Do Dust Mites Cause Eczema?

If you have heard of the dust mites - eczema connection, you may be wondering ... Do dust mites cause eczema? This article takes a closer look at how dust mites and other irritants cause eczema.

Have you ever heard that dust mites cause eczema? If so you may be curious to know if it is really a fact and do dust mites actually cause eczema.  Read on to find out the facts about dust mites and other irritations that can cause eczema. 

Is it very common for eczema to occur as a result of irritants in the environment you are in direct contact with.  The major indoor contributing allergen to eczema is the dust mite protein.  Approximately ten percent of the general public develops an allergy to dust mites.   The symptoms of an allergic reaction to dust mites include eyes that are itchy and watery, sneezing, a runny nose, nasal congestion, ears that are “stuffed up” and difficult to hear out of, chronic respiratory problems such as head colds and post nasal drip, asthma and the most widespread form of eczema- atopic dermatitis.

You cannot see dust mites with the unassisted human eye. Dust mites are very small, oval in shape, have eight legs and are a cream color.  Dust mites have sticky pads on their feet that enable them to burrow into almost any kind of fiber in your home. They can be found in furniture and carpet. A vacuum cleaner can only clean up the particles of dead dust mites.  Dust mites feed on the skin that is shed by humans as well as fingernails and hair.  They also eat animal fur, bacteria, fungi and pollen. The best environment for dust mites to survive well in is when the humidity is from seventy to eighty percent.  They also require temperatures anywhere between seventy-five and eighty degrees. Dust mites can’t live or prosper too long in a humidity level lower than forty. One of the best ways to avoid having eczema issues is to keep your home as free of dust mites as possible.

Many irritants can cause eczema to flare-up more often and with a higher intensity.  Try to stay away from laundry detergents that will irritate the skin and be sure to rinse your clothes twice with cool water when doing the laundry.  Avoid household cleaners, disinfectants, air sprays and other common household substances that cause you to sneeze, itch excessively, and develop a stuffy nose and a sore throat. Buy mild natural or organic cleaners for around your home and always spray them away from your face.  When using the cleaners have a mask that covers up your face and be sure not to mix cleaners ever because this can cause a noxious gas.