Smite The Mite
One of the commonest asthma triggers is dust mites, or rather the feces and dead bodies of these microscopic insects. Mites are in your home everywhere, and they enjoy the bedroom most because they feed on the dead skin cells that we shed constantly. Banning or at least reducing the numbers of dust mites from your home will help relieve symptoms if you have allergic asthma. You should take the following steps to remove reduce mites.
- Enclose your mattress in an airtight cover and cover it with a washable mattress pad.
- Wash your sheets every week in hot water and wash every two weeks your mattress pads and cotton blankets.
- Choose polyester or dacron pillows, not capok or feather pillows, and enclose them in Avoid carpeting, which is hard to thoroughly clean. Stick with washable rugs and bare floors.
- Airtight dust coverings.
- Instead of draperies, use washable curtains.
- Avoid dust-catchers, particularly in the bed; the better, the less clutter. Whenever possible, stop storing clothes or bedding in the bedroom out of season; whenever you can’t, place them in heavy plastic.
- Seek not to do heavy washing, but use only a vacuum cleaner and damp cloth to clean; mops of dust and brooms will kick up the dust.
- When sweeping, wear a mask over your mouth and nose and leave the room after you’ve done.
- In warm weather, run an air conditioner or dehumidifier, particularly in spring and fall, when mites are multiplying. Aim to keep the level of humidity in your home below 40%.