Dust and Dust Mites - What is the Difference?

by Mercia Tapping, President, AllergyBuyersClub.com

Q. Dumb question I know, but what is the difference between dust and dust mites?

INFO LINKS Dust Mite Encasings Overview - view all Dust Mites sold by AllergyBuyersClub.com Dust Mite Encasings Comparison Chart - a comparison with pluses and minuses of all the best Dust Mites Dust Mite Solution Guide - a quick buyers guide of the best recommended products to solve dust mite problems Dust Mite Learning Center - FAQs and articles on solving your dust mite problem

A. Dust is the accumulation of very fine particulates, the kind that you can sometimes see floating around the air when the light streams through the windows late afternoon. It is not healthy to breathe in dirt. Dust mites are live creatures, millions of them that inhabit our bedding, carpets and upholstery. They feed off our dead skin shedding , mostly happening at night. Many of us are allergic to their feces(this is the most common allergy of all).To keep it simple, dust mite covers on your bedding cut off their food source and so they die. Also they tend to thrive in moist environments (over 50% humidity), so even if you have sinus problems do not over humidify your bedroom. The cheapest way to keep dust mites at bay? Keep the air reasonably dry, a 20 or 30 percent level of humidity will do the trick.

First Published: January, 2000
Updated: September 2003

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