Cheaper Way to Rid Dust Mites

This article was published in he Straits Times Mind Your Body Supplement April 23, 2008

Asthmatics, who are allergic to tiny mites that live in dust in carpets, bedding and cuddly toys, are told not to waste money on special mattress protectors and vacuum cleaners to tackle dust mites.

Experts say they don’t help much, the BBC reported.

The Cochrane Collaboration research group reviewed 54 earlier studies, involving 3002 people to assess how well some of this equipment worked and found that there was no significant reduction in dust mites.

Among the products tested were mattress protectors, specialists cleaners, high efficiency vacuum cleaners and filters.

Thirty six trials assessed physical matters, such as mattress casings and chemical methods.

Ms Leanne Male , assistant research director at Asthma UK, said that the updated review confirms previous evidence that dust prevention has little effect on reducing overall asthma symptoms.

She recommended washing bed linen at hight temperatures and removing soft toys from bed instead.

Comments: Specific Immunotherapy in the form of sublingual drops can modify the body response to allergies and effect a “cure” for the allergy.

Book an appointment with HealthSense Specialist Dr. YT Pang to look at your ENT problems and get cured.