Dust Mite Allergens in Mattresses Show Direct Link To Onset Of Asthma

With 20 per cent of New Zealand’s children and 15 per cent of adults suffering from asthma experts are urging people to take a look at their living environment in a bid to increase awareness of how surroundings can aggravate the condition.

Protect•A•Bed CEO, David Kaplan, said, Asthma can be prompted by a number of factors and knowing what these include is important to alleviating symptoms and lessening the impact the condition has on day to day life.

“The effect of Asthma can be huge; approximately 500,000 school days are lost to Asthma each year in New Zealand . The more people know about what starts off their Asthma the more they can do to lessen the consequence of the condition by avoiding or reducing exposure to their triggers.”

According to research one of the most common causes of Asthma is dust mites .

“It’s been long proven that Asthma can be triggered from the continual exposure to dust mite allergens. Around 30 per cent of New Zealanders are allergic to dust mites and while mites are not parasitic, each year they are still responsible for up to 60,000 deaths worldwide for their association with Asthma,” David said.

“One of the primary places dust mites accumulate is in a mattress, with the typical mattress containing anywhere from 100,000 to 1 million mites. At any one point only five per cent of these dust mites are alive, and it’s their faecal pellets and the dead dust mites that contain a series of proteins that are highly allergenic for susceptible people, setting off Asthma symptoms and attacks.”

David advises that Asthma sufferers assess their surroundings including their sleep environment as one of the first steps to easing symptoms.

“Often people seek medical assistance before assessing the environment they live in. They need to understand just how big a role the sleep area plays when it comes to their health.

“Dust mites thrive in dark, dens, warm habitats, so mattresses, quilts and pillows serve as a breeding ground for mites.

“One simple way to keep your bedding free of mites is by using mattress and pillow protectors.

“Bedding protectors keep the sleep environment allergy-free by creating a barrier between dust mites and other triggers frequently found in mattress and pillows.

“While mattress protectors may be the most effective method of isolating people from the mites and allergens in their bedding, unless old mattresses and pillows are also treated, the mites will continue to survive beneath the protector.

“Sheets need to be washed frequently and mattresses changed regularly to eliminate underlying allergens. Protectors also ought to be washed regularly to keep the sleep environment clean and for maximum alleviation of symptoms.”

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For further information contact; Sarah Alexander – Willcox from PR-ink Ltd, mobile 021 400 458 or email: sarah@pr-ink.co.nz


Tips for relieving Asthma triggers:
• Dust mites thrive in humid environments - airing fabrics in direct sunlight reduces humidity and dehydrates dust mites.
• Reduce indoor humidity by using dehumidifiers/air conditioners.
• Use hypoallergenic bedding.
• Cover mattresses, quilts and pillows with breathable yet waterproof bedding protectors such as Protect•A•Bed.
• Wash bedding monthly in hot water (above 55 degrees) to kill dust mites and remove allergens from fabric.
• For wash temperatures 55 degrees, the use of laundry additives such as benzyl benzoate or essential oils of tea-tree and eucalyptus can have a lethal effect on dust mites.
• Domestic redesign reduces the available habitat for dust mites and involves the replacement of carpets with vinyl, tiles or bare wooden floors.
• Regular dusting and vacuuming will help remove dust from carpet and textile furnishings.


About Protect-A-Bed
Protect•A•Bed® (Snugfit Australia Pty Ltd) is a proud Australian manufacturer of premium bedding protection products and is the world’s number one selling mattress protector. Established in Australia 16 years ago, today Protect•A•Bed® has partners and distributors in 28 countries worldwide.

Protect•A•Bed® is dedicated to improving the sleep environment of every Australian for better health and quality of sleep. Every mattress, quilt and pillow needs protection against breeding bacteria and dust mites allergens which are the major causes of asthma allergies and eczema. Protect•A•Bed® also has solutions for bed bug infestations which are at pandemic proportions in the USA and have risen by 4600% since 2000 in Australia. The range of products includes state-of-the art mattress protectors, full mattress encasements, pillow protectors and cot mattress protectors designed to promote health and hygiene while allowing for allergy-free, comfortable and luxurious sleep.