Dust Mites On Skin and How To Get Rid Of Them
Do Dust Mites Live on Human Skin?
Contrary to common belief, dust mites do not live on human skin. your skin comes in contact with dust mites in your bed as they live in your mattress, pillows and bedding.
Dust mites thrive in environments where they can feed on dead skin flakes that humans naturally shed. These flakes accumulate in bedding, carpets, furniture, and other soft surfaces. However, dust mites do not burrow into the skin or feed on live tissue.
Instead, they depend on:
- Warmth (around 20-25°C)
- High humidity levels (50-80%)
- Accumulated skin flakes, their primary food source
Where Do Dust Mites Live and the estimated amount
- Mattress - 100,000 to 10 million
- Pillow - 10,000 to 2 million
- Carpets / Rugs - 1,000 to 100,000 per square meter
- Couch / Sofa - 100,000 to 1 million per seat
- Curtains / Drapes - 1,000 to 50,000 per square meter of fabric
- Soft Toys: 1,000 to 10,000 per toy
How to Protect Your Skin from Dust Mite Exposure
While dust mites cannot live on the skin, managing their presence in your environment is key to reducing allergic skin reactions. Click here to find out the 6 top steps to take:
Dust Mite Allergies and Skin Reactions
While dust mites themselves do not live on the skin, their presence can trigger allergic reactions in individuals. The primary allergens come from dust mite faeces and body fragments, which can irritate the skin and respiratory system. People with dust mite allergies may experience:
- Eczema flare-ups: Dust mite allergens are a common trigger for atopic dermatitis (eczema), leading to itchy, inflamed skin.
- Contact irritation: Prolonged exposure to bedding or fabric contaminated with dust mites can cause itching, redness, and discomfort.
Symptoms of Dust Mite-Related Skin Issues
If you are sensitive to dust mites, you might notice:
- Itchy or red patches of skin after prolonged contact with bedding or upholstered furniture.
- Dry, scaly skin, especially in areas prone to eczema, like elbows, knees, and face.
- Rashes or hives in severe allergic cases.
Distinguishing Dust Mites from Other Skin Concerns
It is important not to confuse dust mites with other microscopic pests, like scabies mites or demodex mites, which do live on or burrow into human skin. Scabies mites cause severe itching and rashes as they infest the skin, while demodex mites naturally live in hair follicles. Dust mites, however, are not parasitic and have no interest in living on your body.
If you suspect your skin issues are caused by something other than dust mites, consult a dermatologist for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
If you have a dust mite allergy we highly recommend purchasing encasements for your bed as they stop dust mites in your mattress, pillow and duvet. See our encasements
