Hygiene plays an important role in our health and in our lives. Every day we go to bed with clean sheets, thinking our beds are clean. However, we don’t realize that millions of tiny mites live in our mattresses.
But what are mites?
Mites are insects related to spiders, but they are so small that they need to be seen with a microscope. These insects live in dust and feed on dead human skin cells. They thrive in warm, humid environments, so they lodge in clothing, furniture, and carpets.
Some of the diseases that these insects cause are:
- Allergic rhinitis: This disease consists of irritation of the membranes of the nose, irritation that is caused by the dust in which mites live.
- Conjunctivitis : This disease causes itching and burning in the eyes.
- Asthma : This is a respiratory disease that is triggered when allergens such as dust mites are inhaled.
- Atopic dermatitis : Also known as eczema, it is an allergic skin reaction caused by contact with mites.
If you have a dust mite allergy, these can contribute to asthma attacks, so you may also suffer from:
- Difficulty breathing.
- Chest tightness.
- Trouble sleeping due to difficulty breathing.
- An episode of coughing or wheezing, which only worsens with a respiratory virus, such as a cold or the flu.
- A whistling or whistling sound that can be heard when exhaling.
