dust mite

In many homes, accommodation, education facilities and work places, the microscopic dust mite can trigger runny, stuffy noses; red, itchy, watery eyes; coughing and sneezing; severe wheezing, shortness of breath and may bring on asthma symptoms.

To the naked eye, the dustmite looks like a speck of moving dust against a dark background, no more than one third of a millimetre in length when fully grown. See dust mites pictures.

So how does such a minute creature, invisible to the naked eye cause so much discomfort and distress?

To the majority of people it causes no stress at all and most people live quite happily with them, unaware of their presence.

Yet for some people, because of their genetic makeup, they become sensitized to the allergenic proteins which the dust mite produces in their bodies and faeces, and as a consequence, they can develop dust mites allergy and respiratory disorders such as asthma symptoms, rhinitis or eczema.

In fact, it is estimated that there are one in four Australians, nearly half a million people in New Zealand and around 100 million people world wide who are sensitive to house dust mites. Look around, if you are one of them, you are certainly not alone.

Being so tiny, the dust mite slips easily through the weave of sheets and soft fabrics. Unfortunately the dust mite itself, with the faeces, waste particles and moulted cuticles, floats easily into the air when anyone disturbs bedding or walks on the carpet.

Yes, exactly where you and your family are sleeping, playing, crawling and working.

Even in the cleanest of homes, dust mites inhabit mattresses, pillows, blankets, under-blankets, quilts, doonas, carpets and all soft fabric covered furniture and curtains. No amount of vacuuming or treatment with dust mite spray or powder (acaricides) will render your home free from house dust mite allergens.

Complete encasement is the only effective means of bedding protection with specifically developed dust mite covers, protecting your whole family from dust mites and the allergic symptoms they trigger. Dust mites mattress protectors, pillow protectors and doona protectors totally enclose the bedding, with a zip that has been specially designed to prevent dust mite activity, even through the needle holes!

Your normal bed linen should be washed in hot water weekly and all dust mite bedding washed every 3 or 4 months to kill dust mites and prevent a build up of allergen on the covers.

Dust mite control can be challenging, minimising dust mite allergen exposure is recommended by major Australian (Asthma NSW) and International asthma and allergy medical opinion leaders to provide significant relief from allergies.

Dust mite and their by-products are a major allergic factor. Their control is essential in the management of asthma according to Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

Click here to see our range of dust mite products.