Dust Mites and Eczema

Method 3: Stay in an alpine region

House dust mite droppings are strongly linked to eczema. You can easily test whether you are allergic to house dust mite droppings by spending a long holiday in an alpine region. House dust mites are not able to survive above 1,600 m. If the eczema clears or improves during your stay in the mountains, you are allergic to house dust mite droppings.

It is most probably not feasible to live permanently in alpine region, but you could try to spend some of your annual holidays in the mountains.

For the rest of the year, you can only reduce your exposure to house dust mite droppings by:
damp-dusting (not dry-dust) and vacuuming the house at least once a week; concentrate mainly on the rooms you spend most time in.

Try to use a vacuum cleaner with special exhaust filters.

arranging furniture, ornaments, toys etc. in such a way to avoid dust-collecting areas which are difficult to clean,

washing sheets, blankets and duvets weekly at a temperature of at least 55º C to kill mites

hanging sheets, blankets and duvets outside to air whenever possible, giving furry toys a weekly stay in the freezer. The water in the mites freezes and kills them. You can wash them afterwards.