| It is estimated that over 50 million Americans suffer | | | | kill dust mites because they actually live in mattresses |
| from allergies, and of that number approximately 30 | | | | and pillows, not in the sheets or pillowcases that are |
| million American suffer from asthma. While there can | | | | being washed. |
| be many different allergic triggers that cause | | | | One way to kill dust mites is to either freeze or heat |
| respiratory allergies and asthma, one such allergic toxin | | | | up your mattresses and pillows to 140 degrees |
| naturally occurs in every bed and pillow, dust mites. Not | | | | Fahrenheit. This has to be done for over an hour and |
| only do dust mites and their droppings cause | | | | needs to be repeated frequently, as dust mites |
| symptoms such as red itchy eyes, sinus irritation and | | | | reproduce in less than a five week span. However, |
| breathing difficulties, they can also lead to a full blown | | | | constantly burning and freezing a pillow or mattress is |
| asthma attack, even worse during the time your body | | | | dangerous and cumbersome, if not downright |
| is trying to rejuvenate itself, while you sleep. It is well | | | | impossible (you'd need access to a meat locker to |
| documented that a disproportionate percentage of | | | | freeze a king-size mattress). Additionally, dust mites |
| asthma attacks that result in fatality occur during the | | | | are not confined to your mattress or pillow, as they |
| hours we typically sleep, 12am to 6am. This is a direct | | | | can be transported via minor air currents created by |
| result of allergens, dust mites and their droppings, and | | | | normal household activities. |
| other micro toxins which build up over time in our | | | | Vacuuming your mattress or pillows also bears little |
| mattresses, pillows, box springs, and duvets. | | | | effect, as dust mites have the ability to climb deep |
| It's a fact: the average person spends a third of their | | | | within your mattresses' fabric. Put simply, cleaning, |
| life (220,000 hours) in bed. Coupled with the reality that | | | | washing or vacuuming will not rid the average |
| the average mattress can contain millions of dust | | | | American household of dust mites and their enormous |
| mites and the implications are worrisome - those | | | | amounts of dust mite excretions. |
| millions of microscopic dust mites can cause a little | | | | With over 50 million Americans suffering from allergies |
| more than a few irritations over a lifetime. | | | | or asthma, finding a sustainable method to combat the |
| Here are a few more dust mite facts: | | | | dust mite problem has to become a priority for |
| - One dust mite will produce 20 waste droppings in a | | | | households across the country. |
| single day and females can produce upwards of 2000 | | | | Encasing your mattress and pillows in |
| fecal particles during their lifetime. | | | | allergen-impermeable mattress encasements and |
| - Dust mite droppings are small enough to get lodged in | | | | pillow covers is the most simple and realistic way to |
| a human lung's bronchial tube, which results in asthma | | | | protect your sleep. These encasements will trap |
| and skin irritation. | | | | existing dust mites inside your mattress and pillows and |
| - Ten percent of the weight of a two-year-old pillow | | | | protect you from future dust mite infestations. It should |
| can be attributed to deceased dust mites and their | | | | be noted that one should search for an allergen |
| excretions. | | | | bedding product that has a pore size of less than one |
| - Since they do not drink water but instead absorb | | | | micron to insure the highest level of protection from |
| moisture thru their shell, humid climates and seasons | | | | these known micro toxins. |
| allow them to breed and thrive at a much higher rate. | | | | Allergen-impermeable mattress encasements and |
| - The average life span of a female dust mite is ten | | | | pillow covers are relatively inexpensive and are widely |
| weeks; during this time she will lay 60 to 100 eggs. | | | | available online and in most large or chain stores. |
| Many families assume that simply washing their sheets | | | | These bedding encasements offer protection against |
| once a week will solve the dust mite problem. This | | | | dust mites, and help avoid allergy outbreaks and |
| assumption is wrong in that bleach and soaps do not | | | | asthma attacks. |