Dust Mites & Asthma: What You Need to Know (And How to Protect Your Home)

What Are Dust Mites?

Dust mites are microscopic bugs that live in virtually every home yes, even the cleanest ones. These tiny creatures are invisible to the naked eye, but they’re far from harmless. They feed on human skin flakes and mould spores, thriving in warm, humid environments. You’ll most commonly find them hiding in bedding, pillows, mattresses, carpets, upholstered furniture, and even in your child’s favourite cuddly toys.

How Do Dust Mites Affect Asthma?

For those sensitive to allergens, dust mites can be a real problem. It's not the mites themselves that cause the reaction, but their droppings and decomposed body parts. These microscopic particles easily become airborne especially when you walk on carpets or fluff a pillow and are then inhaled.

For people with asthma, this can trigger symptoms like coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. In fact, exposure to dust mite allergens is a leading cause of asthma flare-ups. Children, in particular, may even develop asthma after prolonged exposure, despite having no prior allergic symptoms.

How Can You Reduce Dust Mites in Your Home?

The good news is, you can take effective steps to drastically reduce dust mite allergens in your home:

  • Wash bedding weekly in hot water (at least 60°C) to kill mites. Make sure everything is completely dry before putting it back on the bed.
  • Wash soft toys regularly especially your child’s favourite ones. Again, hot water and thorough drying are essential.
  • Use allergen-proof covers on your pillows and mattresses to block mites from taking hold.
  • Vacuum carpets and upholstered furniture frequently, ideally with a vacuum cleaner that uses a HEPA filter.
  • Keep humidity levels low in your home. Dust mites love moisture, so using a dehumidifier can help.

Tip: If you or a family member has asthma, it’s a good idea for the sufferer to leave the room while vacuuming or dusting is underway.

Take It Further with an Air Purifier

While these steps will go a long way toward controlling dust mites, adding a high-quality air purifier to your home can take things to the next level. A well-chosen air purifier will continuously filter the air in your space, trapping airborne allergens like dust mite particles, pollen, pet dander, and more.

The right air purifier can recirculate the air in a room through a HEPA filter as often as every 12 minutes, quickly removing allergens before they have a chance to settle.

Here are a couple of excellent options:

  • For the living room: The Blueair CP7i is a fantastic choice. It’s powerful, efficient, and quiet ideal for busy family spaces.
  • For the bedroom: The 3250i is ideal. It is almost silent and comes highly recommended as a budget unit for asthma and allergy sufferers.

Need Help Choosing?

If you’re unsure which air purifier is right for your home or allergy needs, we’re always here to help. Call us on 01207 507444 and our team will be happy to guide you toward the best solution.

Breathe easier. Sleep better. Live healthier.

Back to blog