Mite-Proof Bed Coverings

Many doctors recommend mite-proof bed coverings to prevent allergies and asthma. About 40 to 60% of allergy sufferers are sensitive to dust mites that live in house dust and lay eggs in bedding.

Mite-proof bed coverings are tightly woven coverings that screen out mites, but allow air to flow through. Based on the fact that the conditions of asthmatic patients generally improve in hospitals where there are fewer mites, it was generally believed that blocking allergens by using these coverings relieves asthmatics.

However, two recent studies – one involving 1,122 asthma patients and the other involving 232 allergic patients - found that using these special bed coverings made no difference to allergic and asthmatic people.

The bed coverings did not appear to work as intended. This was because there are many dust-mites around the house in addition to the mites in beddings.

Patients who want to avoid allergens must remove not just the mites in the bedding but also must vacuum regularly. They also would have to replace carpets and curtains with hard floors and blinds, steam-clean furniture, and cover upholstery.

Resources:

Learn more about dust mites and dust mite allergies from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America

Read up on ways to curb dust mites and alleviate the effects of asthma and mite-related allergies.

Bed covers are no match for the mighty mites, according to this article on HealthDay.com.

September 13, 2003