19 Mar Is Your Mattress Filled with Dust Mites?
There are a lot of creepy crawly things that could be lurking in your bed, and before you think that this is just the stuff of science fiction or horror movies, consider this: the older your mattress is, the more likely you have a host of tiny creatures that are calling it home. These microscopic little critters are called dust mites (not to be confused with bed bugs). If you have not purchased a new mattress from 2 Brothers Mattress in a while, chances are you share your bed with them, and the best way to get rid of them is to get a new mattress.
What is a Dust Mite?
Dust mites are microscopic bugs that like to eat the small flakes of human skin that fall off throughout the day and night. They are only about 0.4 millimeters in length (so you won’t see them with the naked eye) and they thrive in warm, humid environments. The dry weather in Utah makes them less common than in other areas of the country, but the warmth and humidity in your bed make it a more hospitable place than other areas of your home.
Why Should I Worry About Dust Mites?
For most people, dust mites are pretty harmless, although the idea of sharing your bed with small eight-legged creatures that like to feast on your skin can be a little bit unnerving. In most cases they won’t bother you, since they only eat flakes of skin that have fallen off, and they don’t really bite people. However, some people have an allergic reaction to DerP1, a substance found in dust mite feces that can cause breathing and respiration problems, asthma-like symptoms, sinus issues, and eczema.
How Can I Tell if I’m Allergic?
The best way to determine if you have a dust mite allergy is to examine your symptoms. While they can be subtle, try to determine if you have symptoms to get worse or only show up at night, or if you wake up with symptoms that disappear once you’re out of bed. You can also consider getting tested by an allergy doctor.
What Can I Do to Reduce Dust Mites?
People who are not allergic to dust mites do not need to take extreme measures. For most people the best thing to reduce dust mites in your pillows, sheets, and bed is to launder your sheets regularly in hot water, switch out your pillows about once a year, and make sure you buy a new mattress every 5 to 10 years from 2 Brothers Mattress. You can also talk to the sales people at 2 Brothers Mattress about accessories for your bed, such as an allergy-proof slipcover for your pillows and mattress. Depending on the severity of your allergy you may want to vacuum your mattress about once a month as well.
It is also a good idea to keep an eye on your children’s allergies if they are experiencing symptoms at night. A dust mite allergy in children can lead to much more severe conditions, such as asthma, if it progresses. If you think your child might be allergic, consider getting them tested by a doctor.
The best thing you can do to protect yourself and ensure a great night’s sleep is to have clean linens, fresh pillows, and a clean mattress. If yours is getting a little worn out and you think it could be harboring some nighttime creatures, get a new on at 2 Brothers Mattress today.
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