The dust mite feeds on human skin scales and is more prolific in damp houses than in dry ones. The faecal pellets or droppings are the trigger for allergic reactions. During their three month life cycle each dust mite will lay 20 to 40 eggs and produce up to 2000 droppings. This causes the concentration of dust mite allergen in a room to increase very rapidly. Dust mite allergen can be a trigger for respiratory problems such as asthma and rhinitis and is also thought to be a factor in atopic eczema.
Dust mites can also be a factor in environmental illness.
A multi-faceted approach to control of the house dust mite is essential. No one single measure can reduce symptoms or eliminate house dust mites completely. The Healthy House offers a wide range of products to counteract the effects of the house dust mite. These include dust mite and allergen control sprays, dust mite proof barrier cases, untreated cotton bedding that can be washed at 60 degrees, the Medibed pillow, the Morpheus cotton duvet washable at 90 degrees and the Domena Actiplus hand held steam cleaner.