If You Feel It Bite It’s Not a Dust Mite

Dust mites do not bite you. You can not feel them crawling on you. House dust mites live off your dead skin and can cause allergic reactions.

7 Dust Mite Myths Busted Infographic
7 Dust Mite Myths Busted

The allergic symptoms are caused by inhaling the microscopic fecal matter and shed skins. Symptoms of dust mite allergy include but are not limited to respiratory such as sneezing, runny nose, stuffy nose, cough, difficulty breathing, and asthma. In addition, skin symptoms such as eczema and dermatitis can result. Rashes and hives are rarely a symptom of dust mite allergy.

Now there several kinds of biting mites. Chiggers are probably the most common and annoying. Chiggers are mite larvae that are ubiquitous outdoors except in arid regions; they bite, feed in the skin, then fall off.

Common mite species that bite and burrow into the skin include Sarcoptes scabiei , which causes scabies, and Demodex mites, which cause scabies-like dermatitis.

Bird mites may bite people who handle live poultry or pet birds or who have birds’ nests on their homes.

Rodent mites from cats, dogs (especially puppies), and rabbits may bite people.

Swine mange mites ( S. scabiei var suis ) from pig farms or pet pigs may also bite humans.

The straw itch mite ( Pyemotes tritici ) is often associated with seeds, straw, hay, and other plant material; it is a parasite of soft-bodied insects that are or have been present in such materials. These mites often bite people who handle infested items. Granary workers, people who handle grass seeds or grass hay, and people who make dried plant arrangements are most at risk.

If you want to keep your bed free of dust mites you should cover it with special covers designed to stop dust mites. The Allergy Store has a good selection to choose from.

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