Recent research conducted by Woolcock Institute of Medical Research,
Australia, found dust mite removal and that of their allergens from
carpets during normal vacuum cleaning to be "inconsistent and
incomplete". It showed standard vacuum cleaning to be ineffective as
part of reducing exposure to asthma and allergy triggers.
Carpets are a major source of dustmite allergen and regular vacuuming is one of the most common ways of dust mite control and minimising exposure.
Instead of removing dust mite allergens from the depths of the carpets,
the study results showed that normal vacuuming moved the dustmite
allergen around and within the carpet. According to Woolcock
researchers "The results may help to explain why many trials aimed at
reducing people's exposure to indoor allergens have had limited
success."
The Woolcock study also looked at types of vacuum cleaners. They found
that vacuum cleaners with rotating brushes in the head removed more
dirt and allergen from the carpets than those without, as long as the
suction component of the cleaner is operating properly, preventing dust
being re-circulated back into the air.
"Overseas studies have found that vacuum cleaners with two or three
layer bags performed better than those with a single layer bag. The
maintenance of the cleaner and integrity of seals and gaskets were
important factors in effective cleaning" said Woolcock researchers.
"There are many vacuum cleaners on the market that claim to be suited
to allergy sufferers. The most important aspect to look for is HEPA,
high efficiency particulate air, filtration which is finding its way
into some very affordable models."
An average queen-sized mattress hosts
around 2 million dust mites, feeding on your flaked skin cells,
excreting 20 to 30 faecal pellets, 15 microns in size, twice their body weight, every day. A 6 year old pillow can hold up to a tenth of it's weight in dustmite bodies and faecal matter.
Just consider, each morning you awaken to an extra 40-60 million faecal pellets in your mattress! If dust mites allergy related symptoms are affecting you, encasing mattresses, pillows and doonas may provide welcome relief.
This is the number one most important environmentaldust mite control for dust mite allergic patients. Combined with dust mites mattress protectors, pillow covers are the first line of defense against dust mite allergen for allergic and asthmatic sufferers.
Dust mite mattress protectors can be custom made to provide a proper
fit, avoid movement or material slipping under you whilst lying in bed. Regarding pillow and doona protectors, you buy the standard size that
best fits the item you want to cover. Countries around the world will
have different "standard" sizes. Here at Mitey Fresh we can custom make
dust mite bedding to your measurements.
To find out more specific information about dust mite mattress protectors, click here.
To find out more specific information about dust mite pillow covers, click here.
washing sheets and pillow cases weekly in water hotter than 55oC
covering mattress, pillow and quilt with resistant dust mite proof bedding specifically developed and tested to prevent dust mites entering, or leaving, the bedding.
In your home, the major reservoir of dust mite allergens is your mattress. See what a house dust mite looks like with our dust mites pictures. The depth and complex construction of the mattress means that no amount of vacuuming or dust mite killer sprays or powders will render it free from house dust mite allergy producing allergens.
When you sleep, your nose is pressed up against another major source of dust mite allergen, your pillow.
If you are allergic to dust mites, completely encase mattresses, pillows and doonas with specialised dust mites covers, with a zip, like a sealed envelope, providing effective and complete dust mite prevention.
Choose only those fabrics specifically developed, tested and proven as a barrier against dust mite allergens. Not an inhibitor, but complete dust mite proof bedding. The best choice for severe allergy sufferers is silk bedding as this is completely 100% allergy-free.
The dust mite mattress cover and dust mite pillow covers
need to be air permeable so as air and moisture can transmit readily
through the fabric leaving you cool and comfortable all night long.
It results, in part, from the release of irritant chemicals, such as
histamine, into the body's tissues. The result is hay fever, asthma,
food allergy or hives.
What causes allergy symtoms?
Underneath the lining of the skin, gut, lungs, nose and eyes are mast
cells. These are designed to kill worms and parasites. Mast cells are
like land mines and contain bags filled with irritant chemicals,
including histamine. When these bags of histamine are released in small
amounts, they cause irritation. In larger amounts, they can cause
rashes as in eczema, sneezing as in hay fever, runny nose as in
rhinitis and wheezing as in asthma.
Allergic people have a greater than average tendency to produce IgE antibodies to common environmental substances such as dustmite, pet, mould, food and chemicals. This tendency is inherited. If you have one allergic parent, there is one in three chance of
developing allergies yourself. If both your parents are allergic, the
chances double.
The incidence of allergy has approximately doubled in the last thirty to
forty years in almost every country in which it has been studied.
Don't lose hope... what can you do about it?
The most effective method for reducing risk of illness through allergic
response is to control the source of the trigger that causes the
reaction.
If you have dust mites allergy, dust mite control is essential. Similarly, if you are allergic to pet hair, remove the cause, reduce the risk and the symptoms.
Avoid using toxic dust mite spray
and use mattress cleaning professionals, Mitey Fresh, who understand
dust mites and the environment they live in. Decrease humidity with a dehumidifier hire and reduce dust mites and their allergens in the home.
Cover mattresses with specifically designed and made, dust mites mattress protectors, providing welcome relief from dust mite allergy symptoms such as coughing and runny nose.
There are no known allergies towards silk... it is literally 100% allergy-free! Why? The dustmite refuses to live in it. Silk is excreted from the silk worm gland and spinneret. No bug will
live in another bug's excretion! Silk is also the only fibre that is
recognised to repel dust mites due to the protein fibroin, providing
relief from dust mites allergy. No need to purchase dust mite covers to cover the silks.
Silk has for centuries been synonymous with excellence, opulence,
durability and mystery. Once only available to nobility, it is highly
treasured and appreciated for its smooth feel and gentle warmth. Silk doonas do not deteriorate or break down - high quality silk doonas last years and years.
Silk breathes. Body heat and moisture are not trapped like in other types of doonas, providing
exceptional comfort for either warm or cool sleepers. It will keep you cool in
the summer and warm in the winter. Best of all, a drier environment prevents dust mites, mould, mildew and bacteria breeding.
Silk doonas are light weight, up to half the weight of most quilts for
the same amount of warmth, providing freedom and comfort with ease. You
will notice they are very flexible, contouring to your body and giving
you a very cosy, almost hugged feeling.
Only the highest grade of AAA raw silk is used. Durable and having a
tensile strength greater than steel of the same thickness, silk lasts 3
to 4 times longer than down and yet, so soft and cuddly.
As silk is very smooth, it does not readily attract soil, making it
very easy to clean. Avoid laundering your silk doona unless it is
absolutely necessary.
The advantages are obvious! Silk wins for the best choice of allergy-free bedding, hands down.
An allergy is an over reaction of your immune system to a normally
harmless substance called an allergen. If you are allergic to dustmite, you are sensitive to a very common inhaled allergen trigger - house dust mites and their faeces.
On your first exposure, the inhaled allergen enters the nasal passages lined with mucous membrane.
Here the allergen is taken up by the antigen presenting cell which
presents it to the T cells, recognising the allergen as a foreign body.
These T cells instruct the B cells, type of white blood cell, to
release antibodies called IgE (immunoglobulin E) against the allergen.
On exposure, the allergen binds to the IgE antibodies present on the
mast cells, cross linking them. T cells, B cells and mast cells combine
to ignite the body's immune system response to an allergen.
When you are re-exposed to the same allergen, it attaches itself to antibodies that are stuck outside the mast cells.
And the result? Your annoying allergy symptoms including nasal stuffiness, runny nose, itchy, watery eyes, sneezing and mucous
discharge of allergic rhinitis, wheezing and shortness of breath,
unable to stop coughing, hives, headache and fatigue.
Did you know? The average person breathes 11,000 litres of air a day - that's 7 to 8 litres every minute. No wonder it is so important that the air we breathe is clean! The Congressional Quarterly has claimed that indoor air is often 2-5
times more polluted than outdoor air and can be up to 1000 times as
dirty. Isn't it time to clean the air in your home?
The American
College of Allergists states that 50% of all illnesses are caused or
aggravated by indoor pollution. There are a variety of symptoms associated with polluted air including, but not limited to: colds, flus, rhinitis, sinusitis, hayfever, dust mites allergy and of course when you can't stop coughing. And the list goes on...
So what can we do about it? The answer is air purifiers. Air Purifiers work by reducing
irritating airborne dust, allergens and chemical pollutants and
creating a healthy indoor environment by supplying pure, clean air.
InovaAir purifiers have three speed fan filters which remove pollutants including dust, dustmite,
pollen, bacteria, mould spores, pet dander, chemical pollutants,
volatile organic compounds, traffic fumes, cigarette and fire smoke as well as
odours.
Talking about bedtime, have you thought about who is sharing your bed tonight? I hope it's not our least favourite bed mate, the dust mite.
Most of us know a little about them, maybe you've heard that they can cause allergiesand asthma. Well, I'd like to tell you more, so read on for some info and helpful tips.
In many homes, work places and accommodation facilities, microscopic house dust mites can trigger runny, stuffy noses, red, itchy, watery eyes, coughing and sneezing, severe wheezing, shortness of breath and may bring on asthma symptoms.
To the naked eye, the dustmite looks like a speck of moving dust against a dark background, no more than one third of a millimetre in length when fully grown. See dust mites pictures.
So how does such a microscopic creature, invisible to the naked eye, cause so much discomfort and distress?
Because of their genetic makeup, some people become sensitized to the allergenic proteins which the dust mite produces in their bodies and faeces, and as a consequence, they can develop dust mites allergy and respiratory disorders such as asthma symptoms, rhinitis or eczema.
To the majority of people it causes no stress at all and most people live quite happily with them, unaware of their presence.
In fact, it is estimated that there are one in four Australians, nearly half a million New Zealands and around 100 million people world wide who are sensitive to house dust mites. Look around, if you are sensitive to dust mites, you are certainly not alone.
Even in the cleanest of homes, dust mites inhabit mattresses, pillows, blankets, underblankets, quilts, carpets and all soft fabric covered furniture and windows.
In 2007, the well respected journal Lancet published a study funded by United Kingdom's Food Standards Agency which supported varying degrees of hyperactive behaviour in the children after they consumed fruit drinks containing mixture of food colourings and preservatives.
sunset yellow (E110) a colouring often found in squashes, cakes, yoghurt, chips, hot chocolate mix.
tartrazine (E102) a colouring found in fizzy drinks, lollies and cakes. Appears to cause the most allergic reactions amongst asthmatics.
In the study, a group of 300 children were given one of three drinks - a potent cocktail of additives, one containing roughly the average daily intake for a child their age or a placebo containg none.
Parents of children showing signs of hyperactivity are being advised that eliminating certain artificial food colours from their children's diet may have some beneficial effects on their behaviour. Though simply taking these additives out of food will not prevent hyperactive disorders, there may be many other influences at work here, but at least a child can avoid this one. View article here from Food and Behabiour Research.
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