House dust mites

House dust mites are microscopic creatures and are not visible to the naked eye because they are only about 0.3mm in length. For accurate identification, one needs at least 10X magnification. The adult mite's cuticle (covering) has simple striations that can be seen from both the dorsal (top) view and from the ventral (bottom) view. The ventral view of the house dust mite reveals long setae (hairs) extending from the outer margins of the body and shorter setae on the rest of the body. Through the microscope, one will see many oval-shaped mites scuttling around and over one another. There are eight hairy legs, no eyes, no antennae, a mouthpart group in front of the body (resembles head) and a tough, translucent shell. Giving it a "fearsome appearance."

Dust mites are not parasites since they primarily live on dead skin cells shed by human beings and animals (pets). Human beings slough of approximately one gram of dead skin flakes every hour. This slough, or mites food is most concentrated in lounging areas such as mattresses and bedding, carpets, couches and so fourth. A typical mattress can contain hundreds of thousands of dust mites dead or alive and can contain and equal amount of their feces. A single dust mite produces around 20 waste droppings per day. These droppings are consumed and excreted by the mites many times over.

The most problematic part about this cycle is the fact that, dust mites and their feces contain proteins that cause allergic reaction in eighty to ninety percent of already allergic people. About eighty percent of dust in the home is composed of dead and living dust mites, their excretion and dander (dead skin). When a person is able to see a sun beam through a window the dust particles floating in the air is this precise composition. A carpeted bedroom or living room are two of the most ideal habitats and not to mention breeding grounds for dust mites. A typical mattress can house between one hundred thousand to a million mites, as well as a pillow of up to two years may be ten percent mites and feces. The fact of the matter is, that these statistics have nothing to do with cleanliness. House dust mites can be found in almost all homes worldwide. The excretion actually forms an invisible cloud that rests all around, only to be inhaled by people, causing many problems. Mites will cling to fabrics and continue to breed despite any attempt to clean and or vacuum.

People who suffer from allergies can experience very uncomfortable symptoms that may persist for years. Dust mites are considered to be the worst of all allergens above pollen, pollution and even cigarette smoke, the reason for this is because dust mites are not seasonal nor are they periodical, they are year round. Similar human beings, once comfortable, in a warm soft environment house dust mite are not likely to leave so easily. Many doctors world-wide agree that dust mites cause: Congestion, Eczema, Rhinitis and Asthma to name a few. They even contribute to existing food allergies and intensify symptoms. This is simply known as biochemical warfare, and occurs in the human body constantly.

It is said that thirty percent of visits to the doctor are for ailments due to allergic reactions. In October 2002, it was said that, “as much as ten percent of South African are sensitized to dust mites making it the single most common and significant allergen in South Africa.” (ENT specialist). Not all people are allergic to dust mites but those who are know the discomfort that they bring, and those who are sensitized may feel the effects that dust mites have on their environment at one point or another. People with allergies to house dust usually also have allergic reactions to house dustmite fecal material and cast skins. Studies have shown that the most potent house dust allergens can be extracted from the feces produced by dust mites. Dust mite antigen levels are measured in bed dust, floor dust, and room air samples. The proteins in the feces are what cause allergic reactions in humans.