Dear Dr. Fritz,
Good day to you. I have a concern with these mites in my room. Every time, I scratch, the itchier they become – so much so that because of my scratching, I have punctured my skin and blood oozes out. Please tell me how I can eradicate the mites in my body and the surroundings of my room.
Thank you and God bless.
Jo Jo of Kapalong
Dear Jo Jo of Kapalong,
Before anything else, let’s get to know first this mite. Studies at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) in the United States suggest that more than 45 percent of U.S. homes have bedding with dust mite concentrations that exceed a level equated with allergic sensitization. I don’t have much statistics here. But, I believe they’re a real pain in the head.
Dust mites are microscopic creatures. You can’t see them through your naked eyes – as they are much smaller than 1⁄70 of an inch. They live well in warm, dark, moist places — where the temperatures are 68° to 84°F and the humidity levels are at 75 to 80 percent. That’s why your room where the sunlight can’t reach is such a luxury for these mites. They also like to live in beddings because that is where they find their biggest meals: they find your sloughed-off human skin so yummy. Moreover, if your bedding is made of polyester, it is a haven for them because it traps moisture from perspiration.
If you look at them under the microscope, they appear sightless and look like spiders.
And while they’re resting, they are resistant to poisons, so your insecticides are worthless if you hurl them at these “mity” creatures.
Whoo… we run out of space now as there are still a lot of things to talk about your issue. Let me handle this in my next column. Until then!
Dr. Fritz
(Dr. Fritz Legarde Espedilla is an aesthetic dermatologist and surgeon and a clinical sexologist. She is also trained in hypnotherapy and Medical Acupuncture. For your questions, you may send them to Dear Dr. Fritz, c/o Sunstar-Davao Publishing Inc., Door 11, Ebro-Pelayo Building 1, Juan Luna St., Barangay 29-C, Davao City, or you e-mail them to dokatlaw@gmail.com. If you don’t wish your letter to be published, we regret that we cannot answer them. Thank you for your understanding.)