What Dust Mite Bites Look Like and How to Get Rid of Them

Dust mites are microscopic creatures. Regularly washing your bedding and vacuuming floors may help get rid of them, while antihistamines, decongestants, or allergy shots may help ease symptoms.

Dust mites are one of the most common allergy and asthma triggers that lurk inside your own home, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

These microscopic creatures are too small for humans to see with the naked eye, but they resemble small bugs.

Although they don’t actually bite your skin, dust mites may cause eczema-like skin rashes and other allergy symptoms.

Dust mites aren’t bedbugs, which are a separate type of species that leave visible bites on your skin.

Keep reading to learn more about dust mites and how to get rid of them.

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What is a dust mite?

Dust mites can be difficult to detect due to their small size. Experts estimate that these microscopic arthropods are only 1/4 to 1/3 millimeters (mm) long. You can only see them under a microscope, and even then, they only look like small white spider-like creatures.

Dust mites can live up to 3 months, according to the Allergy and Asthma Network.

The reason why dust mites are so prevalent in people’s homes is that they feed off dead skin cells. On an average day, one person may shed 1.5 grams (g) of dead skin cells, which can feed up to 1 million dust mites at a time.

Dust mites make their homes in places where dead skin cells are most likely to build up, such as bedding, furniture, and carpeting. Rugs and stuffed animals also make good homes for dust mites.

While you can find dust mites all over the world, these creatures tend to favor hot and humid climates. Since they can burrow themselves deep into cloth fibers, they can also travel with you when you move or are on a vacation or business trip.

What do dust mite ‘bites’ look like?

Dust mites themselves don’t actually bite your skin, but an allergic reaction to inhaling their fecal matter may induce skin rashes that look like atopic dermatitis (eczema). These are often red and itchy in nature.

If you have a dust mite allergy, you may experience symptoms year-round. You may also notice that your symptoms peak during the hot, humid summer months.

Common symptoms of a dust mite allergy include:

sneezing

coughing

postnasal drip

runny or stuffy nose

itchy, watery eyes

red, itchy skin

itchy throat

fatigue

sleeping difficulties

Depending on the severity of your dust mite allergies, this condition may also trigger asthma. You may notice wheezing, coughing, and chest pain as a result.

Symptoms of a dust mite allergy may be worse at night or in the morning because dust mites favor places like bedding and pillows. The more you stay indoors, the more you may be prone to dust mite complications.

How do you treat a dust mite allergy?

The best way to treat allergies is to avoid the culprit altogether, which means getting rid of dust mites. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, however, you may need immediate relief.

Speak with a doctor about the following treatment options for dust mite allergies:

over-the-counter (OTC) medications, such as antihistamines, decongestants, and corticosteroids

prescription allergy medications, such as oral leukotriene receptor antagonists

allergy shots

How do you get rid of dust mites?

Dust mites are difficult to get rid of completely, but removing as many as possible from your home can help prevent allergic reactions.

The best way to get rid of dust mites is to target the areas they tend to live in and thrive, including:

bedding

pillows

carpets

rugs

furniture

blinds and curtains

toys and stuffed animals

pet bedding and furniture

Frequent vacuuming, wet mopping, dusting, and washing in hot water at about 130°F to 140°F (54.4°C to 60°C) may help get rid of dust mites. You can even put your bedding in the freezer overnight to kill dust mites.

Acaricides may also help kill dust mites, but experts don’t recommend these for indoor use.

How do you prevent dust mites from coming back?

Prevention is key to avoiding allergies, including dust mites. It may be challenging to prevent them altogether, but the following steps may help you manage the dust mite population in your household:

Avoid carpeting in your home as much as possible, especially on concrete slabs.

Vacuum and deep clean all carpets and rugs at least twice per week.

Maintain indoor humidity at 45% or less.

Dust regularly, paying extra attention to blinds, furniture crevices, and other small areas where dust mites may build up.

Use certified allergen-capturing filters in all air conditioning units and vacuums to make sure dust mites and their fecal matter are fully captured.

Wash all bedding weekly using hot water.

Use zippered mattresses and pillow covers to prevent dust mites from entering your bedding.

What’s the difference between a dust mite and a bedbug?

Bedbugs are larger than dust mites, and you can see them with the naked eye. People sometimes confuse them with dust mites because they live in bedding, carpets, and curtains. And, like dust mites, they can also cause allergic reactions.

The key difference, however, is that bedbugs bite humans and feed off their blood. Dust mites can irritate your skin, but they don’t bite you.

Frequently asked questions

How do you know if you have dust mite bites?

A common sign of dust mites is experiencing allergy symptoms like sneezing, coughing, and itchy eyes in the morning and at night, as well as year-round.

What do dust mite bumps look like?

Dust mites don’t bite humans. However, an allergic reaction to them may cause a rash similar to atopic dermatitis. This rash may be dry, inflamed, crusty, and itchy.

Takeaway

Although dust mites don’t bite humans, their widespread presence in your home can lead to uncomfortable allergy symptoms, including skin rashes.

Dust mites are prevalent in most homes, so regular cleaning and other preventive measures are key to stopping their large numbers while also alleviating your allergies.

If you continue to have allergies despite dust mite prevention, speak with a healthcare professional. They could provide a proper diagnosis and develop a treatment plan for you.

Posted : 2024-08-29 10:50

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