Dust mite is a microscopic representative of the animal world inaccessible to the human eye. Favorable breeding grounds are dark and gloomy corners, mostly among the dust, and the main habitat is people's dwelling.
The first dust mites were found in apartments several hundred years ago. It is assumed that they were brought with feathers and down poultry. Dust mites are the causative agents of a fairly dangerous disease - bronchial asthma.
From the article, you will learn what symptoms a dust mite bites cause, how they look on a human body and can look at an insect's photo under a microscope.
Brief description of insects
Science has more than 150 species of dust mite. The most common are pyroglyphid and barn species, which are classified as domestic ticks.
The diet of these individuals - dead cells of the epidermis, falling away from human skin, particles of dandruff, as well as a pile of woolen carpets, blankets, rugs. They prefer to conduct their livelihoods in the dusty corners of the dwelling, in the accumulation of old clothes, mattresses, in furniture upholstery, on bookshelves ...
Their size
The size of one specimen is from 0.1 mm, but some species can reach 0.5 mm. In one gram of dust can live up to one hundred dust mites.
What do they look like?
Parasites
Dust mite cannot be detected and viewed with a normal human eye. But under a microscope or under a magnifying glass, an adult individual looks frightening. Her appearance resembles a plump yellow-brown spider with eight sharp paws, each of which contains a sucker to hold the calf on the surface. Pincers cling so firmly with their paws to objects that it is impossible to throw them off their clothes or bed even with a strong shaking. Vacuum in the fight with these animals as powerless.
Bites
Do they bite? Dust mites are so small that a person can not feel their presence on the body and feel the bites. The only danger from these creatures is that with large concentrations, they are quite capable of causing allergies in humans.
If you are allergic to bites, do not brush the damaged areas, in order to avoid spreading the skin to other areas.
The affected area should immediately be treated with soap or soda solution, also antiseptic.
In order to reduce itching and inflammation use:
- essential oil of conifers, wormwood, lavender, mint, cypress;
- vinegar;
- freshly brewed black or green tea bags;
- You can drink a few tablets of activated charcoal.
ATTENTION! The proposed remedies have a softening effect on the skin, reduce itching, but do not cure allergy symptoms.
For treatment, you need to visit a doctor and drink a course of prescribed medications. Among them are the most effective drugs:
- Akriderm.
- Tsindol.
- Afloderm.
- Tavegil.
- Ofloderm.
A photo
Next you can see the photo of bites on the human body, as well as how the insect looks under the microscope.
Step by step instructions on how to detect them.
In the apartment
In the apartment to find dust mites is problematic. Because of their microscopic size, it is impossible to see them, but these creatures dwell in various quantities wherever people live. If a person does not have any allergic reactions, most likely the concentration of ticks in his apartment is small. The owner may not even be aware of the existence of these parasites in his home. If any unusual reactions of the body to inhaled dust appear, it can be assumed that uninvited guests live in the apartment.
If you suspect the existence of parasites in the apartment, you can purchase special test at the pharmacy - strips that can easily detect dust mite allergens and determine their number. In addition, you can invite a special team engaged in the fight against parasites. Specialists will take samples of dust and, in case of detection of parasites, they will conduct a complete disinfection of the dwelling.
On the skin
A person on the ground bites can detect edema and redness in the form of hilly acne, there is intolerable itching in the affected area. Allergy-sensitive people have red eyes and a headache, and a feeling of fatigue.
Dust mite bites in addition to allergic reactions can contribute to the manifestation of:
- asthma;
- inflammations of the mucosa and larynx;
- dermatitis;
- conjunctivitis.
Destruction
If you find dust mites in your apartment, you must apply the following measures to destroy them:
- Regular wet cleaning of the room with saline or bleach.
- Airing rooms, including by setting the hood.
- Drying of bedding and carpets.
Cultivation of indoor plants is considered a good remedy against the reproduction of parasites. which effectively remove dust from the air: chlorophytum, rubber plants, geranium, spathiphyllum.
In addition, you must purchase one of the following chemicals at the pharmacy:
- Any anti-allergy spray. Processing is carried out on all hard-to-reach places, with strict adherence to instructions and precautionary measures.
- Special shampoos. They are added to water when washing floors and cleaning carpets.
- Suspensions. Used as an additive when washing things.
Conclusion
Dust mites quite easily adapt to favorable living conditions in apartments. You can live with them for years and never suspect their existence. But if you are allergic to insects, it is necessary to make a complete disinfection of the home and drink the necessary medicines to prevent the symptoms of allergy.
