I threatened you last time that I wanted to talk about dust mites, and I guess that idea stuck in my head, because here were go. Dustmite 101. It is nearly as gross as the bedbug thing...
Dust mites like to live like we do, in temperature controlled, weather controlled environments. And like us, they like to be surrounded by family. Only their family eats our dead flesh cells and their droppings can be highly allergenic to their human hosts!
They travel like we do-flying on air currents (made by our movement with a dust ball instead of a Boeing). They walk on their eight legs and they don't even really try to hide from us-it is just that at roughly the size of the period at the end of this sentence, we don' really notice them. Until we sneeze or see the motes flying in the sunlight.
While the simple washing and drying of you bedding can kill them, they reproduce so rapidly that there is an almost constant supply of bugs to drive your psyche insane if you let them.
My advise? Relax. Yes, they are gross, but they are a part of life. Put your pillows in the dryer to bake them out. Vaccuum and steam your carpet and floors. Wash and dry your bedding, and buy a mattress like Moonlight Slumber so you can simply wipe it clean each time you change the sheets. A damp sponge will do it and you can feel the power of ruthlessly eliminating mites with every swipe.
But for those of you whom mites pose a real allergen concern-I apologize for taking this lightly. Many of you do have to contend with a serious issue. Dustmites are among the leading sources of asthma with symptoms of dust mite allergies including itchiness, sneezing, inflamed or infected eczema, watering/reddening eyes, runny nose and clogging in the lungs.
For you Avoidance of dust mites and their allergens is the best course of action and the products you buy play an even bigger role. The use of bedding that acts as a barrier to the dust mite and its allergens is a good first step, the bedding should also be breathable and be able to withstand frequent washing (like our Moonlight Slumber Naturals All in One cover for crib mattresses). Air filters, mattresses, pillow covers, even removing the predominance of carpet and soft surfaces can also be effective. As can elimination of products the produce off-gassing like most paints, building materials and cleaning products (and even some sub-par mattresses out there!). Follow the advise of health care professionals as you seek to reduce symptoms of asthma.
One good product to reduce dustmites in your sleeping area is a Moonlight Slumber mattress. Just like I mentioned last time, our technique for sealing seams means that the little nasties can't get into the mattress. If they can't get in, they can't live in there and breed. And if they can't live and breed in your mattress, you can't get sick sleeping in their droppings. Hhhhmmm, disgusting!
And while I've probably just made you want to run and wash your sheets, let me alleviate one common misconception with dustmites...yes, the accumulated droppings from dust mites do collect in your pillows and bedding over time (especially if you buy a product that you can't toss in the washer and dryer on a regular basis) but there is no scientific evidence supporting the claim that this waste will significantly add to the weight of your pillow.
Feel better? Me either. Next time something not related to bugs, I promise!
POSTED BY TERRY PAUL President and Founder of Moonlight Slumber
10-Nov-09
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I threatened you last time that I wanted to talk about dust mites, and I guess that idea stuck in my head, because here were go. Dustmite 101. It is nearly as gross as the bedbug thing...