Hello Friends of steemit, today I come to talk about the arachnids that we do not see but that most of the inhabitants on this planet we have in our homes and it is the famous Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (dust mite).
Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus
There have been countless cases with this small (Arachnoid) (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus), and many people can not imagine what they can get in every corner of their homes. And they have many points in favor because they are so small that they are not visible to the naked eye unless you have a microscope at home and, if so, I invite you to go and observe. In each place that you go, you will be surrounded by them and here I will explain why.
The dust mites belong to the subclass of mites (within the class of arachnids), which inhabit almost all parts of the world, preferring areas of temperate climate and high relative humidity. The most common species are Dermatophagoides farinae, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Euroglyphus maynei.
In general, mites are especially comfortable when the temperature is warm (around 20 ° C) and the relative humidity is high (more than 70%). Therefore, they are very abundant in temperate coastal regions. Also for this reason, the concentration of mites in houses increases during the seasons of seasonal change (spring and autumn), with rains and mild temperatures, and generally decreases during summer and winter. Dermatophagoides mites live in close association with humans, since their main food is the scales that are released from human skin. The places where they are most frequent are the rooms and especially the rooms. The mattresses of the beds are your favorite refuge since in it the suitable conditions for their development are given.
As we determined that it could be a Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus?
Dust mites or house mites are components of the Pyroglyphidae family of the arachnid class (Arachnida) and direct relatives of spiders and ticks. They are so small that they are only visible under a microscope. They develop easily in damp and warm places. They are very persistent and multiply better when there is a relative humidity of more or less 75 - 80% and a temperature of at least 21 ° C. They are scarce in dry places and located in height and they die when the humidity of the air lowers of 40 -50%.
They feed on scales of the skin (Do not be scared, it is the dead skin that you are going to get rid of) and they proliferate in textile fibers, especially natural: beds, rugs, quilts, blankets, wool mattresses, clothes, curtains, pillows and cushions, wardrobes , furniture and car seats. And a very bad news is that they survive the vacuum cleaner, since they have nails as hooks in the legs, with which they "grab" or adhere to the corresponding material.
Its size ranges from 0'28 mm in length (Euroglyphus maynei) to 0'40 mm (Dermatophagoides farinae).
Heyshould we start to be afraid? Actually, no, because dust mites do not bite or spread diseases; they would be classified as harmless if they did not cause severe symptoms in people with allergies. As it is in my case, I am very allergic.
I know that everyone must have the curiosity of how they could see it, but it is very difficult as I explained to you a moment ago. The most effective way is through the microscope, you see many oval-shaped limits, running around and one over the other. They have eight hairy legs, without eyes or antennae, a group of mouthparts on the front of the body (which resembles a head) and a hard, translucent shell, giving a "terrible appearance".
That's exactly how they look, they're pretty terrible I know. (Lol)
Where can we find these arachnids ?
The Dermatophagoides farinae is very frequent and abundant inside the houses (carpets, mattresses, etc.). It is the second most abundant species worldwide, although it is more abundant and frequent in North America than in Europe. It seems to prefer more continental and arid climates than D. pteronyssinus. In Spain it is very abundant in the Mediterranean provinces. "But in the same way Europe is also affected"
House dust mites survive in all climates, even at high altitudes. They thrive in indoor environments provided by homes, especially in bedrooms and kitchens. They survive well on mattresses, carpets, furniture and bedding, with figures of around 188 individuals / g of dust. Even in dry climates, house dust mites survive and reproduce easily in beds (especially pillows), diverting moisture from moisture generated by human respiration, sweat and saliva.4
Dust mites consume small particles of organic matter. Like all mites, house dust mites have a simple intestine, they have no stomach, but rather "diverticula," which are sacs or pouches that deviate from hollow organs. Like many decomposer animals, they select foods that have been pre-decomposed by fungi.
According to studies carried out, the houses and cleaning habits have spread, the proliferation of dust mites has been promoted: the use of carpets, the introduction of the use of vacuum cleaners (mites are aerosolized when vacuuming), central heating, centralized ventilation and humidification systems to save energy, longer residence time in the home, among others. (So yes, we have them everywhere and we can not help it).
Currently, the best form of treatment for dust mite allergies is to avoid dust mites and their allergens in combination with medications such as antihistamines, corticosteroids or salbutamol. You have to control the levels of dust mites. The environment of the beds is optimal for most dust mites, and comparative studies have shown that the density of dust mites on mattresses averages more than 2500 / gram of dust.Cleaning the beds does not Eliminates allergens, but mixes them with air and increases their volatility. Some polyethylene beds are beneficial, since they make the environment difficult for dust mites. The bedding must also be breathable and be able to withstand frequent washing. An allergen reduction plan has been recognized as an essential part of the management of asthma symptoms
In these moments in my new apartment I tried to be the most solid, since I am highly alegergic to these arachnids. I have followed several tips that I have researched in several books and web pages. and I would like to share with you.
- Keep the house clean: Dust mites, pollen, animal dander, and other symptoms of active allergy can be reduced, although it is not eliminated by regular cleaning.
- Clean carefully with vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters (high filtering filters) once a week. During cleaning it is preferable that the patient is not present, returning an hour later.
- Wash pillowcases and sheets once a week. Dust mites can be removed by water at 55 ° C (131 ° F) or hotter. Use hypoallergenic detergents to help eliminate dust mites. It can also be killed by freezing.
- Maintain relative humidity levels below 50 percent. Dust mites as well as other allergens thrive on high humidity. Houses with air conditioning constantly have fewer mites.
- Use air purifiers, which remove mites, mite debris and their floating deposits in the air.
- Use a high efficiency air filter. Most cheap ordinary air filters are not capable of capturing mites and their by-products. You should also look for a filter that has anti-microbial properties, to prevent the filter from becoming a breeding ground for allergens. Filters that are called "washable" should be avoided, since it is simply not possible to wash 100% of the biological contaminants out of them and it can also become a breeding ground for microbes.
Conclusión
So you may think that you are the most obsessive compulsive on the planet and clean any place you pass, sleep, relax, use, but still these little insects will be there to ruin your life. LOL
Source of Information
- Kemp, TJ; Siebers, RW; Fishwick, D; O'Grady, GB; Fitzharris, P; Crane, J (12 de octubre de 1996). «House dust mite allergen in pillows»
- Adams, Cecil «Does a mattress double its weight due to dust mites and their debris?
- National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of asthma. National Institute of Health
- http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0021870767900457
- http://www.elimparcial.com/EdicionEnLinea/Notas/VidayEstilo/20122017/1290426-Esto-es-lo-que-debes-saber-de-los-acaros.html
- https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%81caro_del_polvo
Thank you for taking the time to read this publication. I hope you have a happy day, see you in the next. Do not forget to leave a comment about what you thought, thank you very much. @juanjdiaz89
