There are many reasons why it’s good to know whether dust mites bite or not. You may wonder where that mysterious bug bite came from while you slept. Or perhaps you have allergies and are concerned that you might get sick from an insect bite. I was interested in learning for myself, so I asked the experts, and this is what I found.
According to Healthline, dust mites do not bite. They only eat dead skin or pet dander from people and pets. However, dust mites do create allergens that can cause health issues for people with allergies or breathing disorders like asthma.
If you have bites and are wondering where they came from, there could be a number of culprits. You also may be interested in learning to deal with a variety of pests, like dust mites, that may lurk in your home. Read on to learn more.
What Exactly Is a Dust Mite?
Dust mites are very small. In
What Do Dust Mites Look Like?
If you look at a dust mite under a microscope, they look are white, have eight legs, and are more like spiders than other types of bugs.
What Type of Environment Do Dust Mites Live?
Dust mites exist mainly in high humidity levels of at least 70% and in temperatures of between 68 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s 20 to 25 degrees Celsius.
What Do Dust Mites Eat?
Dust mites almost exclusively feed on small flakes of human skin but also will eat pet dander and any other organic material that might be lying around or tucked into the cracks and crevices of a bed or furniture.
Since Dust Mites Don’t Bite, What Bugs Could Be Biting Me?
Here are a few biting pests that are common in homes.
- Bed Bugs are small, oval, often brown insects that live on blood from either humans or animals. Unlike the microscopic dust mite, they can grow as big as an apple seed and will bite any area of exposed skin. These bites can turn into itchy welts and can be found anywhere on the body. If you see dark specks along the mattress seams or rusty, reddish stains, you might have a bed bug infestation.
- Fleas Are probably the most common culprit of nighttime bug bites. They can especially be an issue if you own pets and don’t realize that one of them has become infested. Flea bites typically bite a person on the ankles and often appear red and sometimes blotchy with a red spot in the center.
- Chiggers are microscopic outdoor-only mites. If you have been outside in a swampy, grassy, weedy, or moist environment, you may have gotten the bites before going to bed. Sometimes the itching won’t start for several hours. Bites usually occur under socks or areas where clothing is tight.
- Mosquitos are worth mentioning as they sometimes get inside a home and settle into bed with you. Mosquito bites appear as small raised welts, are often colorless, and come with intense itching.
What Are the Best Treatments for Bug Bites?
Depending on which type of bug bites you, there are different treatment options available.
- Treating Bed bugs or Flea Bites should be done with a hydrocortisone skin cream such as Cortaid. If you are prone to allergies, you may also want to take an oral antihistamine like Benadryl.
- Treating Chiggers The itching is not caused by the initial bite but by the parasitic larvae that the adjust lays under your skin when it bites you. However, the best treatment is exactly the same as it is for bed bugs or flea bites. Do not put clear nail polish on your skin! This is a home remedy that is an old wives’ tale and does not work.
- Treating Mosquito Bites First off, do not scratch the area! Instead, lightly wash the area with cool water and soap. Put on some calamine-type lotion or some Cortaid. Baking soda paste has also been known to work well.
If you are unsure what has bitten you, the safest course of action is to just wash the area and apply hydrocortisone skin cream. If you think you might be having an allergic reaction, call your doctor or visit an urgent care facility as soon as possible.
How Do I Know If I Have a Dust Mite Allergy?
Unfortunately, dust mites are a common allergy. A tell-tale sign is if your symptoms are occurring year-round. If you are allergic to dust mites, you might have:
- Persistent coughing through a postnasal drip
- Itchy or reddened skin
- General congestion
- Frequent sneezing
- Red watery eyes.
“If you have a dust mite allergy, you may experience symptoms year-round. You may also notice that your symptoms peak during the hot, humid summer months.”
Healthline
The first step is to get diagnosed with dust-mite allergies. Some people are mildly allergic, while others have severe problems when encountering dust mites.
How Does a Doctor Diagnose You for a Dust Mite Allergy?
If your doctor believes that you might have a dust mite allergy, he or she may run a skin test or blood test.
- Skin Prick Test The technician will prick or lightly scratch your skin with a mite-infected allergen. If redness or itching happens, you are likely allergic to dust mites.
- Blood Test Sometimes, people are not good candidates for the skin test due to medications that might conflict with the test. The best alternative is to take a small sample of your blood and then add allergens to it. The lab will check the number of antibodies present, which will give them an indication of whether you are allergic or not.
What Is the Treatment for Dust Mite Allergies?
If it is confirmed that you are allergic to dust mites, your doctor will first likely tell you to take preventative measures to control the level of dust mites in your living space.
Your doctor may also prescribe medications. For mild cases and over-the-counter antihistamines or decongestants may be all that you need. For more severe dust mite
“For minor allergies, people usually do not need to see a doctor. Taking over-the-counter medications can be enough to combat the symptoms and provide relief.”
Medical News Today
How Do I Prevent Dust Mites or Other Bedroom Pests?
There are
- Encase bedding, pillows, and your mattress in impermeable covering
- Wash and dry all of your clothes and bedding on the highest setting possible.
- Get rid of the carpet and switch to hardwood floors
- Frequently vacuum that contains a HEPA filter
- Purchase a good dehumidifier and set the humidity level to below 50%
Are There Any Types of Mites That Do Bite People?
The only type of mite that actually bites people is the scabies mite. Scabies mites are usually passed from person to person and will burrow into human skin and lay their eggs. This can lead to a rash and persistent itchiness.
What Are the Symptoms of Scabies?
After being infested with scabies, it usually takes a month, or even 6 weeks for the skin the react and symptoms to become obvious. The common symptoms are:
- A rash that may look like pimples
- Scaling or blisters
- Relentless itching
A person may also develop sores on their skin that is caused by scratching the infected areas.
How Do I Get Rid of Scabies?
Unfortunately, scabies will not go away untreated, so it’s important that you get to a doctor immediately if you think you might be infected. The only way it can be cured is by taking prescription medication that directly kills the scabies mites
Related Questions
How do I see a dust mite? You would need a microscope to see a dust mite since they are so small.
Where do dust mites come from? No one knows exactly where dust mites come from, but depending on the region, as much as 80% of homes have dust mites present.
Is leather better for keeping away dust mites? L
Final Thoughts
While dust mites do not bite, there are still many health issues associated with having a dust mite infestation in your home. Many people have allergies that are only exacerbated by the extreme presence of dust mites.
Regular cleaning and washing is the best way to make sure that you minimize the problems associated with dust mites. Also, getting rid of or at least cleaning your carpets with a mild chemical such as Acarosan will help immensely. Talk to your local pest control professional if you need help deciding the best course of action.
For more, don’t miss 11 Effective Substitutes for Soap in the Shower (Or Bath).
Jim James is a published author and expert on the outdoors and survivalism. Through avid research and hands-on experience, he has gained expertise on a wide variety of topics. His time spent at college taught him to become really good at figuring out answers to common problems. Often through extensive trial and error, Jim has continued to learn and increase his knowledge of a vast array of topics related to firearms, hunting, fishing, medical topics, cooking, games/gaming, and other subjects too numerous to name.
Jim has been teaching people a wide variety of survivalism topics for over five years and has a lifetime of experience fishing, camping, general survivalism, and anything in nature. In fact, while growing up, he often spent more time on the water than on land! He has degrees in History, Anthropology, and Music from the University of Southern Mississippi. He extensively studied Southern History, nutrition, geopolitics, the Cold War, and nuclear policy strategies and safety as well as numerous other topics related to the content on survivalfreedom.com.