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Mites in Pillows

A mite is invisible to the human eye, but just because you can't see it doesn't mean it's not there. Millions of them can live in your pillow, feeding on dead skin and hair. According to the American College of Asthma, Allergy & Immunology, approximately 10 percent of Americans have an allergic sensitivity to dust mites.

  1. What Are Mites?

    • House dust mites are microscopic bugs that can't be seen. They feed off dead skin cells and hair from humans and pets. They eat the skin cells and scales called dander, which fall onto furniture, cushions and pillows. Millions of mites can live in these household items, eating the dander and leaving behind feces. Mites are generally harmless as they don't carry diseases. However, people can have a reaction to them if they have allergies and are asthmatics.

    Life Cycle

    • The life cycle from an egg to an adult mite is one month. Adults live for another one to three months. An adult female can lay between 40 to 80 eggs singly or in small groups of three to five. They live on dander and get additional nutrients from fungi, crumbs, cereal and pet food.

    Habitat

    • Mites like to live in warm, moist surroundings. They also need a place where dander will collect in large amounts for them to feed on. Laying your head on a pillow for eight hours a night will create a warm, moist place for mites to gather. The dander from your face and fallen hair will make for a good mite population on the pillow. Other places in the home mites can be found are bedroom carpets, mattresses, chairs and cushions.

    Allergies

    • Mites are not harmful to humans. People can become allergic to the feces they leave on pillows. It is usually a respiratory reaction, including sneezing, itching, wheezing and watery eyes. Some people also get a red rash, headaches and fatigue. Dust mites can also cause nasal polyp growths within the nose. There is usually a genetic reason why certain people have allergic reactions to a mite's feces. However, it is also believed that high levels of mites and their feces can cause people to have an allergy even if they genetically shouldn't.

    Reduce Mites

    • There are a number of techniques to reduce the amount of mites that settle on a pillow. Change pillow cases regularly and vacuum the pillow every time the case is changed. Wash cases in very hot water, at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit. Reduce the temperature and humidity of the house as mites like warm conditions about 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

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