Dust mite allergy appears to be the most important reason for the increasing rate of asthma in children. As new houses become more and more air-tight, amounts of dust mite become higher and higher. Studies from several parts of the world have shown that the larger the amount of dust mite in the home (especially the child's bedroom), the higher the risk of dust mite allergy in children, and the greater the risk of developing asthma.

The Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario in Ottawa offers this list of things you can do to reduce the amount of dust mites in your home :

• Plastic-covered mattresses (the kinds used for cribs and toddler's beds) are ideal for reducing dust mite in your child's crib or bed - the most important source of dust mite for small children.

You should also :

• remove the bed sheets weekly,
• damp wipe the plastic mattress,
• and wash the bed sheets.

Also :

• Blankets should be washed monthly.
• When your child moves to a regular mattress, try encasing it in dust mite-proof covers from a medical supply store.
• Have a hard wood floor in the child's bedroom.
• Keep the household humidity level at 50 per cent or less.

For more information about asthma, visit HealthyOntario.

April 2004

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