Spring clean and leave allergies in the dust
Summer is fast approaching, which means allergy season is just around the corner. While many allergy sufferers experience flare-ups from common airborne allergens, such as mould or pollen, our damp, poorly ventilated houses have resulted in New Zealand having some of the highest levels of dust mites in the world, and Aucklanders have it worse than most.
Letitia O’dwyer, chief executive of the Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ, said respiratory diseases affect 700,000 people in New Zealand, with one in eight adults suffering from asthma. While there was no clear number on how many Kiwis suffer specifically from dust mite allergies, O’dwyer said the number was likely to be high.
Where do dust mites thrive?
Dust mites thrive in temperatures of around 20 to 25 degrees Celsius and where the relative humidity is around 70 to 80 per cent.
‘‘These conditions mean that most of New Zealand, and Auckland in particular, is a perfect environment for dust mites to flourish,’’ O’dwyer said.
The mites, which eat human skin scales and other debris, convert these microscopic cells into tiny particles of dust, which is the airborne allergen that causes a reaction.
Dust mites can trigger allergic rhinitis (sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes and throat) and aggravate asthma, thanks to the allergens present in their faecal particles.
The key areas where they take up residence are in bedding, carpet, fabrics, furniture, clothing, and curtains. It is here that they feed on decomposing dander (shed skin particles).
O’dwyer said one reason why dust mites are such an issue in beds is simply the substantial amount of time we spend in bed each day and the close contact we have with our bedding.
‘‘During the night not only do we continue to shed skin but our bodies produce sweat and warmth in bed, creating the ideal humid environment for the dust mite to live in.’’
Mite numbers peak in New Zealand in March and
April, but even in very dry or cold conditions it can take months for allergen levels to fall. So, how to beat them? Here are some expert approved tips.
Dust mites can trigger allergic rhinitis (sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes and throat) and aggravate asthma.
How to beat dust mites
The best way to control dust mites is to prevent the conditions that cause them to multiply. This means reducing dampness and humidity with proper ventilation and minimising or cleaning the areas they like to live.
But as many of us know, that can be easier said than done.
O’dwyer recommends using multiple strategies against mites. Vacuuming carpets and soft furnishings weekly was a good idea, as well as cleaning window coverings (such as blinds and curtains) regularly.
She recommends washing bedding in water hotter than 55C as this would ‘‘kill mites and wash away the allergen they produce’’.
For those who want to protect their bedding for longer, cover mattresses, quilts and pillows with mite-resistant cases.
If you have people with allergies in your household, choosing hard surfaces such as floorboards or tiles over carpets, and leather couches over fabric ones, can help too. However, ensure you use a damp or electrostatic cloth to dust these hard surfaces to really keep things under control.
An effective air purifier (with a Hepa-rated filter), like the Dyson Pure Cool purifying fan, could make a dramatic difference to an allergy sufferer, O’dwyer said.