Eczema - the dust connection

Dust mites and their droppings have recently been shown to weaken the skin.

In a paper published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, researchers reported finding an enzyme in dust mites and their faeces that destroys the protective function of the skin, leaving it vulnerable to other irritants.

As dust mites infest even the cleanest homes, where they thrive in bedding, carpets and other furnishings, their control offers every eczema sufferer at least one practical step to improved skin integrity, simply by reducing mite numbers.

Covering beds and bedding with dust mite-proof covers, washing bedding at 60 degrees or higher, regular vacuuming with a HEPA filter-equipped machine and reducing humidity are the main strategies that are effective against the mite.

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