Useful For Home RIDDEX Bed Bug Zapper

What are mites?
Mites are microscopical spiders the size of 200u. In particular, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae (Fig. 1), living in house dust, they are important agents responsible for allergic disorders.

These mites live in house dust and in beddings like mattresses, blanket and pillows, feeding on epithelial dander.

What is house dust mite allergy?
House mite allergy is a hypersensitive reaction to proteins in the excretion of dust mites. The protein attacks the respiratory passages causing hay fever and asthma. It will aggravate dermatitis in people who have a tendency to this problem.

House dust mites (Fig. 2) are found in all homes. They are microscopic organisms that thrive in warm and humid houses with lots of food - human skin. The mites prefer to live in beds and, because we spend about a third of the day in bed, we inhale large quantities of dust mite allergens.

How do you become allergic to house dust mites?
The excretion of the mites (Fig. 3) contains a number of protein substances. When these are inhaled or touch the skin, the body produces antibodies. These antibodies cause the release of a chemical called histamine that leads to swelling and irritation of the upper respiratory passages - typical asthma and hay fever symptoms.

Unlike pollen, dust mites are present all year round causing constant allergy - 'perennial' allergic rhinitis. The excretion from the mites dries out and can be launched into the air when someone walks over a rug, sits down in a chair, or shakes the bed clothes, giving allergic people immediate symptoms.

What are the symptoms of house dust mite allergy?
- Hay fever, runny nose, itching, sneezing.
- Watering eyes.
- Asthma, difficulty in breathing.
- Infantile eczema (a skin disease) may get worse.