Among the many allergens, allergic diseases caused by dust mites are the most common, and it is estimated that about 90% of childhood asthma is caused by dust mite allergy. Foreign clinical studies have also found a strong correlation between the level of exposure to dust mite allergens in the home during infancy and the chances of the child developing asthma later in life. Allergies are a major cause of asthma.
When a child breathes in this tiny particle that cannot even be seen or touched, symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, itchy nose, eyes and ears, cough and shortness of breath all manifest themselves.
(a) What are mites?
Mites are microscopic pests that are not easily visible to the naked eye. There are more than 500,000 species of mites, generally divided into dust mites, pink mites, sweet mites, leather mites, chiggers, etc., of which dust mites are the most widely distributed and have the greatest impact. Although only about 30 to 300 microns, dust mites are a very strong allergen. The bodies, secretions and excretions of mites are all allergens, and the mite disease alone makes many doctors feel confused to diagnose these mites.
(b) What season do dust mite allergies occur in?
Spring is the time of year when allergic diseases are most prevalent. This is because when the sun becomes warmer in spring, it is the prelude to the brewing of these tiny mites. Dust mites are active in warm and humid places, and if live mites directly invade the body, they can cause asthma, bronchitis, nephritis, allergic rhinitis and allergic dermatitis.
(iii) Where are mites abundant?
Scientific statistics show that there are as many as 16 kinds of mites indoors, with the largest number of dust mites, and the most distributed places are carpets, quilts, mattresses, pillows, floors, sofas, etc. in that order.
The dust mites hidden in beds and sofas and their excrement fly in the air when we fold the quilts and sweep the floor, and are inhaled into the bronchial tubes, where the tiny particles that are decomposed can also penetrate into the capillary bronchial tubes, especially when inhaled by young allergy-prone babies, which can cause obvious allergy symptoms under the stimulation of allergens.
(D) How to avoid dust mites?
Mite prevention strategy 1: frequent ventilation
Mites like humid, high temperature, cotton and linen fabrics and dusty environment, 20-25℃, 65% to 80% relative humidity, which is extremely suitable for dust mites to develop and reproduce. Therefore, dry and diligent ventilation is the best weapon to eliminate them. In order to thoroughly prevent and control mite infestation in the home, you must often open doors and windows, adhere to the ventilation, light, especially in the use of air conditioning should pay more attention to indoor ventilation, ventilation.
Mite prevention strategy two: diligent laundry
In addition to the inability to go to heaven, mites do not go anywhere, especially in cotton and linen fabrics like to make a home. So be sure to clean and dust your clothes often, every two weeks or so you can use about 60 ℃ hot water to wash the bedding once. Also try to simplify the layout of the bedroom to facilitate dust removal, it is best not to lay carpets indoors, do not place tapestries and other things that tend to accumulate dust in the home.
Mite prevention strategy three: “wet work” cleaning method
Mites and their excrement hidden in beds and sofas are likely to fly in the air as the room is tidied up and then be inhaled into the bronchial tubes, easily triggering obvious allergy symptoms. When cleaning, be sure to use wet wipes or special mite wipes to develop the habit of “wet work” to avoid raising dust and reduce the chances of mites dispersing through the air.
Mite prevention strategy 4: not to store too much food
Mites also love food: cookies, milk powder and other foods are the ground for pink mites to grow arrogant; and sugar, sugar, maltose, syrup and other foods with high sugar content are the favorites of sweet mites, and if they are not allowed into the body carefully, they will become a hidden danger for people to get sick. Therefore, the food stored at home should not be too much and not too long, and sugar, sugar syrup and syrup and other drugs that have syrup components should be tightened after taking the cap.
Anti-mite strategy five: away from pets and flower fertilizer
Keeping some flowers and plants at home is a good way of life, but it is best not to use fertilizer for flowers because there are many mites and fungi in fertilizer, but also flower fertilizer on the roots of flowers and plants, which will not only give more nutrients to the flowers and plants, but also reduce the growth rate of mites. In addition, pets can sometimes be a living environment for mites, so if you have pets at home, you must remember to bathe and disinfect them often.
Anti-mite strategy six: use anti-mite bedding cover
The bedroom is an important place for family life, but also the largest host site for dust mites. First of all, mattresses, pillows and bedding should be wrapped with mite resistant materials, so that not only the dust mites inside cannot penetrate the isolation materials and feed on human dander, but also the dust mites outside cannot enter the mattresses, pillows and bedding to reproduce, thus achieving the purpose of controlling dust mites. The most direct way of isolation is to put pillows, mattresses and bedding into mite proof bedding covers. The best anti-mite materials are flexible, breathable, very fine fabric fibers or non-fabric synthetic materials.
Mite prevention strategy 7: Stay away from furry toys and clothes
Instead of using stuffed furniture (such as fabric sofas), use wooden furniture or leather sofas. Stuffed toys must be of washable type, and it is best to stay away from furry toys as much as possible.