WHAT ABOUT HOUSE DUST MITES?

Many people do not realise that it is not the dust mites themselves that create allergies, but their droppings. The increase in asthma and eczema in relation to dust mites may be due, in part, to modern luxuries such as double glazing, fitted carpets and vacuum cleaners.

Until 30 or 40 years ago, people’s homes had windows that allowed the breezes in and floors that were mostly floorboards with a rug or carpet square, or linoleum [or stone flags!]. Housewives used to mop or scrub the floors and take the carpets outside to beat the dust out of them. Mattresses and bedding were hung out of the window to ‘air’ regularly. But recently, more and more people live inhomes that are double glazed. Most houses have fitted carpets in every room as well as divan type mattresses that cannot be easily moved. The result of this is that there is little fresh air circulating, and there are many more places for the house dust mite to hide.

Most Vacuum cleaners only make the problem worse – they may suck up the dust mites from the carpet, but unless there is a very fine filter on the exhaust, much of the dust and droppings will be sprayed right out of the back of the vacuum cleaner!! And what do most people do with the vac once they’ve used it? They put it in a cupboard, complete with dust and droppings in the bag, ready to spray again next time.

House dust mites live in virtually every home – they occupy mattresses, carpets, chairs and other soft furnishings. There are probably millions of them in your bed right now!

SO WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT THEM, APART FROM GO LIVE IN A CAVE?

Doctors and hospitals recommend a number of measures for children and adults with a house dust mite allergy. Special anti-dust mite bedding is available, and it is recommended not to use feather pillows or duvets. Divans should be replaced with old fashioned spring-type beds with a foam mattress that will not harbour dust mites. Soft furnishings should be kept to a minimum and carpets replaced with cork tiles or similar in the bedroom. It is also recommended to wipe all surfaces with a damp cloth every day to remove dust.

But if you don’t want to have to do all this every day, you should perhaps consider seeing a Health Kinesiology practitioner, who will be able to remove the allergy to dust mites using a number of simple energy correcting non-invasive procedures. See www.hk4health.com for more information.