Mites in bed

definition

Mites are arachnids and are rich in species. Most of the mites are found in the soil. However, many mites can also nestle in humans. For example, they are found in our hair roots. Probably the most well-known mite for us humans is the house dust mite. Around ten percent of people in Germany suffer from a house dust mite allergy. The mites mainly occur in bed.

The mites secrete proteins in their feces, which can lead to symptoms in humans. The individual parts of the excrement then adhere to the house dust, which is inhaled and can trigger allergic reactions. However, these symptoms only affect people with a house dust mite allergy. Non-allergy sufferers do not notice the coexistence of the mites in their bed. Unlike bed bugs or fleas, dust mites do not bite. House dust mites play the biggest role in the subject of "mites in bed", but the scabies-causing grave mites can also occur in bed or in upholstery. These are mainly found in places where many people live together, for example in nursing homes.

Mite allergy

Dust mites can become one allergic reaction in people who are called House dust allergy or often referred to as a mite allergy. Symptoms how itchy and red eyes, a clogged and runny nose, morning Sneezing attacks or even Asthma attacks are typical.

People mainly react to that Dust mite droppings allergic. Various enzymes that are contained in the faeces of the mite cause sensitization in humans and result in a symptomatic allergy in some people. The mites responsible belong to the species Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae.

The Allergen exposure is that all year roundso symptoms can appear year round. However, they are above all increased in winter. Will be in winter Heated rooms. This reduces the humidity and the Mites die from. The When the mites die, they release feces and debriswhich contain the allergy-causing proteins, which make symptoms worse.

To Diagnosis house dust allergies come along with the patient consultation and physical examination special allergy tests in question. Above all, this includes the prick test and blood tests for antibodies.

The therapy A house dust allergy includes both Hygiene measures in the house as well medical treatment. The hygiene measures eliminate the mite allergens as far as possible. Medical treatment, on the other hand, aims at different things. As part of a Desensitization, which lasts about 3 years, one tries to weaken the various immune reactions to the house dust mites. To alleviate the acute symptoms, preparations are made with Glucocorticoids or Antihistamines prescribed.

causes

The presence of mites in bed does not automatically indicate unsanitary behavior. House dust mites cannot actually avoid the fact that they nest in bed. By adhering to rules of conduct for Defense against mites you can see the number of mites in bed though reduce, in spite of everything, there are still a lot of mites in bed. Because for mites, especially for house dust mites, the bed offers the perfect living space.

Why do mites cause diseases? The house dust mite, which is the main topic of this article, only affects people with a house dust mite allergy, because the proteins that the mite excretes as feces and is inhaled with house dust are perceived by our body as allergens and lead to an allergic reaction .
A disease like scabies mainly affects people with a compromised immune system. This also includes children because they have not yet come into contact with many pathogens, meaning that the immune system is not yet fully developed. The function of the immune system is also limited in older people, which is why scabies often occur in nursing homes or old people's homes. Furthermore, as a side effect of chemotherapy in cancer patients and in HIV patients, the immune system is throttled.

diagnosis

Does the person concerned describe typical allergic symptomsthat above all at night in bed occur, the suspicion often falls on one House dust mite allergy. The Allergy diagnostics a house dust mite allergy can be determined using a simple allergy test (Prick test) at the family doctor or dermatologist. Also one Blood test can prove the allergic reaction.

If there is a Scabies disease you can see typical, so-called Mite ducts detect. However, these are only after four to six weeks visible. Some of these can be seen with the naked eye. If not, they are definitely with the help of a so-called Dermatoscope recognizable. This is a special device that is mainly used by dermatologists, but also by general practitioners, in order to be able to examine skin findings in an enlarged view. Put simply, a dermatoscope corresponds to a magnifying glass. If these mite ducts can be seen, the diagnosis of scabies can be made. The doctor often sees the mite itself in the form of a small triangle.

Signs and symptoms

In general, diseases that are caused by mites are called Acarioses designated. Because it different mites there exist also various diseasesthat stand out through their own Symptom complexes distinguish.

Both classic bed mites it is usually about House dust mites. The symptoms that they cause in humans are down to the allergenic effects of various components or excretions of the mites traced back. Not everyone responds but with symptoms of the allergy-causing mite. About 10% of the population and even 90% of asthmatics show symptoms.

The symptoms that the house dust mite allergy causes are usually grouped under the term allergic rhinitis together. Morning sneeze, a blocked or runny nose after waking up are typical symptoms. Come with some people watery and itchy eyes added. Conjunctivitis is also rarely found.

Dust mites can too Trigger an allergic Asthma associated with symptoms such as coughing fits and shortness of breath. These complaints are most pronounced at night and in the morning.

Unlike seasonal allergies, for example against early bloomers, the Symptoms year-round on. With long-term exposure to house dust mites you can chronic complaintssuch as a stuffy nose or dry cough.

Apart from the house dust mites are also found occasionally other mites in bed like that Scabies mite. These mites lead to one through human skin contact or the sharing of textiles excruciating itching the entire skin. The itch is especially at night very pronounced and leads to those affected scratching their skin. There is also a species skin rash. These reddish changes in the skin, known as papules, are caused by the fact that the mites dig into the top layers of the skin and virtually migrate there. They are a few millimeters long and look like small passages. After a while a eczema With Vesicles, Redness and incrustations. The skin changes are found especially between the fingers and toes, at the Genital, the Wrists and Skin folds. In some cases, bacteria can also attack the affected skin. This bacterial attack manifests itself in the additional appearance of pus vesicles.

skin rash

Mites that are found in bed, i.e. house dust mites, do not cause a rash. They only lead to symptoms in allergy sufferers and these do not include the rash. Grass mites, on the other hand, can cause a small swelling with redness and itching when bitten. The bite is similar to an insect bite.

Read more about this at: Grass mites

But grass mites, as the name suggests, do not appear in bed, but in the grass. Grass mite bites usually occur after a long stay in nature. If you believe that bites on the body can be traced back to animals in bed, then the cause is not mites, but possibly bed bugs.

Read more about this under Bed bugs

In addition to dust mites, however, under certain circumstances Grave mites occur in bed. Grave mites can scabies cause in humans. A disease that, unlike the dust mite, with one Rash goes along. While the incidence of the disease has decreased over time, it is now a little more common. Characteristic of the scabies rash is the occurrence of Rash in the area of ​​body folds or spaces, For example under the armpit, in the groin, in the genital area, on the belly button, on the nipples or between the fingers and toes. Because grave mites prefer warm and humid regions. They also look for areas of skin where the skin is particularly thin. Typically, the rash is absent on the back and head. It can only occur on the head or on the palms of the hands and feet of babies and small children. The rash occurs when the mites dig ducts in the skin where they can lay their eggs. This Mite ducts appear reddish to brownish. The rash is particularly pronounced in immunocompromised people.

Pimples

With scabies, in addition to the typical mite ducts, a Rash arise that the appearance of Pimples resembles. Formed by the defense of our immune system fluid-filled or pus-filled vesicles and pustules. The vesicles or pustules may isolated exist or in groups occurrence.

It comes from dust mites not cause pimples to appear.

itching

If there is a house dust mite allergy, Especially the eyes itch and burn. Allergy sufferers often have it because of the itching reddened eyes.

With scabies, on the other hand, there is a very itchy rash. The itching usually lasts for several weeks. The itching is not caused by the grave mite itself, but by the response of the immune system to the intruder. Because the mite is located in a layer of skin in which there are no sensory receptors. The itching usually increases at night. This is because our body is more aware of itching in a warm environment. Therefore, cooling usually helps against this itching.

How can I identify mites in bed myself?

Unlike bed bugs, mites can be found not easy so with the naked eye see. They are tiny - less than a millimeter in length - and embedded in the textiles. So how do you recognize the annoying roommates?

Scabies mites (Grave mites) can be recognized only in the symptomsthat cause them. Strong, sudden itching all over the body and reddish skin changes are very suspicious symptoms of an infection with scabies mites. Searching the bed is of no use in this case, as you will not find the mites or other clues. If you notice the typical symptoms of scabies, it is advisable to do one immediately See a dermatologist and Hygiene measures to take.

House dust mites however, inhabit each bed in a certain number. Up to 1.5 million such house dust mites can live in our mattresses without us noticing. Some sites claim that with a very large mite population, mite excretions can be found in the bed. However, this is rather unrealistic. At the Knocking out the mattress is it possible that increased dust is whirled up. This could be a sign of a large mite population. Basically, however here too the Symptoms decisive for recognizing the mites in bed. Anyone who wakes up in the morning with sneezing, red and itchy eyes and a stuffy nose is most likely plagued by an allergic reaction to the mite droppings.

What can be done against mites?

Mites prefer places that are warm and slightly humid. So the bed is ideal for this. The moisture is created by the air we breathe and the sweat that we secrete at night. In addition, dust mites prefer to feed on small flakes of skin, which are practically in abundance for the mites in bed.

There are typically several thousand mites in a pillow, which is why a correct pillow is of great importance for allergy sufferers.

A simple measure against mites in bed is generous ventilation. The more fresh air comes to the bed, the less the mites feel comfortable there. In general, the temperature in the bedroom should not be too high either. It should be around 18-20 ° C. Mites, on the other hand, prefer temperatures above 25 ° C. They also prefer a humidity of around 70%.

If there is more heating in winter, the humidity drops so that the number of mites decreases. In addition, you can buy anti-mite sprays in the pharmacy, which contain vegetable bitter substances that inhibit the growth of the mites or their maturation. Mostly neem oil is used for this. If you repeat the application a second time after about a month, the protection is sufficient for about a year. With these sprays, however, the number of mites can only be minimized; they cannot kill all mites.

Especially for people with an allergy to mites in bed, there are special duvet covers (so-called encasings) for mattresses and bedding, through which mites cannot penetrate. In the case of allergy sufferers, the costs are generally covered at least in part by the health insurance company. The covers should be washed regularly at 60 ° C.

In general, it is important to wash the bed linen regularly at a temperature of 60 ° C, regardless of whether it is allergy-free or not. This measure is also helpful against grave mites. Since mites also like to accumulate in carpets or the like, it is also useful to buy a vacuum cleaner with a filter, because normal vacuum cleaners release small particles such as mite excrement to the outside.