Four ways to reduce dust in your home

Your home is supposed to be your haven, but dust mites can create havoc if you have a dust allergy. Here are four top ways to ditch the dust.

Dust. Mite. Two simple four-letter words, but for anyone with dust allergy, they pack an awfully big punch.

A dust-mite allergy¹ is an allergic reaction to the tiny bugs that commonly live in house dust.

Close relatives of ticks and spiders and too small to see without a microscope, dust mites feed on dead skin and hair cells and are commonly found in mattresses, bedding, upholstered furnishings and curtains.

Dust mites don’t bite or sting, however their bodies contain a strong allergen, and they also shed droppings and skin.

What are the signs of dust mite allergy?

Signs² of dust mite allergy are similar to hay fever, including sneezing, itchy or watery eyes and a runny nose.

Many people with dust mite allergy may also experience respiratory symptoms such as wheezing, coughing and breathlessness.

With almost 20 per cent³ of the Australian population suffering from dust allergy and 35 per cent⁴ of those not treating them, many people aren’t living their best life.

How to keep dust mites at bay

Here are some ways you can help to reduce the number of dust mites and their allergens, as well as to control dust allergy symptoms:

1. Start in the bedroom

Wash sheets and pillowcases every week in water hotter than 60°C (or try washing products with tea tree or eucalyptus oil).

Use dust mite-resistant protective covers on your mattress, doona and pillows.

Avoid using sheepskin underlays and remove any extra pillows and soft toys from your bed.

2. Choose easy-to-clean window coverings

Replace fabric curtains with venetian blinds or shutters to make them easier to clean if possible. If not, regularly wash curtains.

3. Clean regularly

Vacuuming won’t completely remove all dust mites because they burrow deep into thick carpet.

However, it will reduce their numbers so run your vacuum cleaner over your floors at least once a week.

It’s easier to vacuum dust mites and droppings from hard-surface floors, and high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter vacuum cleaners may remove more allergens.

Get rid of any clutter where dust collects and use a damp cloth to dust hard surfaces.

Opt for vinyl or leather lounges rather than fabric where you can.

4. Keep temps moderate

Use an air conditioner or dehumidifier to keep the relative humidity in your house between 30 and 50 per cent (dust mites love humid conditions⁵).

How to relieve symptoms of dust allergies

There’s no need to suffer in silence if dust mites are causing you discomfort.

Telfast 60mg tablets work fast to relieve dust allergy symptoms such as sneezing, itchy, watery or red eyes, and itchy, blocked or runny nose.

Telfast 60mg is a non-sedating antihistamine, which means it doesn’t make you drowsy or slow down your reactions. Giving you more energy to keep the mites at bay!

* This post is brought to you by Telfast. Always read the label and follow the directions for use. Ask your pharmacist about this medicine.

¹ https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/dust-mites#health

² https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/house-dust-mite

³ https://www.health.vic.gov.au/chief-health-officer/allergies

⁴ Independent market research conducted by Sanofi, data on file.

⁴ https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/allergies/allergy-to-dust-mites/