Dealing with dust mite allergies: Home tips

MANILA, Philippines - House dust mites are tiny, almost invisible to the naked eye. Dust mites are not parasitic, but they have powerful allergens contained in the mites, their cast skins, fecal material and secretions that can cause allergic reactions in asthmatics and others who are allergic to their feces.

Their primary food is skin scales (dander) contained in house dust. Since the greatest fallout occurs in areas of human and pet activity, the mites tend to be most numerous in beds, sofas, chairs, and carpeted areas. 

Studies show that dust mites may be a factor in 50 to 80 percent of asthmatics, as well as in countless cases of eczema, hay fever and other allergic ailments. In the United Kingdom, one in 10 children and one in 12 adults suffer from asthma (source www.asthma.org.uk) while everyone either knows or is related to someone who suffers from an allergy or eczema.

According to Mayo Clinic, dust mite allergy symptoms caused by inflammation of nasal passages include sneezing, runny nose, itchy red watery eyes, nasal congestion, itchy nose, roof of mouth or throat, postnatal drip, cough, facial pressure and pain, frequent awakening, swollen, blue-colored skin under the eyes, and in a child, frequent upward rubbing of the nose.

Here are some tips shared by Mayo Clinic to combat this household problem.

• Use allergen-proof bed covers. Cover the mattress and pillows in dust-proof or allergen-blocking covers.

• Wash bedding weekly. Wash all sheets, blankets, pillowcases and bedcovers in hot water that is at least 1300 F (54.40 C) to kill dust mites and remove allergens.

• Keep humidity low. Maintain a relative humidity between 30 and 50 percent in your home.

• Choose bedding wisely. Avoid bedcovers that trap dust easily and are difficult to clean frequently.

• Buy washable stuffed toys. Wash them often in hot water and dry thoroughly. Also, keep stuffed toys off beds.

• Remove dust. Use a damp or oiled mop or rag rather than dry materials to clean up dust. This prevents dust from becoming airborne and resettling.

• Cut clutter. If it collects dust, it also collects dust mites. Remove knickknacks, tabletop ornaments, books, magazines and newspapers from your bedroom.

• Remove carpeting and other dust mite habitats. Carpeting provides a comfortable habitat for dust mites. If possible, replace wall-to-wall bedroom carpeting with tile, wood, linoleum or vinyl flooring.          

• Use air purifiers. Air purifiers collect airborne dust in your home and can help with controlling dust if you also maintain vigorous cleaning practices. 

• Vacuum regularly. This is where Raycop, the first UVC anti-allergy vacuum plays a big role.

Raycop is the first UVC anti-allergy vacuum cleaner that kills 99 percent of bacteria and eliminates almost 94 percent of dust mites. It is especially designed to clean bed linens and other fabrics, helping create a healthier home by cleaning deep into the household fabrics, mattresses, sofas, chairs, futons, crib, pads, bed sheets, pillows and curtains.

The process of eliminating bacteria and other allergens employed by the vacuum cleaner is through its patented three-step allergy care system. First, the vibrating pad shakes particles and dust mites away from mattresses at a whopping 3,600 times per minute (twice that in some models), making sure that even the most stubborn dust mites are removed.

This is followed by the UVC sterilization lamp that kills bacteria to leave surfaces germ-free. The lamp uses a highly efficient and effective 253.7 nanometer wavelength, the same germicidal ultraviolet wavelength used in hospitals, clinics and laboratories for almost seven decades now.

Finally, the device uses a cartridge filter that captures the larger particles and traps them so they cannot go back to the room.

Distributed by Zinven International Corp., the Raycop UVC anti-allergy vacuum cleaner is available at Rustan’s department stores, S&R, Landmark, Wilcon Builders Libis, and Abenson’s department stores. For more information on Raycop product lines and its outstanding features, visit www.raycop.com.