• Dust mites can be eliminated by deep-clean vacuumingvacuum cleaner image by vb_photo from Fotolia.com
  
  Ever heard the saying: "Don't let the bed bugs bite?" Unfortunately, microscopic bugs share our beds and eat our dead skin cells. Dust mites are more than an annoyance to people who have reactions to the little critters. When seen under a microscope, dust mites look like something out of a science-fiction/horror film. A distant relative of spiders, most of us don't think regularly about dust mites, and we probably like it better that way. But our bodies can have chemically influenced and aggravated reactions to certain proteins that dust mites excrete from their tiny bodies.
  
  

Chemical Reactions

• Chemical sensitivity to certain detergents or perfumes found in fabrics or bedding can aggravate a dust mite allergy. Often, the body's reaction to dust mites will mimic a cold or hay fever, and people may not attribute their sneezing and itchy nose to dust mites. Wet dust instead of dry to get rid of dust mites and reduce reactions.
  
  

Allergic Reactions

• Allergic reactions to dust mites are common. These nasty little creatures leave behind a certain protein that can trigger inflammations in the body and cause allergy symptoms. Some people may experience puffy eyes or unexplained itchiness. Using a vacuum cleaner specially designed for mattresses can get rid of the majority of dust mites. Washing sheets regularly also helps, but only if the mattress has been vacuumed. Family Doctor.org recommends washing sheets and clothing in very hot water to help eliminate dust mites. They suggest increasing the water heater temperature to 130 degrees for the wash.
  
  

Skin reactions

• Eczema has been linked to dust mite exposure. A skin condition that causes extremely dry and itchy patches on the skin, eczema has been studied in people exposed to dust mites. Removing excess dust from the home and utilizing deep-cleaning methods to rid upholstered furniture and mattresses of excessive dust mites has led to improvement in this skin condition.
  
  

Asthmatic Reactions

• According to CNN Health, some people develop severe or worsening asthma that is due to a dust mite allergy. As a result of increased dust and warm, humid climates, dust mites can rapidly multiply. A protein in their fecal matter is the culprit in the bad asthmatic symptoms suffered by many children and adults.
  
  

Reactions in Children

• Children often have more of the chemically exacerbated reactions to dust mite proteins than adults, because their immune systems are still developing. According to KidsHealth, dust mites and their droppings are found not only in soft warm places like mattresses but can be transferred into the air around us also. This can allow them to get into our lungs. Dust mites can worsen children's allergies, too, as well as their asthma.