COMBATTING AN UNSEEN DANGER: THE DUSTMITE
Tuesday, November 1, 2011 at 01:45PM 
The causes and effects of allergies have long been known and can be a serious health threat. Stillmallergies seem to be on the increase. They are an unwanted response of the immune system resulting ininflammation of the eyes and nose (rhinitis), lungs (asthma) and skin (eczema). It is estimated thatallergies affect some 40% of the population at some time and the percentage is on the increase.
One controllable culprit in the battle with allergens is the house dust mite, a microscopic insect whichis found in our indoor environment. The bedroom is particularly vulnerable for allergy sufferers as, we spend one third of our life in bed and a good deal of other time dressing and preparing for the day.We shed skin scales (which is food to the dust mite) into our sleeping environment collected by thelinens, pillows, mattress and carpet. All these areas are ideal breeding grounds for the dust mite.
- It is the house dust mite waste, and not the mites themselves, that triggers asthmatic and allergic attacks. Research has revealed this trigger is a microscopic protein in the mite excrement called Der p1.
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Mites live on carpets, pillows, upholstered furniture, blankets, mattresses, in the air handling system, etc.
- Over 7,000 can fit on a fingernail. The average dust mite is 0.5 mm in length, not visible to the naked eye.
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A dust mite molts several times during its life producing 200 times its weight in waste and will lay 300 eggs. Each miteproduces 40 to 100 feces pellets per day. The mites' droppings are coated in an enzymatic slimy substance, which afterdrying become mixed with other particles forming household dust.
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To help deactivate the allergen found in dust mite droppings, clean all textiles in the home. MasterBlend ® Dust Mite Anti-Allergen can be used on carpet, furniture and in the final rinse cycle when laundering bed linens. MasterBlend ® Dust MiteAnti-Allergen will remain effective for up to 4 washes.
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