Dust Mite Mattress and Pillow Covers for Allergies

Articles On Dust Mites

Each adult person sheds about one and a half grams of skin every day. Dust mites are microscopic creatures that can live in your bedding and carpets and feed on this skin.

Sound icky? It does explain why dust mite-proof pillow and mattress covers are your first line of defense against dust allergies!

Facts About Dust Mites

Dust mites are everywhere -- anywhere there are people or animals, warm temperatures, and high humidity. They like to be indoors, where they can get plenty of food like mold spores and dead skin cells from people and pets.

If you are sensitive or allergic to them, you may have:

1. Watery, red eyes
2. Runny or itchy nose and sneezing
3. Sore throat or hoarse voice
4. Coughing and other breathing problems
5. Skin rash and itching
6. Worsening of your asthma

Dust mites settle down in carpet, draperies, stuffed animals, and upholstered furniture. Mattresses, pillows, and soft bedding are favorite hangouts.

Dust Mite-Proof Covers

Dust mite covers really work. One study found that some kids with asthma need less asthma medicine when they used mattress and pillow covers. Tests of their mattresses showed that dust mites colonies there dwindled. But never decrease your asthma medicine unless instructed by your doctor.

You can find dust mite covers for mattresses, pillows, and box springs at mattress and allergy supply stores and in a variety of materials.

• Plastic or vinyl covers with zippers help seal in allergens so you don't inhale them when sleeping.
• Plastic or vinyl covers are easier to keep clean than covers made of natural fibers.
• Many plastic covers have an outer layer of material like nylon to make them more comfortable.
• If possible, cover your mattress and pillows when they are new.
• Put duct tape or electrical tape over cover zippers to double- block dust-mites from coming and going.

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