Sleeping with the Enemy
by Julie Henningfield

House dust mites are tiny creatures that essentially feed off dead skin cells routinely shed from humans and their animal pets. Common lounging areas, often-used furniture, carpeted areas within these realms and mattresses play host to large numbers of these microscopic bugs. Skin cells and scales, commonly called dander, entice the mites to stay in these areas.

Some fun facts: A regular run-of-the-mill mattress is home to thousands of dust mites ... and 100,000 of their friends can inhabit one square yard of carpet. Ready for more? A single dust mite produces about 20 waste droppings each day, each containing a protein to which many individuals are allergic. The combination of feces and skin sheddings contribute to allergic reactions in humans. And finally, one last tidbit of enlightenment, unlike other types of mites, house dust mites are not parasites, since they only eat dead tissue.

Where do they spend their time?

Well, they spend their time in the same place you spend most of yours (about a third of your life), in your mattress. Beds are the focal stomping grounds for dust mites. Can you stomach this - a common used mattress may house anywhere from 100,000 to 10 million mites inside. That two-year old pillow that you lay your head on every night may be composed of dead mites and their droppings - comprising 10 percent of the weight of the pillow. The inside of a mattress is heaven for mites because they prefer warm, moist surroundings. While they are snuggling inside your mattress, they are noshing on dander from you and your pet.

Can they hurt me?

While they are disgusting, house dust mites are not actually harmful. However, the medical significance of house dust mites arises because their microscopic cast skins and feces are a major ingredient of house dust that triggers allergic reactions in some people.

Taking control

Focus your efforts on controlling dust. Reduce the concentration of dust-borne allergens in the living environment by controlling both allergen production and the dust which serves to transport it.

For the bedroom environment:

* Enclose the mattress top and sides with a plastic cover or other dust mite impervious cover. Thoroughly vacuum mattress pillows and the base of the bed. An airtight plastic or polyurethane cover for your mattress may virtually eliminate the mites closest to you.

* According to the nation's largest Craftsman-Direct mattress retailer, Verlo Mattress Factory Stores, the best thing you can do is to throw out a mattress after eight to 10 years. Franchisor John Henry recommends choosing a mattress that is infused with Talalay Latex, citing that latex does not promote a favorable environment for dust mites.

* Wash those sheets and blankets every two weeks in hot water. The water used should be at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit. Set your washing machine to its hottest setting.

* Don't forget to wash the children's stuffed animals. As cute and fuzzy as they are, they also harbor these microscopic creatures.

You may not be able to conquer all of these creatures, but taking some of these preventive measures certainly will help!

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Julie Henningfield