Dust Mites: What Are the Recommendations for Reducing Exposure at Home?

What You Need to Know About Dust Mites

Dust mites make their home in mattresses, box springs, carpets, curtains, stuffed animals, fabric sofas… In short, in any upholstered items (synthetic or natural) capable of trapping dust. In these habitats, dust mites find the elements necessary for their development, namely:

• food: dander (dead skin cells) and hair particles from humans or animals. Bedding is, in this sense, a major food source, since the average person spends one-third of their time sleeping;
• humidity: at 70–80%, it is ideal for dust mite proliferation;
• temperature: dust mites thrive between 15°C and 25°C, a common temperature range in French homes. Their proliferation is greatly accelerated at around 26°C.

Allergy to dust mites

Exposure to dust mites causes allergies, whether the mites are dead or alive. This is because allergens are found on their bodies (shells), in their feces, and in their eggs. These allergens become airborne and enter the respiratory tract. Dust mite allergy is the leading cause of respiratory allergies.

This allergy causes several symptoms throughout the year:

• allergic rhinitis: I sneeze. My nose itches, runs, or is stuffy. My throat, palate, and ears itch;
• allergic conjunctivitis: my eyes are red, itchy, and watery;
• asthma: I have trouble breathing; sometimes I wheeze and cough;
• eczema: I have small blisters or red patches on my skin that itch.

Symptoms may be more severe in the spring or fall due to temperatures and relative humidity that are conducive to the growth of dust mites.

Measures to Combat Dust Mites

In general:

• Ventilate every room in the home every day for at least 30 minutes, ideally 15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes in the evening—even in winter, encouraging drafts;
• Maintain a temperature in the home between 18°C and 19°C, with a slightly lower temperature in the bedroom (17°C–18°C);
• Maintain the relative humidity in your home between 40% and 60%. Use a hygrometer to measure the humidity level in the bedroom. If the level is too high, identify the source of the excess moisture and address it. Use dehumidifiers only as a last resort;
• Replace rugs, carpets, and natural fiber floor coverings (sisal, seagrass) with hard floors (hardwood, tile, PVC) that are easy to clean;
• Vacuum weekly using a vacuum cleaner equipped with a HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filter;
• Clean the home (vacuuming, mopping, dusting furniture) once a week using products with low chemical emissions. Opt for alternatives with lower emissions (white vinegar, baking soda, black soap, etc.);
• Reduce dust traps: thick curtains, fabric sofas, wall hangings, stuffed animals, etc.
• To monitor the level of dust mite allergens in dust traps, you can use a rapid detection test (Acaritest®).

In the bedroom, specifically:

• Place a certified, full-coverage anti-dust mite mattress cover with a zipper (Immunoctem, ProtecSom, Stallergenes, Dyn'r, Acar Housses) on the mattress.
• Wash all bedding items (sheets, pillowcases, covers, pillows, comforters, etc.) thoroughly before putting on the cover.
• Care for the cover according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. If there are multiple mattresses in the room, protect each one with a full-coverage anti-dust mite cover;
• Replace the upholstered box spring with a slatted box spring or an unpadded metal box spring;
• Choose a mattress without a winter side (wool);
• Avoid bunk beds. If necessary, place the bedding on the top bunk;
• Wash sheets, pillowcases, and covers, ideally once a week at 60°C;
• Wash pillows and the comforter every three months at 60°C. If that’s not possible, place a dust-mite-proof cover over them.
  Avoid feather-filled items, as they are difficult to maintain;
• Tidy up the bedroom by minimizing the number of items left out in the open (stuffed animals, books, knickknacks, clothes, toys). Store them in airtight containers and/or closed cabinets;
• Do not eat in the bedroom;
• Do not allow pets (dogs, cats, etc.) into the bedroom.