The Dust Mite Allergy Cycle

Everyone will always perspire and shed dead skin. We will spend 1/3 of our lives in bed, and additional hours relaxing on a couch or chair every day. Dust mites are a constant presence in in our lives, no one can completely eradicate them, and for some, their presence is of little consequence. They do not bite us or seek anything other than our dead skin. Unfortunately, many of us have become much less tolerant of allergens, and although the dust mite is harmless enough, their droppings contain a particularly powerful protein that can cause a list of less than pleasant reactions. Many reports indicate the presence of more than 1,000,000 dust mites in a mattress in the average clean house; with significantly larger numbers in older ones, exceeding 2 million. It is because of these ever-increasing numbers that the amount of dust mite waste – their droppings and remains, can clearly establish an unhealthy place to rest for so many. It is reported by health-focused organizations that as many as 35% of us suffer to some degree from dust mite allergies. And, more seriously, the 20% of us who are asthma sufferers must tolerate the exacerbation of our normal symptoms. There is a list of all these symptoms later in this article provided by the Mayo Clinic. Why do we put up with this situation? Do some of us believe that we diligently clean our house, maybe vacuum our bed, chairs and drapes occasionally, and therefore we must be good? Well we are certainly a little better off. However, doing so hasn’t killed any mites or used enough power to suck out the significant presence of debris there may be, but we may feel cleaner. Dust mites have become known as part of the Unseen World, those things that affect us so much, but because we cannot see them, we do not blame them. Isn’t our sneezing, runny nose, etc., related to something our pharmacy or doctor should fix? The World Health Organization tells us there are 235 million people living with Asthma. We probably all know someone that does; Asthma is a serious problem that demands medical treatment, but it is clearly made more miserable by our environment, and especially dust mites. Without going into the Economics associated with time lost at work due to minor ailments, we all know the discomfort and irritation that the symptoms of dust mite allergies cause, as well as the loss of sleep while we are suffering. There is so much information that has been published over the past 10 years about dust mites, it is sometimes difficult to understand why more cleaning companies do not carry the appropriate equipment or offer it as a specific service. It seems as if the connection is not made by the homeowner, hotel manager or the many types of multi-bed facilities to the cause and effect of such a widespread and intrusive nuisance, and if people do not ask for it there cannot be a need. Harvard Medical School also carried out its own research into the trouble caused by allergens hiding in your home: Dust can also be home to a thriving community of bacteria, fungi and minute spider-like insects called dust mites that feed on dead skin cells. We should be grateful that dust mites don't bite or spread disease directly. But the debris they leave behind can provoke a powerful allergic reaction. As many as 500 mites can live in a single gram of dust, each of them producing many allergy-inducing droppings. Harvard MS strongly propose a serious response to the impact of Dust Mites, more so when infants are present: The most vulnerable family members are the youngest: Infants, whose organs are still developing, are up to 100 times more susceptible to the health hazards of dust-borne pollutants than adults are. Harvard MS made a strong case for a range of different lifestyle changes to establish a less allergen-prone environment, some as simple as having a more effective shoe cleaning door mat, but ultimately, because of the embedded and often widespread nature of the infestation – they recommend scheduling a professional dust mite eradication service at least 2-3 times per year. While regular vacuuming, preferably with a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter, is a good place to start. University of Arizona researchers found that vacuuming with a standard household vacuum removed only a small percentage of the arsenic-containing floor dust in the homes they tested, which is why a more powerful and comprehensive service may be needed. Although carpeted surfaces can look clean after a few passes with a household vacuum cleaner, dust often lurks deep within the pile. Clean the Unseen We all need to reconsider the meaning we give to the word clean. It is not a look. Most of us clean our clothes thoroughly after every wearing; maybe we dry clean dresses and suits after a few wearings, some of us proudly clean our car, inside and out, weekly. All things that we have adopted with a sense of organizational and lifestyle commitment. It is unfortunate that few of us look at our home with the same degree of care. Despite the frequent and earnest comments expressed by experts regarding the impact on our lives of dust mites, our commitment to house cleanliness usually revolves around what it finally looks like. It looks dust free, therefore it must be dust free. It isn’t. The things that surround you are shared with other living but microscopic mites, bacteria and germs. You will feel and be healthier if their impact on your life is dramatically reduced, regularly. As Harvard Medical School said, a professional dust mite eradication service at least 2-3 times per year can alleviate so many of the symptoms that we currently live with. As the mattress is seen as the primary object of concern, this is often referred to as Mattress Cleaning, but it can include so many other things, e.g. pillows, couches, chairs, drapes, cushions, soft toys, carpets, etc. There have become 3 methods used by the expert cleaners, usually referred to as Steam, Chemical or UVC Cleaning. The Healthcare experts do not support the steam process due to the fact that introducing any type of moisture creates additional problems such as promoting the growth of mold and mildew. The chemical process is also unsupported because if you have allergies, chemicals can introduce additional reactions. They suggest, whenever possible, a solution should be found with UVC Cleaning as this does not have any side effects or cause irritation. The steam process is often far more intrusive, takes longer, and usually needs to be allowed to dry completely before use. UVC Cleaning uses the power of Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation, which can kill, amongst other things, Anthrax, Typhoid, E. Coli, Tuberculosis, Salmonella, Dysentery, Staph Infection, Strep, Legionnaire's Disease, Cholera, Influenza, Hepatitis, Algae, Fungi, and dust mites. The process is Green and Dry. The real issue here is to recognize the importance of completely clean

ing or sanitizing the parts of your home that can and will affect your family’s life and health. Just like detailing your car. Detail your home occasionally. Don’t just make it shine, make it shine with health.