The main food source of house dust mites is skin flakes shed by people and pets.
Our skin renews itself constantly and we shed small amounts of skin every day. A large share of these flakes collects in the bed while we sleep. Mites feed on these particles, digesting them with the help of certain microscopic fungi present in the environment.
When skin flakes, body heat and moisture from sweat come together, the bed becomes an ideal habitat for mites. That is why measures in mite allergy focus first on the bedroom: mite-proof covers, washing bedding at 60 °C and humidity control.
This article is for general information only; consult your physician for diagnosis and treatment.
