Are you ignoring the single biggest allergy factor on your home? What can you do to eradicate dust mites?

Thailand and other Asian countries create delightful wonders with seafood. It is a surprise to me that the most common food allergy in Asia is an allergy to shellfish. That seems counterintuitive but there is an underlying allergy vector that is not addressed properly that is a primary sensitizer to this allergy.

Can you guess what that sensitizer is? It is also a silent nasal and respiratory allergy cause and a major risk for those with asthma. Dust mite tropomyosin is a cross-acting allergen found in shellfish as well. These are invertebrate tropomyosin. The vertebrate variety is non-allergenic. 

It is impossible to permanently eliminate dust mites. There are several actions we can take to minimize exposure and reactions. Let’s spend the next few minutes talking about those.

If you have a handheld electron microscope you would find most dust mites living in bedding, pillows, plush toys, furniture, carpet, etc. Washing items in 50c water, every two weeks, kills all dust mite adults and eggs. Purchasing a dust mite-proof mattress will provide another layer of deterrent with closed cell foam or latex structures that provide no shelter for them. 

Their preferred food is our dead skin cells. When you breathe in dust with waste from dust mites, your allergen and immune system are triggered. Dust mite particles and waste can become airborne, that’s how we breathe them in. A micron HEPA filter will remove these and other allergens from the air but total home air purity is difficult to achieve. It is another layer in overall defence. A closed-circuit HVAC system with a heat pump and filtration will do a more thorough job of allergen suppression. Be sure to clean or replace filters regularly. 

A dehumidifier is an effective tool for minimizing dust mites. They can not ingest water and need a humid environment to survive. Keeping our homes below 50% relative humidity will prevent mites. They also have a small thermal window of 20-25C. Colder and warmer seasons can help to prevent their reproduction.

It turns out that making your bed immediately in the morning is an effective way to give dust mites a nice place to reproduce and live. Airing your linen and bedding daily with cold, clean air is important for many reasons. 

One female can lay 100 eggs and take one month to develop, living up to four months. While a dirty lifestyle does not create dust mites, it does encourage population growth. You, your children, and your pets can suffer respiratory and skin issues. 

There are characteristics of living in the tropics we have to endure to enjoy this paradise. Do not place blame or ask any government to make changes to blunt the impact of allergy season if you are not doing all of the actions to help yourself. They can not HEPA filter the entire atmosphere, nor can they clean your home. 

Due to the increased incidence of anaphylaxis, the Thai government has put out a practical guide for allergies in the Kingdom. You may be experiencing increased allergies of unknown origin, which are stimulated by dust mites. Breathing easier will take less mite when you follow the simple steps mentioned here.