Dust mites are one of the most common pests which can invade your baby’s crib and crib mattress. The house dust mite is a major source of allergies worldwide. There are two main types of dust mite, American and European, but neither of these is specifically confined to either continent. House dust mites carry digestive enzymes which they frequently expel in their waste. When this waste gets onto mattresses and other bedding, it can cause allergic reactions. The exoskeleton of the dust mite can also be a source of allergies.
Why are dust mites attracted to your home?
The reason is that they feed on the flakes of human skin which we shed on a daily basis. These flakes are typically microscopic, so you’re not even aware that you’re shedding them. The fact is though, we all shed skin, and in a way the dust mites are doing us a favor by cleaning up after us. Nonetheless, too many dust mites is an imbalance in your environment and can lead to health problems. Babies are particularly susceptible to severe allergic reactions, which is why you need to take extra special care to keep dust mites from infesting your baby’s crib.
Are dust mites visible to the naked eye?
It may surprise you that they are, but it’s hard to see them unless you have a dark background. Most dust mites measure around 0.4 millimeters in length by 0.25-0.32 millimeters in width. Dust mites are a pale blue color and rectangular. They are eight-legged creatures, not insects.
How long do dust mites live?
The life cycle for an average male dust mite is only 10-19 days. Females can live as long as 70 days if they are pregnant. During the final five weeks of her lifetime, the female dust mite can lay up to 100 eggs. Over ten weeks, a single dust mite can produce 2,000 fecal particles and can leave even more dust particles behind which are coated in the digestive enzymes that cause allergic reactions.
Where do dust mites live?
Dust mites can live anywhere, but they are particularly fond of your bedrooms or kitchen. Favorite dust mite habitats include mattresses, bedding, carpets, and upholstery. Bedding is a popular dust mite breeding zone since the sweat and saliva of a human sleeper can create a humid climate which is conducive to dust mite health. Since babies typically drool onto their mattresses, and newborns often sleep face down, a baby’s mattress can be extra susceptible to dust mites. This orientation also makes your baby extra susceptible to an allergic reaction, since your baby will be breathing directly against the surface of the mattress.
It is estimated that an astounding 1.2 billion people around the world are allergic to dust mites. Why certain people are allergic to dust mites isn’t yet well understood by researchers, but it seems that the immune systems in some people are overly sensitive and interpret harmless substances as being the cause of disease. The result is that when some people encounter dust mites and their enzymes, their immune systems react violently, releasing prostaglandins, histamine, and leukotrienes. This causes inflammation, which produces the symptoms of allergies. Most adults treat these allergies with OTC or prescription anti-histamines.
Most people who experience dust mite allergies have bouts of itchiness, sneezing, eczema, watery eyes, and nasal and lung issues. Many people cannot get a good night’s sleep if they have dust mite allergies, because the mites in their pillows cause them to wake up sneezing all the time. Similar symptoms can affect your baby if he or she is allergic to dust mites. Allergies can have a more serious impact on infants than on adults. Since this is such a common allergy, you will want to take steps to protect your child from dust mites. That way your baby can stay healthy and content.
One thing you can do is regularly clean your baby’s nursery. This means vacuuming the carpets and keeping upholstery clean, and taking extra care to wash your baby’s mattress and bedding on a regular basis. There are dust-mite proof coverings which you can purchase for your baby’s mattress, but there are also hypoallergenic mattresses which you can buy that can prevent dust mite infestation in the first place. These hypoallergenic baby mattresses are breathable and easily washable. They feature waterproof covers which prevent moisture from seeping into the mattress. This not only protects your baby from dust mites, but also from mold. The waterproof surface is easily washable, which helps you to maintain the cleanliness of your baby’s mattress. A simple wipe-down is often enough to remove the fecal matter which dust mites leave behind, cleansing your baby’s mattress of most allergens. Most experts recommend that when you wash your baby’s bedding, you use water which is more than 140 degrees. Air purifiers can help keep the dust mites out of the room too.
Are hypoallergenic mattresses only for people who use synthetic mattresses, or can you also find organic mattresses with a hypoallergenic design?
It may surprise you to learn that you don’t need synthetics and chemicals to prevent dust mite infestations. Many of the best hypoallergenic baby mattresses are made of all natural materials that are every bit as effective at repelling pests. They are also easy to wipe clean so that you can maintain your baby’s sleeping environment.
Dust mites are tiny but abundant creatures which can multiply quickly and take over your house. Some dust mites in moderation aren’t really a bad thing – dust mites take care of debris, removing our dead skin from the environment. Too many dust mites though is an environmental imbalance, and you or your baby may well start experiencing the signs of dust mite allergies – coughing, sneezing, and red, itchy eyes. If your baby starts sneezing or coughing a lot, then the crib mattress is probably full of dust mites. Wipe it down and see if that fixes things, and if not, look into purchasing a higher quality hypoallergenic mattress to replace it. Your baby will thank you for it.