Sound familiar?

Ordinary house dust can cause reactions like these for anyone with allergies. Not just because it contains pollen, mold spores and animal dander, which all can cause allergic reactions, but mostly because of the allergy-causing particles created by microscopic dust mites. While most allergy-prone people will have allergic reactions to dust mite particles, an asthmatic person can have far more severe reactions, including wheezing and difficulty breathing. Dust mites can be found in all households. While they thrive in summer, mites find warm places to survive in the winter. Sometimes, we even help, as when we use a humidifier to relieve dry, winter heat and instead create a warm, moist environment where dust mites can flourish.

Mites feed on shed human skin, and the bedroom is most often where they make their home. They usually live in mattresses, bed pillows and other stuffed bedding items like comforters, which provide the best conditions of warmth and humidity.

Putting Your Allergies to Sleep
Since dust mites make the bedroom their home, your best defense is to make the bedroom as free of allergens as possible. Studies confirm that minimizing dust mite allergen exposure in the bedroom reduces allergic symptoms and the need for medication. Doctors and allergists agree that the most important thing you can do is put a barrier between you and the dust mites. This means enclosing your bedding mattress, bed pillow, box spring and comforter in zippered, allergen-impermeable encasings.

Clean Air® Pillow and Mattress Encasings provide soft, breathable, comfortable bedding products which provide effective protection against dust and dust mites. Machine washable and dryable, waterproof, mold and spore proof, Clean Air® Encasings are comfortable, noiseless and cool.

Here are some additional doctor recommended suggestions for controlling dust, and getting a good nights sleep:

• Wash all bed linen in hot water once a week (130°F/54.4°C). A cooler temperature will not kill the mites.
• Vacuum and wet dust regularly to keep airborne dust to a minimum. If necessary, wear a dust mask when cleaning.
• Never allow pets in the bedroom.
• H.E.P.A. (High Efficiency Particle Arresting) air cleaners can remove airborne allergens. Be sure the one you get is adequate for your bedroom.
• Clean furnace and air ducts.
• Remove all dust-collecting objects (like open bookcases) from the room.
• Windows should have screened ventilators to keep out dust and pollen.
• Avoid over-humidifying. Mites thrive on humidity.
• Consider replacing thick carpets for wood floors or flat carpets; heavy curtains for light, washable curtains or vertical blinds

Tips For Parents
Here are some additional tips to keep your child comfortable and free of allergic reactions:

• Your child’s stuffed toys should be washable; wash in hot water and dry thoroughly.
• Children should bathe and wash hair at night, to avoid bringing allergens into the bed.
• Control the humidity; use a dehumidifier for damp rooms.
• Use an air conditioner when pollen count or humidity is high.

Put an effective barrier between you and your allergies. Pillow, Mattress and Box Spring Encasings For Good Nights & Better Days.