Have your sayWhat do you do for dust mites? Tell us on the messageboard below. Living with allergies is a nightmare for many people, and dust mites are one of the most common causes of allergic symptoms. But how do you get rid of something that lives all around us?Experts agree that when it comes to allergies the best thing to do is avoid your allergen – the thing that causes your allergic reaction. Dust mite allergens are proteins contained in mites' faeces, secretions and body parts.If you don't want to sneeze or wheeze then you need to get rid of dust mites and what they leave behind. But that's hard when dust mites live in our mattresses, pillows, bedding, furniture and clothes.Some people swear sunlight will rid your clothes, carpets and bedding of dust mites. But Dr Euan Tovey, an allergy researcher from Sydney University, says it's not a straightforward solution.Tovey says leaving your rugs or carpets in the sun to 'bake' for three hours will kill all the dust mites, but it won't get rid of the allergen."
Killing the mites alone doesn't stop any of the exposure to allergens – all it does is kill the mites, which will over a period of time just re-establish themselves anyway. So you do need to get rid of the allergen," he says."What I do is wash my Persian carpets once or twice a year – I hose them down, scrub them with soap and water, put them on the trampoline and leave them in the sun for a day."The best thing for bedding and clothes is regular washing in the machine. Tovey says dust mite allergen is highly soluble, and washing in warm water with normal laundry detergent removes close to 97 per cent of the allergens."Most websites advocate hot washing bedding at 73 degrees – that's very hot water. Most systems don't have water that hot and I don't think it's worth the trouble – you're better to wash it more frequently," he said.As for mattresses, Tovey says it's best to use a washable mattress protector and wash it regularly with all your other bedding. So in short, sunlight can kill dust mites but it won't get rid of the allergens.
You need to wash those before you'll stop coughing, sneezing and wheezing.Dr Euan Tovey is Research Leader of the Allergen Team, Woolcock Institute of Medical Research, University of Sydney. He was interviewed by Claudine Ryan. email ABC Health & WellbeingPrevious Article Next Article House dust mites, a major cause of disease worldwide, are tiny, barely visible creatures living indoors in colonies in damp, dark, and still conditions. The most common methods for controlling mites and their allergens involve physical means such as covering bedding with anti-mite covers. Several products claim 'mite-proof' protection but very few have been evaluated for their anti-mite properties. To help in this respect scientists from Thailand and the USA put various anti-mite pillow protectors through rigorous tests to report on their efficacy and to note fabric wear and tear. The study divided the products into eight separate categories: 1. tightly woven - 30 samples 2. non-woven- 10 samples
3. film/membrane-coated woven - 4 samples 4. membrane-coated non-woven - 3 samples 5. acaricidal-coated woven - 1 sample 6. acaricidal-coated non-woven - 1 sample 7. plastic -1 sample 8. combination of woven and non-woven - 3 samples Three normal cotton bed sheets were included for comparison but did not qualify as protection against mites and allergens. The fabrics were then investigated to see how they blocked the movement of allergens, stopped the penetration of live mites, sustained air permeability for comfort, dust leakage and measured the thread count per square inch where applicable. Each product was repeatedly tested using established clinical procedures. The highest quality of anti-mite fabrics were identified as being: thread count greater than 246/in2 . pore size of between 2-10 micron resistance to live mite penetration dust leakage of <4% air permeability between 2 and 6cm3/sec/cm2 (cubic centimetre per second per square centimetre) 'breathability'
Tightly woven fabrics are derived from twisted cotton or synthetic fibres perpendicular to each other and having either a regular, systematised bi- or tri-axial weaving pattern. To block dust mites from entering a fabric a thread count greater than 246/in2 (per square inch) is advised. Thread count represents the coarseness or fineness of a fabric and is defined by the number of horizontal (warp or lengthwise) and vertical (weft or widthwise) threads in one square inch of the fabric. Tightly woven fabrics, measured by pore size, allow little space for mites to penetrate, but if the pore size is measured between 2 - 10 m the fabric will act to block dust mites and the majority of allergens. The report also touched upon evidence of wear and tear following months of use and washing. With the exception of plastic structural changes and efficacy will change after use. In one study two brands of non-woven covers exhibited warn and matted surfaces threads, easily providing access points for mites.
From clinical studies using tightly woven anti-mite fabrics indications are that structural integrity is not compromised even after one year of continual useage. This study's findings followed another successful clinical report investigating tightly woven covers in anti-mite bedding materials. Authors from both studies expressed hope that their findings will help set standards for consumers when purchasing anti-mite fabrics. Anti-mite Covers: Potential Criteria for Materials Used Against Dust Mites. Vanna Mahakittikun , John Joseph Boitano Chulaluk Komoltri , Prapakorn Ninsanit, Teerapong Wangapai 'Textile Research Journal', 2009, 79: 436,443 Mite penetration of different Types of Material Claimed to be Mite-proof by he Siriraj Chamber Method, Mahakittikun V., Boitano J. J., Tovey E., Bunnag C., Ninsanit P., Matsumoto T., Andre C., 'J. Allergy Clin, Immunol.', 118, 1164-1168 (2006) Previous Article Next ArticleMattress Protectors, Underlays & ToppersSpotlight has a range of different mattress protectors, underlays and bed toppers available instore and online.
If you want a good nights sleep and increase the longevity of your mattress and bedding then our range of products is what you are looking for.Each of these products comes in different styles, sizes and price ranges, as well as the levels of protection and comfort that they offer.So whether you need a waterproof mattress protector for your child or looking for some extra warmth in the cold winter nights Spotlight has all your bedding needs and requirements covered at the lowest prices guaranteed! Why use a mattress protector?A good quality mattress can be quite an investment, and many people will use their mattress for many years before buying a new one. During the night, our bodies shed miniscule dead skin cells, hairs and perspiration, which can all seep into the mattress and form an ideal breeding ground for dust mites, which can cause irritation for people with allergies or breathing problems. A mattress protector will form a barrier to protect your mattress, and is easy to remove and clean.
It will add to your level of comfort and hygiene, as well as prolong the life of your mattress.What kind of mattress protectors are available? Mattress protectors can come in two styles, either fitted around the top and sides of your mattress, or with straps, where the mattress protector lies on top of the mattress and has straps that fit around the corners of the bed. Mattress protectors are sold in the same sizes that beds come in and are available in single, double, queen, king and super king size.As well as general mattress protectors, it is also possible to buy waterproof mattress protectors, which will protect your mattress against accidents or spills, and anti-bacterial mattress protectors, which are especially made for people who are sensitive to allergies as they will prevent bacteria in the mattress coming into contact with the skin. Although waterproof mattress covers will provide an extra layer of protection to your mattress, the materials used to ensure the waterproofing will not allow them to be as breathable as for instance cotton mattress covers, as air cannot circulate freely.
What is the difference between an underlay and a mattress topper? Underlays are normally fitted around your mattress, enclosing the mattress like a fitted sheet would do. They will add an extra layer of softness and warmth, since these budget-friendly underlays are normally made from synthetic material such as polyurethane foam, while more expensive underlays are often made from natural materials such as wool. Reversible underlays allow you to choose either the wool side in winter and the cotton side in summer, which will allow more circulation for your skin.Mattress toppers are most often designed to be fitted on the top of the mattress with straps that go around the corners of the mattress, this will add an extra layer of comfort. It looks a bit like a quilt, and can have added fibres to assist in pressure point relief during sleep. Some mattress toppers can also be filled with duck or goose feathers. Adding an underlay or mattress topper to your bed can extend the life of your mattress and revive an old mattress, this is especially handy if you are not able to invest in a new mattress at the time.