If your allergies act up when you’re at home, your bedroom is probably one of your problem areas. It’s key to make the room less cozy to mold, dust mites, and other allergens that make you sneeze and sniffle. Recommended Related to Health A-Z What Is a Growth Hormone Test? Our bodies usually change quietly, almost without notice. Our hair often thins as we age. It’s all part of maturing, and it’s controlled by hormones. But sometimes things go wrong. The hormone that helps control growth and the chemical reactions in our bodies is called human growth hormone. (You may see it written as HGH, or GH for short.) Your body might make it in great amounts or not at all. Too much or too little HGH can lead to a variety of issues, including: Read the What Is a Growth Hormone Test? It’s time to take action. These microscopic bugs can trigger allergies and asthma. They can often be found living in your bedding. You can take some steps to get rid of them:
Carpet is a popular place for dust mites. Consider replacing it in your bedroom with hardwood floors or linoleum and washable area rugs. If you must have carpet in your bedroom: Say goodbye to dust catchers like blinds and heavy, dry-clean-only drapes. Try washable curtains and roller shades, instead. Wipe window frames and glass regularly to prevent mold and mildew. Both can trigger upper respiratory symptoms if you have allergies or asthma. Keep things simple to breathe better. Cut back on knickknacks and fabric. The less upholstery in the room, the better. Move books, magazines, and decorative items to another room, so you can dust less often. Don’t store things under your bed. Dust mites and mold like a warm, damp room, but you probably don't. You may want to try an air-filtration system that uses a small-particle or HEPA filter to keep the air in your bedroom cleaner. These filters work in central air conditioning and heating systems and in portable AC units.
We're sorry, the page you're looking for can't be found. It is possible that you used an outdated or expired MedicineNet link or you may have typed the address incorrectly. Please try searching using the search field above. If you're not sure of the spelling, type the first few letters, followed by an asterisk(*). To help you find what you are looking for, these links may help. Browse our A-Z Lists: MedTerms Online Medical Dictionarylast updated: Nov 15, 2016Dust mites belong to the spider family; they are translucent and have eight legs.Dust mites are microscopic, only 0.3mm in length, and cannot be seen with the naked eye.1 single gram of dust can contain up to 100,000 dust mites.A male dust mites lifespan is 30 days, while a female’s is approximately 2 months. Dust mites can lay up to 100 eggs a month and are very resilient in nature. They prefer dark living places and require a high humidity level of up to 60% to reproduce; this is why mattresses provide an ideal shelter and feeding ground for them.
They are commonly found in mattresses, pillows, cushions, soft toys and carpets, as they are all ideal places to find food.Dust mites feed off human and animal dander; excess skin shed from the body. After ingesting dander, mites then defecate and the mites’ feces accumulate inside the mattress. A single mite can produce up to 2000 units of fecal matter in a period of 10 weeks. A harmful allergen, mite fecal matter has been proven to have a severe impact on health as well as sleep quality.Symptoms for allergic reactions caused by dust mites can range from asthma, rhinitis, hay fever, itching, headaches, fatigue, rashes, eczema and even depression.It is a shocking but true fact that a mattress may become double its original weight within 10 years due to dust and dust mite feces! - Wash bed linens every 10 days at 130 degree F. - Use natural laundry additives that contain anti-mite properties. - Protect mattresses by encasing them in pristine based anti-allergic covers. - Wash stuffed animals and on a weekly basis.
- Maintain household humidity at 30-50%. - Minimize carpeting floor surfaces and have carpets washed professionally semi-annually.Dust mites thrive in spring mattresses because of their open-air spring system and loosely constructed layers. Solid foam mattresses cores such as Essentia's is a natural dust mite deterrent, allowing for a healthy, low-allergen sleep environment that allows you to sleep better and feel better.For more information, please visit our Learning Center.Allergy-proof your homeBy Mayo Clinic Staff If you have hay fever or allergic asthma, take a few steps to reduce allergens in your home. Some steps to reduce indoor allergens are complicated and time-consuming — but there are some easy things you can do that may help. Some steps may be more effective than others, depending on what particular allergy or allergies you have.Encase pillows, mattresses and box springs in dust-mite-proof covers. Wash sheets, pillowcases and blankets at least once a week in water heated to at least 130 F (54 C).
Remove, wash or cover comforters. Replace wool or feathered bedding with synthetic materials.Remove carpeting and use hardwood or linoleum flooring or washable area rugs. If that isn't an option, use low-pile instead of high-pile carpeting and vacuum weekly with a vacuum cleaner that has a small-particle or high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. Shampoo the carpet frequently.Use washable curtains made of plain cotton or synthetic fabric. Replace horizontal blinds with washable roller-type shades.Close windows and rely on air conditioning during pollen season. Clean mold and condensation from window frames and sills. Use double-paned windows if you live in a cold climate.Choose easy-to-clean chairs, dressers and nightstands made of leather, wood, metal or plastic. Remove items that collect dust, such as knickknacks, tabletop ornaments, books and magazines. Store children's toys, games and stuffed animals in plastic bins.If you can't find a new home for your dog or cat, at least keep animals out of the bedroom.
Bathing pets at least once a week may reduce the amount of allergen in the dander they shed.Choose an air filter that has a small-particle or HEPA filter. Try adjusting your air filter so that it directs clean air toward your head when you sleep.Wash area rugs and floor mats weekly, and shampoo wall-to-wall carpets periodically.Consider replacing upholstered sofas and chairs with furniture made of leather, wood, metal or plastic.Find a new home for potted plants or spread aquarium gravel over the dirt to help contain mold.If you can't find a new home for your dog or cat, consider keeping it outside if weather permits.Avoid use of wood-burning fireplaces or stoves because smoke and gases can worsen respiratory allergies. Most natural gas fireplaces won't cause this problem.Install and use a vented exhaust fan to remove cooking fumes and reduce moisture. Most stove-top hoods simply filter cooking particulates without venting outside.Scrub the sink and faucets to remove mold and food debris.
Wipe up excessive moisture to avoid mold growth. Discard moldy or out-of-date food. Regularly empty and clean dripping pan and clean or replace moldy rubber seals around doors.Clean cabinets and countertops with detergent and water. Check under-sink cabinets for plumbing leaks. Store food — including pet food — in sealed containers.Place garbage in a can with an insect-proof lid and empty trash daily. Keeping the kitchen free of food crumbs will help reduce the chance you will have rodents or cockroaches.National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Accessed Oct. 1, 2013. Managing indoor allergen culprits. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Allergen avoidance in the treatment of asthma and allergic rhinitis. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic. The Mayo Clinic Diet OnlineA 4-Step Plan for HappinessMayo Clinic on Alzheimer's DiseaseControlling High Blood PressureThe Mayo Clinic Diabetes Diet