There has been a great deal of publicity recently surrounding the connection between fitted carpets (and other soft furnishings such as beds, curtains and upholstery) and the growth in Asthma and other allergies such as eczema.

The reason for this connection is the Household Dust Mite. Every one of us shares our home with millions of these tiny microscopic creatures. They are almost impossible to eradicate and they can also affect our health. Research has shown that 28% of the population suffer from respiratory allergies and that one in seven children now develop asthma. Whilst there are a number of factors that cause these problems (such as pollution and chemicals in food), the presence of dust mites has been identified as a major irritant to those suffering such allergies and a major cause of asthma in young children.

Changes in our lifestyles over recent decades have meant that the number of dust mites in our homes is now greater than ever before. Dust mites love warm, moist environments with poor ventilation. Double glazing, central heating, draft proofing and insulation have all helped to make our homes much more comfortable for the mites and the use of low temperature detergents means that fewer are killed when we wash our bedding and our clothes.

These mites themselves do not harm us, but their droppings do! These microscopic pieces of excrement easily become airborne and, when inhaled, they cause an allergic reaction.

Dust mites grow up to 0.3mm in length and are invisible to the naked eye. They live on the tiny fragments of skin that we shed every day. Their Latin name, Dermatophgoides pteronyssinus, literally means "skin eating spider". During the mite's short life time it will lay over 400 eggs and produce over 200 times its own body weight in faeces. It is these faeces that cause the problem because they contain quantities of the enzymes used by the mite to digest their food. It is these enzymes that come into contact with people and can provoke an allergic reaction. Some reports claim that 80% of young adults and children with asthma are hypersensitive to the allergens produced by dust mites.

Carpets Vs Hard Flooring

Opinions about which type of floor covering is best for those suffering from asthma differs depending on which type of flooring manufacturer you are talking to. There is little doubt that hard floors such as vinyls, laminated flooring or wood floors do not provide such a hospitable breeding ground as carpets do. It is therefore argued that these floors help to reduce the numbers of dust mites in the home.

The corresponding argument is that dust mites occur in sofas, beds and other soft furnishings and therefore hard floors do little to reduce the amount of allergen in the home. Furthermore it is not the dust mites themselves that harm us but the amount of allergenic excrement that becomes airborne in the form of dust that causes the problem. When this dust settles on a hard floor it becomes airborne again easily, however a carpet will trap this dust until it can be vacuumed safely away.

Reducing Dust Mites

• Vacuum your carpets every day (this will also help to prolong the life of your carpet).
• Use a powerful vacuum cleaner with high filtration.
• Also vacuum your upholstery, your curtains and your mattress at least once a week if not more.
• Avoid damp air from the kitchen and bathroom from circulating through your home.
• Keep the house well ventilated.
• Air rugs outside on sunny days (ultra violet light can kill dust mites).
• Freeze cuddly toys (We're not kidding! It does kill dust mites). Then wash them and hang them outside to dry.
• Wash all bedding at least once per week at 60o or more.

For more information on asthma and allergy avoidance, contact the National Asthma Campaign on 0171 226 2260 or write to Providence House, Providence Place, London N1 ONT.