WHAT IS A DUST MITE ANYWAY?

Is dust a living, breathing creature, or is it, well…just dust? The dust we find in our homes is a combination of dead skin cells, dirt, pollen, clothing fibers, tiny plastic particles, dead insect remains, and dust mites. House dust mites are microscopic arachnids (spider family) that thrive in warm, humid environments and feed on our dead skin cells. Thankfully, they don’t live on our bodies, but they do end up in our sheets, clothing, and upholstery. Although tiny, dust mites are not airborne but settle on fibers and dust that become their nest. Unfortunately, dust mites are an allergen for many people, causing typical allergy symptoms when inhaled, such as sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and swollen nasal passages.

P.S. People with a dust mite allergy are reacting to the proteins inhaled from dust mite feces, urine, and decaying body parts. 

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