Anadolu Ajansı – November 25, 2019
Pediatric Allergy and Chest Diseases Specialist Ahmet Akçay stated that 10 million mites (insects) live in a mattress that has been used for 5 years, and said, “There are approximately 19 thousand mites, 500 of which are live, in one gram of house dust.”
Pediatric Allergy and Chest Diseases Specialist Prof. Dr. Ahmet Akçay, in a statement to AA correspondent, said that mites known as house dust mites are 8-legged insects that are too small to be seen with the naked eye.
Stating that house dust mites live in dark, humid and warm environments, Akçay said, “They are mostly found in beds, pillows, bedding, blankets, carpets, fabric-covered furniture, feathered toys, plushs and curtains in bedrooms. Since our beds are a source of mites and bacteria, these insects feed on skin, dandruff, hair and hair pieces.” He said.
Akçay stated that he lived 10 million mites in a mattress that was used for 5 years and continued as follows:
“One gram of house dust contains approximately 19 thousand mites, 500 of which are live. Mitelar are allergens that are common in the home and cause allergic diseases. Mitelar prefer temperatures 50 percent above the humidity and 18 degrees Celsius above the temperature, and the ideal temperature for their reproduction is 25-30 degrees, and the humidity is around 70-90 degrees. Mites cannot survive for a long time in environments where the humidity is below 50 percent. For this reason, they are more common in areas close to the seaside. Mites can be found in houses at any time of the year. In the summer period, the effect of mites decreases a lot because mites cannot reproduce and live in summer. It is not possible to get rid of mites completely. With some precautions, the amount of mites and their bacteria can be reduced. Mitelar do not fly in the air, they move with house dust, they defecate on the surfaces they are in. Mite feces are allergic and act by sticking to house dust. For this reason, while cleaning, the feces of the mites stuck to the dust mix with the dust and enter the body through the nose and mouth. Mite allergens entering the body cause allergic reactions and diseases, especially in children with genetic predisposition”.
