It was realized by our great grandparents that when carpets remained on the floors during the rainy summer months, they would eventually contribute to some undefined emanations that would elicit illness and discomfort. We now know that carpeting becomes reservoirs for mites and other insect contamination. Unfortunately, with most homes in the United States, wall-to-wall carpeting is the standard.
Mites are ugly critters that are, alas, an inseparable part of environment. Nearly one thousand of these microscopic creatures live on each of us. They consume skin scales. The highest counts in our environment are in our homes, especially in our beds, carpets, upholstered furniture and even stuffed toys.
According to a recent article in the New England Journal of Medicine, mite contamination in the home has been directly correlated with the duration and severity of asthma, especially in children. Its role as a contributor to indoor nasal allergies was previously established.
Typically, very little mite material is found circulating in the air, as is the case with mold and animal allergens and a major irritant - tobacco smoke. Mites especially flourish in areas where the humidity is above 40%. Unfortunately, it has been very difficult in the past to remove mite contamination from our environment. Expensive vacuum cleaners don't seem help much, and neither do air cleaners, although they may play a role in treating other allergies.
Recommendation:
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The most practical advice to lessen the effect of mite allergy would be to concentrate on reducing the mite population in the bedroom. Plastic mattress and pillow covers are the minimum. More expensive measures, such as removing all carpeting, upholstered furniture, drapes, and stuffed animal combined with weekly cleaning of floors and walls, should be tempered by the severity of the patient's problems. A child with unremitting Asthma, influenced by mite allergy, may benefit by strict adherence to such extensive measures, whole milder conditions may not warrant such labors and spartan living |
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A relatively new, non-toxic compound, Acarosan (benzyl benzoate), has been shown to be effective in killing mites in carpets for up to six months. Although expensive, it may play a beneficial role, especially in younger asthmatic children who skin test positive to mites. A standard size room cost approximately $25 to treat. Reapplication is recommended every 3 - 6 months. |
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In addition to Acarosan, Allergy Control Solution (3% tannic) applied to upholstered furniture and mattresses every 1- 3 months is additionally necessary to remove this source of mites. A 32 oz. bottle costs around $25. |
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