If you were given the opportunity to choose an insect to sleep with all night, surely you would not do it. But even without knowing it, you count on these insects living in your sheets and can affect your lungs , and we don’t even see them.

Scientifically, if every morning immediately after waking up, a person makes their bed, they will be trapping millions of them between the sheets. Among the types of mites , we have dust mites that live in your bed and feed on dead skin cells and sweat, and as a result you will be exposed to asthma and allergy problems.

What are mites?

These insects are common inhabitants of any room and as a preference, they accumulate in bedrooms. All bed mattresses represent an ideal place to become a refuge for the mite . Some more known characteristics are:

  • They generally grow at times of the year with high temperatures and higher humidity levels.
  • As a result, the mites produce allergies in individuals.
  • Their main place of choice to accumulate are the bedrooms. Damp and dark places that include your pillows and mattresses.
  • By using allergen-proof bedding, washing it every week, and keeping humidity levels in the house low, the impact of mites on the airways can be minimized.

Natural ways to get rid of mites

According to studies, it is estimated that in an average bed, there are 1.5 million dust mites that feed on skin cells that fall on the bed while we sleep. Additionally, an average person can sweat up to a liter of fluid overnight, presenting a special cultivation option for mites. How to get rid of them? Here are some simple and natural ways to do it:

  • Do not make the bed immediately after getting up: As for mites the ideal place to live is a damp and dark place such as pillows and mattresses, by making the bed, you are keeping them in the ideal climate and out of the light, allowing them the environment perfect for feeding and maintaining. By not making the bed immediately after waking up, you are allowing the sheets to dry and light to enter. In this way, an environment is maintained in the bed that dust mites can visit, but will not stay to live.
  • Wash sheets regularly : You can also eliminate mites by washing sheets and pillowcases at least once a week. It is better if you can wash with hot water at a temperature of 60 ºC or use the dryer at a temperature equal to or greater than 60 ºC, which allows to eliminate the mites .
  • Vacuum your mattresses once or twice a month: Get in the habit of vacuuming your mattresses to remove these insects.
  • Use allergen-proof bedding : another way to eliminate them and within your reach is to cover the mattress and pillows with covers to block dust or allergens. Because these bedding are made of tightly woven fabric, they prevent dust mites from staying and reproducing.
  • Keep Humidity Low – Keeping your home at a relative humidity below 50% will act as a dehumidifier, preventing dust mites from staying on mattresses.
  • Select the bedding you will use carefully: do not use those types of clothes that easily trap dust and are difficult to wash regularly.

Protect yourself from these insects they live in your sheets and can affect your lungs

By getting to know these insects that live in your sheets more closely, we understand that we really need to protect ourselves from the effects on the body that mites can cause. And the fact of not seeing them does not mean that they are not there. Therefore, the recommendation is:

Protect yourself because these insects live in your sheets and can affect your lungs. Keep your bed clean so you don’t have to experience the unpleasant effects of these insects on you and your family.

By Dr. Eric Jackson

Dr. Eric Jackson provides primary Internal Medicine care for men and women and treats patients with bone and mineral diseases, diabetes, heart conditions, and other chronic illnesses.He is a Washington University Bone Health Program physician and is a certified Bone Densitometrist. Dr. Avery is consistently recognized in "The Best Doctors in America" list.

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