Eww – Dust Mites in the Bedroom!

I’ve recently had many people come in and detail allergy symptoms to us:  runny nose, cough, post nasal drip, sneezing, etc.  Not uncommon nor surprising for this time of the year.  These patients include at the end, “it only happens at night.”  Interesting.

We were taught that environmental factors affect allergies.  Outside stuff like pollen or mold, and indoor stuff like dust or animal dander.  The worst, most disgusting offender? Dust mites (pictured above).

Our bedrooms are really disgusting.  If you have hardwood floors, I dare you to look under your bed right now.  You can probably visualize what I’m getting at.  Now think about how dirty your carpet under your bed REALLY is.

What’s worse, humans shed about 10 grams of dead skin cells a week.  We spend 1/3 of our lives in bed.  Yes, we have sheets on our beds.  That is not enough protection.  Think about how many microscopic skin cells are on or IN your mattress.  You know when you see small particles of dust floating in a sun beam?  Yeah, 80% of that is dead skin.

Philip Tierno, director of clinical microbiology and immunology at New York University Langone Medical Center recently confirmed a very disgusting urban myth.  Over the course of 10 years, your mattress weight can double due to dead skin cells, dust mites, and dust mite debris (read: poo).

Anyone wonder why some people suffer from allergies at night only?

Here’s what you should do:

• Control your environment by cleaning REGULARLY.  Under the bed, new sheets, the works!
• Buy a breathable but impermeable mattress cover AND pillow case covers.  Nasty stuff out – including water.
• Put a thin blanket at the end of the head of your mattress.  The slight elevation may help prevent post nasal drip from backing up into your sinuses
• Read more on dust mites

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