For the Curious: Quick Answers to Key Questions

If you want to find out more about the dust mite, the articles below delve deeper into the complex world of this microscopic creature.

A scent that makes dust mites panic

The chemical that makes house dust mites gather together in defense has been identified as neryl formate, a common scent used in foods and perfumes.

Allergy, house dust mites (HDM) and children

Exposure to house dust mites (HDM) is recognised as a major cause of allergy, especially in children. Common allergic diseases in childhood are eczema, rhinitis (hayfever) and asthma.

Allergy testing - skin or blood - which one is best?

Doctors say; 'A diagnosis of an allergic disease is not complete until the trigger or triggers of the reaction are identified'. There are two common clinical ways to test for allergy triggers.

How to keep house dust mites (HDM) out of beds

These step-by-step instructions will tell you how to eliminate or reduce allergy causing house dust mites (HDM) from a bed. Read carefully because beds are a favourite hiding place.

Children at risk from dust mite allergy and poor sleep

Doctors and child psychiatrists looked at the harm from poor sleeping patterns in children and identified active allergies as a risk. They coined the phrase, 'a need for good sleep hygiene'.

Clinical success in mite avoidance

Inner city asthmatic children were individually tested for allergy triggers. Once identified they were then taught how to reduce exposure and given various interventions.

Describing the best anti-mite fabric

Researchers recommend that the customer looks for a product with a thread count greater than 246/in2 (threads per square inch) in a smooth fabric made from twisted cotton or synthetic fibres.

Diesel dust can carry mite allergens into lungs

Ultra-fine diesel particles from traffic can carry toxic metals, grass pollen and house dust mite allergens deep into lungs.

Dogs can suffer from house dust mite allergy

Allergic dermatitis in dogs can be caused by allergens from house dust mites. The allergens are enzymes designed to breakdown chitin found in the outer shell of many animals.

Dust mites and disease - quick review

Listed below are ten bite-size facts covering mite biology, where they live, and why they cause allergy. It ends with advice on how to kill mites.

Dust mites can drown in a normal wash

Although dust mites are not killed by a normal wash at 30°C, studies have shown that they do not survive being submerged for 24 hours as they are unable to surface for oxygen.

Glue Ear chronic otitis media and the mite

Chronic perennial allergic rhinitis and chronic otitis media with effusion (OME) can be caused by an allergy to house dust mites. New research describes a pathway from HDM exposure towards OME.

House dust mite droppings hold a secret

The net or membrane that holds a house dust mite dropping together is a semi-permeable network of fibres that contains proteins and a tough protective material called chitin.

House dust mites as a cause of food allergy

If you think house dust mite allergies and food allergies are separate, think again! An allergen from the mite has been found in poorly stored wheat flour and in the human gut.

House dust mite's life cycle

A female house dust mite may lay 1 to 3 eggs a day. After 6 to 12 days the egg will hatch producing a six-legged larva which will feed then pass through 2 nymphal stages.

House dust mite droppings recycle fungi

Living in an old mattress doctors found several allergy causing mite colonies plus twenty-six different species of fungus. A mite's gut is not toxic enough to kill all fungi.

Infant Health Risks: A Gap in Safe Sleep Guidelines

For over 30 years, research has demonstrated that excessive exposure to dust mite body parts and droppings can significantly increase the risk of allergic diseases in infants.

House dust mites were once mange mites

Millions of years ago the house dust mite and the sheep scab mite lived together as parasites. At some stage the house dust mite became a scavenger.

Mites, domestic, storage and house dust

What's the difference? A short description of common mites that can be found indoors in many places around the world. They have different appetites and different needs.

Importance of Allergy Patch Testing

Allergic reactions to house dust mites can happen immediately or be delayed by several hours causing confusion in identifying the cause of a reaction. Allergy testing can help.

Pancake Syndrome - Oral anaphylaxis from mite ingestion

Clinical reports document cases of severe allergic reactions from baked food made with mite infested wheat flour. It is called 'Pancake Syndrome'.

Ozone, photocopiers, asthma and mites

Ozone is an unstable gas and health risk for patients with lung conditions. For house dust mite allergic asthma patients, avoidance of both mite and ozone exposure is recommended.

Parasite like functions of the house dust mite

The parasitic mange-like attributes of the scavenging house dust mite were ‘unknowingly’ defined by scientists in 1998, but the link wasn't made until 2013.

Photo shows house dust mite tricks for its survival

A series of close-up images reveal the specialized structures house dust mites use to survive in arid conditions.

Interesting photos of adult house dust mites

Presented here are five different photographs of adult house dust mites accompanied with facts of interest. They are here to encourage the study of mites in schools.

Random tweets about house dust mites

Presented here are random Tweets posted on @housedustmite. They are part of a collection of over 2,652 tweets about dust mites, how they live and die and the diseases they cause.

Report on a historic HDM avoidance study

In 1990 UK scientists designed a clinical study to identify 120 babies 'at risk from asthma' at birth. The infants came from parents with a history of asthma or allergic disease.

Seven different dust mite species found living in an old mattress

By cutting core sections from an old box-spring mattress a scientist found seven different species of mite infestations.

Six kinds of asthma, dust mites can affect them all

The six different types of asthma are: allergic; occupational; steroid resistant; drug related; exercise induced and asthma related to obesity. Mites can impact all of these.

Skin prick testing - examples of allergic reactions

Below are photographs of allergy testing for common indoor allergens. These examples demonstrate the results of skin prick testing in allergy.

House dust mites (HDM), a risk to sleep

An active allergy to house dust mites can interfere with breath and sleep. Wheezing, sneezing or itching, caused by an allergic reaction, is a known risk to sleep.

The amazing and harmful enzyme from mites: Der p 1

One of the mite's major allergens is an aggressive digestive enzyme that can attack and melt the 'glue' that binds delicate cells together.

What doctors found in house dust mite droppings - a review

Thirty-three years ago scientists investigated the contents of house dust mite droppings. They found two species of fungus along with an active digestive enzyme.

What scientists say is best about mite proof material

To block house dust mites from entering a fabric researchers recommend that the customer looks for a product with a thread count greater than 246/in2.

Why house dust mites (HDM) cause allergy

The mite's enzyme is so powerful that it can actually kill cells causing a breach in the body's defences. In mite sensitive people the enzyme's attack results in an immune reaction.

Why house dust mites eat skin scales

A newly discarded skin scale is not considered food for a hungry house dust mite. It must become swollen with water, carry bacteria, microorganisms, yeasts and fats.

Why house dust mites thrive on discarded skin scales

Although house dust mites can survive without eating skin scales they are their favourite food. The reason is because a decomposing scale offers the mite a ready-made plateful of nourishing foods.

Why ventilate your home against house dust mites?

House dust is a complex mixture containing many different foreign proteins. Ventilation, combined with controlled humidity is key to controlling the levels of dust exposure.