Allergist warned about the danger of dust mites in pillows

Household dust mites in pillows are becoming a common cause of allergies and serious respiratory diseases. On February 16, Selma Arshba, a pediatric allergist and immunologist at the Soft Medical Center, told Izvestia.

According to the allergist, it is the European and North American dust mites of the Dermatophagoidas type in pillows that are a common cause of allergic reactions. These microscopic organisms, measuring 0.2–0.5 mm, cannot be noticed without special equipment, but they actively reproduce in bedding where there is heat and particles of human or animal epithelium.

As the doctor notes, allergies occur not only to the ticks themselves, but also to their waste products. For example, the fecal balls of parasites have proteolytic activity, which allows them to literally dissolve the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract of humans. As a result, people with predisposition develop diseases such as allergic rhinitis or bronchial asthma.

As Arshba emphasized, experts recommend that people with a diagnosis use bedding made of synthetic materials, such as holofiber or artificial fluff. Such fillers lack a favorable environment for the nutrition and reproduction of ticks. In addition, when buying, it is important to pay attention to the label "hypoallergenic" and avoid natural ingredients such as wool or feather down.

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"The filler should not contain natural materials such as wool or down. This is where the house dust mite breeds well. These fillers create such optimal conditions for humidity and heat, plus there are some protein components that house dust mites feed on," she said.

To reduce the concentration of allergens, it is necessary to use air purifiers regularly, the doctor added. In addition, allergy sufferers are advised to change pillows and blankets more often — about once a year, as over time they accumulate biological fluids that contribute to the growth of the tick population. An important element of care remains ventilation, shaking and the use of steam generators.

"In everyday life, they need to be properly cared for, whipped, ventilated. They used to take it out in the sun and dry it. That is, the more air gets there, the less likely it is that the house dust mite will multiply there," the specialist explained.

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