Allergies to Dust Mites & Feathers

Darryl Zeldin, director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Services, estimates that 18 to 30 percent of Americans have allergies to dust mites and almost half of American homes have allergen levels high enough to trigger dust mite sensitivity. William Oklowski, author of Common-Sense Pest Control, says that dust mites may contribute to asthma in 50 to 80 percent of cases as well as play a role in other allergic conditions such as eczema and hay fever. Feathers, on the other hand, are not very potent allergens, says Dr. Michael Kaliner, president of the World Allergy Organization. Feather "does support dust mites," he says, "so it's a very good place for them to live."

What are Dust Mites?

Humans shed 10 g of skin cells every week.

Dust mites are microscopic creatures that live on dead skin cells shed by people and pets, according to Environmental Health and Safety Online (EHSO). Humans shed about 10 g of skin cells every week and cats and dogs shed far more, providing an abundant food source for the ever-present mite.

Where are Dust Mites?

Mattresses and pillows are concentrated sources of bed mites.

Dead skin cells or dander make up 80 percent of the "dust" you see floating in a sunbeam and they're concentrated in mattresses, often-used furniture and carpeting around these areas. A mattress can contain 100,000 to 10 million mites, according to EHSO. Ten percent of a 2-year-old pillow's weight is that of dust mites and their waste products and nearly 100,000 mites can live in one yard of carpeting.

Allergic Reactions to Dust Mites

Red, itchy eyes may be a sign of a dust mite allergy.

The proteins from dander and digested skin cells in dust mite waste can cause reactions from itchy eyes to asthmatic attacks. EHSO lists possible reactions as breathing difficulties, cough, frequent night wakening, hay fever, infant eczema, itchy, red or watery eyes, itchy nose, mouth or throat, nasal congestion or a runny nose, postnasal drip, sinus pressure and sneezing. Rarely, adults may develop a rash around the neck.

Symptoms worsen when houses are closed up, when temperatures are high and when indoor humidity rises.

Feathers

Feathers are not a strong allergen.

Bird feathers can sometimes trigger allergic symptoms, according to the Allergy Clinic website, but feather allergies are suspected far more often than they've been proven. Down and feather-filled pillows and bedding are thought to encourage dust mite growth, but in a study published in The British Medical Journal, New Zealand researchers found that after six months of use, pillows filled with synthetic fiber harbored eight times more dust mites than those filled with feathers.

Kaliner says that regular laundering and hypoallergenic pillow casings can reduce exposure to dust mites.

Reducing Exposure

Use a wet cloth rather than a dry duster.

Enclosing your mattress and pillows in allergy-proofed coverings is the most effective method of reducing your exposure to dust mites. So is regular vacuuming of your pillows and bed. You can also put a plastic or urethane cover over your mattress, according to Consumer Reports.

Launder your bedding every week or at least biweekly in very hot water or buy a cold-water, dust-mite-killing laundry additive. Wash stuffed animals and curtains regularly, too.

Dust mites prefer warm and humid environments so keep temperatures and humidity low. Clean, dust and vacuum often and use moisture to dust and do floors. Use air purifiers and make sure you have proper ventilation, and clean air conditioning filters and furnace filters often.

References

• Environment, Health and Safety Online: Dust Mites--Everything You Might Not Want to Know!
• USA Today: No Feathers Please--Coping With Allergies on the Road
• Allergy Clinic: Allergy to Feathers
• Journal Watch: Asthma Sufferers--Feather or Synthetic Pillows?