There’s nothing like curling up under the covers after a long day at the office. It’s the perfect time to open up a book, switch on the radio and just relax.
But probably aren’t alone in bed. And no, I’m not talking about your significant other.
Despite the rigorous cleaning of your hands in the bathroom, germs still manage to make their way into bed with you.
In fact, up to 45% of homes could be contaminated with dust mite allergens that exceed levels associated with allergic reactions.
And in one square yard of your bed there could be up to 100,000 mites.
So what’s the problem?
Well dust mites can affect young children, sufferers of eczema, and can make life difficult for people with hayfever and asthma.
‘But they’re tiny. How can I tell if I have them?’
Well, as with anything that can affect health, there are symptoms to keep your eye out for. Itchy eyes, a runny nose, and clogging of the ear canals are just 3. But you might not suffer these problems throughout the day. It’s only when you lay your head to rest do the problems occur.
What can you do about them?
The first thing you should be doing is regularly cleaning your bedding. You should wash the sheets at a temperature of at least 60°C. That should remove the mites.
You can also look out for anti-allergy bedding. This will also help keep the mites at bay. It’s also a good idea to keep moisture in the bedroom to a minimum. Dust mites need moisture in the air to survive.
It’s also said that you should change your mattress every 8 years. We release half a pint of moisture every night in our sleep. So over time, your bed will become a haven for the little critters.
Don’t let mites control your night’s sleep and follow the above!