House dust mite

The house dust mite Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus is an important organism, not because it is a direct pathogen but because of the allergenicity of its faeces.

• hypersensitivity of individuals to the faeces can cause asthma
• the mites live off human skin scales
• found in bedding, furniture, carpets and soft toys
• thrive best in warm, damp conditions (1)

The following measures could be carried out to control the house-dust mites:

• regular vacuuming
• use of materials which are impermeable to mites for covers of mattresses and soft furnishings
• use of hard flooring rather than carpets
• keeping away soft toys from the bedroom
• acaricides applied regularly to soft furnishings
• wash bedding at high temperatures
• damp dusting
• dehumidification

Note:

• although these measures will reduce the number of dust mites, it is not sufficient to have an effect in the control of asthma. Hence these cannot be recommended as a useful, cost-effective strategy based on current evidence (1).

Reference:

• (1) John Rees, Dipak Kanabar, Shriti Pattani. ABC of Asthma, 6th Edition