The mites that live in our beds leave behind excrement and organic fragments that could be the cause of several diseases in humans, warn experts.
Invisible but everywhere, mites have been living with human beings since the dawn of time. But this coexistence is not necessarily the most peaceful, and these microscopic arachnids can be very harmful.
Mite feces
British public health experts are sounding the alarm. In fact, the mites that live in bedding leave behind excrement and body fragments that can contribute to the onset of colds, asthma and sinusitis, while ambient germs can cause food poisoning.
Even after being machine washed, bed sheets can be riddled with dangerous germs, such as norovirus and salmonella, experts warn, cited by the Daily Mail.
The droppings left by dust mites can cause allergic reactions, which lead to the body overproducing histamine, a substance produced to destroy foreign bodies and released during allergic reactions.
10 million dust mites per bed
Each bed contains some 10 million dust mites, and more in hot and humid environments. “They can cause rhinitis, coughs and dry eyes,” warns Lisa Ackerley, a household hygiene specialist. According to experts, the multiplication of dust mites could be linked to skin cells that humans leave on their sheets while sleeping.
To limit their profusion, experts advise constantly ventilating the rooms and beds and regularly washing bedding at very high temperatures. The Inpes (The National Institute for Prevention and Health Education) also produced a guide to fighting indoor pollution, including that generated by mites.
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