and minimised –and as a bonus, your home will be kept a little cleaner in the process!
Sources:
- https://www.allergyfoundation.co.za/
- Dr Candice Royal, children’s allergy specialist
