Do you have sneezing, runny nose, or irritated eyes? If you have experienced or have known someone to experience allergies, whether it's seasonal or throughout the entire year, you know how uncomfortable and annoying they can be. There is a common misconception that allergies strictly come from outdoor presences, like pollen, but this isn’t the only place allergies can begin.

According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, 10 percent of Americans are sensitive to a dust allergy. They also state that this allergy is responsible for approximately 90 percent of asthma cases in some areas of the U.S. Asthma can be very deadly to someone who is considered high risk and should not be taken lightly. That is why, for this month's blog, we will be jumping into the shocking truths of a dust allergy.

What is dust?

Before we can begin to fully understand a dust allergy, we should touch up on what dust is exactly. Dust can be comprised of several different particles, such as dead skin, sand or rock, pet dander, and pollen. These particles provide the perfect living environment and food source for dust mites. Although, while dust mites usually only live in areas with humidity levels above 50 percent and temperatures above 70 degrees, they can drastically add to the negative effects of dust. If you would like to know more about dust itself, check out our blog What is Dust?

What is a dust allergy?

Many of you might think that dust allergies come from the dust itself, however, that is not completely true. A dust allergy is caused by a variety of things that can end up in dust like dust mites, mold, pet hair, and pollen. In fact, the most common trigger for a dust allergy is dust mites. As we’ve discussed in previous blogs, dust mites are too small to see; they drop their waste in the dust and eventually die, leaving their nasty remains.

This is what commonly causes such extreme allergic reactions, like sneezing, itching, shortness of breath, and runny nose. Those with asthma are at an even higher level of risk to dust and dust mites. As previously stated, in some locations dust mites cause about 90 percent of dust related asthma attacks. This can be extremely dangerous for families, especially those with younger children or elderly relatives.

What are some of the best treatment options?

Aside from having a Dust Bender to remove the dust from your area, there are many other effective prevention tactics that you should try. Below we have listed five extra tactics for you to help prevent a dust allergy episode:

• Dust mite proof casing for your mattress
• Dehumidifiers will decrease the likelihood of dust mites since dust mites thrive in humid climates
• Keep pets out of your bed
• Wear a mask and goggles while you clean your house
• Clean your carpet frequently (at least once per week)

Dust mite allergies are commonly confused for outdoor allergies. You will want to ensure an accurate diagnosis so you can work to prevent and alleviate exposure to that allergy. Unfortunately, if you also have asthma, a dust mite allergy can be worse than a runny nose. If you want to keep yourself and your family safe, keeping your home and work areas clean is one of the best methods. With the Dust Bender, cleaning has never been easier.