Dust Mite Attack Dust Mite Attack Going on the offensive against dust mites may help asthma patients breathe easier. Asthma is an inflammation of the airways that causes difficulty breathing.
Doctors believe that it is primarily aggravated by inhaling allergens.
Two groups of patients had their homes adjusted, with carpets removed and mattresses and pillows covered. In one group, the bare floors were sprayed for mites and the bedding covers were impermeable to mites. With the other group, the floors were sprayed only with water, and ordinary cloth covers were used on pillows and mattresses. In both groups, the number of allergens children were exposed to dropped. But the group that had more active efforts to control dust mites had an increase in respiratory flow rate, the measure used to rate asthma patients' lung function.