Preventing Dust Mites with Air Purifiers

Dust mites are an uncomfortable fact of modern life – they're drawn to the warm safety of our homes and the endless source of dust particles and shed skin cells we leave beyond. Unfortunately, these houseguests are anything but pleasant – in fact, dust mites and their feces are one of the leading causes of bronchial asthma flare-ups and other respiratory irritations. While it isn't possible to get rid of them entirely, it is possible to minimize their impact with a few steps.

However, if simple cleanliness isn't enough to alleviate your allergy and asthma symptoms, you may need to take more drastic measures. Dust mites are naturally drawn to your mattress, due to its moist environment and constant source of dead skin cells for food. Instead of traditional box spring mattresses, you can invest in a foam or latex mattress that's naturally resistant to dust mites and other insects, molds and fungi. You can also purchase a natural wool mattress topping or comforter, which also help to prevent dust mite infestation.

In addition, if your respiratory symptoms are severe, you may want to consider purchasing an air purifier that will help to reduce the level of dust, organic particles and dust mite allergens in your home. There are hundreds of air purifier models on the market today, so be sure to research the different options carefully to find the one that best meets your needs.

First, be sure to choose the air purifier that fits the size of the room or rooms you want to clean. Although whole house purifying systems are available, you may only need to clean the air in your bedroom in order to reduce your allergy symptoms. Next, look for an air purifier that uses a high efficiency particulate arresting (HEPA) filter. These filters are the best on the market today, removing 99.7% of air pollutants from your home. In addition, check to see how often the filtering cycle runs – a purifier that cycles more often will do a better job removing the particulate matter from your home.

Price is also likely to be one of the biggest factors in your decision. Air purifiers come in different sizes, including small models for individual rooms, larger purifiers that will cover many rooms and whole house models that work in conjunction with your existing furnace system. Smaller purifiers are available for $50-$150, larger models will run $300-$900, while whole house systems will likely cost $1500 or more. However, it's important to balance the cost of these air purifiers against the benefits of improved health. You may find that improved air quality in your home reduces the number of doctor's visits you'll need, as well as the amount of prescription and over-the-counter medication needed to control your symptoms.