How to get rid of dust mites in your bed

For those of use who suffer from allergies, sleeping well can be particularly hard to achieve. An invasion of pollen, dust mites and pet dander unleashes allergic reactions just when we most need to reach slumberland. While certain brands sell anti-allergy mattress and pillow covers, coverings alone can't beat the critters that provoke respiratory problems. You'll need an overall dust-mite reduction strategy and here's how you can start.

• Microscopic eight-legged dust mites thrive where there's high humidity and lots of human skin scales — the dead skin cells our bodies slough off around the clock — to eat.
• Their favourite haunts are pillows and mattresses, making bedtime unbearable for the millions of people allergic to the mites.
• Allergists' standard mite-control advice — to invest in anti-allergy covers for pillows and mattresses — won't work if it's the only step you take to discourage the critters.

• In several studies, mite-trapping bed covers did little to ease the sneezing, runny nose, coughing and watery eyes that come with a dust-mite allergy.
• In a study of 30 women and men with asthma, those who used anti-allergy mattress covers had lower levels of some types of dust mites on mattresses, but their lung function didn't improve and they used "rescue" medicines — usually reserved for relief during an asthma attack — just as often as people whose beds didn't have mattress covers.
• Two other studies — one of 1,122 people and one of 279 women and men — found similar results: fewer mites, but no reduction in symptoms.

The covers may work better as part of a larger strategy that includes:

• Washing bedding weekly in 55°C/130°F water
• Lowering humidity (below 40 percent is optimal) with an air conditioner or dehumidifier
• Using washable area rugs instead of wall-to-wall carpeting in your bedroom
• Using wood, leather or vinyl chairs instead of mite-friendly upholstered ones.