Does Taking a Shower Remove Dust Mites?

If the thought of thousands of dust mites living in your bed makes you want to run for the shower to stop your skin from crawling, think twice. Showering will clean your skin, but it could make your dust mite problem worse.

Dust mites can cause allergic reactions in people who are exposed to them or their feces. Dust mites to not live on your skin. Instead, they are found inside furniture, carpets, and mattresses, according to the book "Current Therapy in Allergy, Immunology, and Rheumatology."

Showering will wash away any stray dust mite from your skin. It could also help relieve allergies by washing off any allergens clinging to your skin or hair. However, excessive showering can raise the level of humidity in a house, and dust mites thrive in a humid environment. This means a lot of showers could make your dust mite problem worse.

You can reduce your exposure to dust mites in your home by keeping humidity low. Replace upholstered furniture with leather or wood. Removing carpets and replacing them with hardwood or vinyl can help. If you do shower to remove allergens, be sure the bathroom is well ventilated to avoid moisture buildup.