11 How Can Dust Mites Cause Allergies? Despite their tiny size, dust mites can cause massive problems for allergy sufferers. The trouble comes from certain proteins found in their feces, urine and dead bodies [6]. Inhaling these proteins, known as allergens, may trigger an overreaction of the immune system in some people. In these cases, your immune system mistakenly identifies them as invaders and sets off an allergic reaction, inducing the following typical allergy symptoms [1, 6]: sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, watery eyes, itchy skin or rashes, and coughing. In severe cases, it can trigger asthma attacks. The allergens are microscopic, so they can easily become airborne when you vacuum, sit on furniture, or make your bed, which makes them hard to avoid. However, there are still methods to reduce the threat of dust mites. How Can You Reduce the Level of Dust Mites? 1) Keep humidity low Dust mites thrive in warm, humid environments. Using a dehumidifier or air conditioner to keep indoor humidity below 50% makes them harder to survive and reproduce [6] because the water balance can’t be maintained at the supracoxal glands, so adult dust mites will dehydrate and eventually die [2]. 2) Wash bedding frequently Since dust mites love to live in your bedding, make it a habit to wash your sheets, pillowcases, and blankets in hot water every week. A water temperature higher than 60°C can effectively kill dust mites and their eggs [1, 2]. 3) Dust regularly Dust hard surfaces regularly with a damp cloth to avoid stirring allergens into the air [6]. 4) Minimize dust-collecting surfaces Reduce clutter and avoid heavy fabrics like curtains or upholstered furniture [1, 6]. Opt for washable shades and hard flooring, such as wood or tile instead of carpets. If this is not possible, vacuum your carpets and rugs by using a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter, which can trap dust mites and their allergens [6]. 1. Cephalothorax: The prefix “cephalo-” means head in Latin, so “cephalothorax” refers to the fused head and thorax of arachnids. 談到過敏，許多人會想到花粉或寵物皮屑。但你知道嗎？ 另一個常見的元兇就隱藏在灰塵中 — 牠就是塵蟎，這種微 小生物可以搞亂你的免疫系統。在這篇文章，我們將回答一 些關於塵蟎的常見問題，解釋牠們為何如此令人困擾，並提 供一些減少家中塵蟎的方法。 甚麼是塵蟎？ 塵蟎是一種微小的生物，體型僅有四分之一毫米，幾乎無 法用肉眼看見，要用顯微鏡觀看 [1, 2]。 與有六隻腳的昆蟲不同，塵蟎是蜘蛛和蜱蟲的近親，因 此成蟲有八隻腳 [2]。昆蟲和蛛形綱動物之間的另一個關鍵 區別在於牠們的身體結構，昆蟲有三個主要身體部分 — 頭 部、胸部和腹部，而蛛形綱動物只有兩個 — 頭胸部和腹部 （註一）[3]。 雖然塵蟎不像蜘蛛那樣結網，也不像蜱蟲那樣吸血，但 牠們同樣頑強。這些微小生物會在溫暖潮濕的環境中快速 生長，75%的相對濕度是牠們繁殖的理想條件。在這種濕 度下，牠們可以通過位於第一對腳上方，名為「基節上腺」 的特殊腺體吸收足夠的水分 [2, 4]，這些腺體分泌的高滲鈉 Remember, while you can’t see dust mites, you can certainly feel their effects — and now, you know how to fight back!
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