Do Dust Mites Bite?

We get calls from people who have woken up tired with raised bumps and itchy skin and think they have been bitten and want to know if dust mites can bite.

The short answer to the question, “Do/can dust mites bite” is NO!

Not only do they not bite, they also can’t bite. They aren’t made that way.

Dust Mite Anatomy – Why Dust Mites Can’t Bite You

Dust mites are 1/100th of an inch in size.  Dust mites are scavengers by nature. They feed on tiny scales of shed skin.  Their eating parts are not like ours  A dust mite doesn’t have a head. It has a body part known as a gnathosoma. It’s a fusion of the top most body part, legs, and the chelicerae.

The chelicerae are the cutting, piercing and grasping parts. They are too small, too dull, and too weak to remove skin from a living host. That’s why they must be scavengers.

So, as you see, they don’t have a conventional head, mouth or teeth. That’s why dust mites can not bite you.

That is not to say that there are not bugs that can get in your bed and bite at night, but the symptoms will be different.

Bed Bugs Do Bite

If you have bed bugs, the key difference is that bed bugs literally bite humans and feed off of their blood. They leave a small bump that can itch intensely. 

Bed bugs are larger than dust mites, and can be seen with the naked eye. They’re sometimes confused with dust mites because they live in bedding, carpets, and curtains. And like dust mites, they can also cause allergic reactions.

Bed bug bites tend to occur in rows of two or three.  Also, if a bug is biting you in bed, you will find small specks of blood on the sheets.   If you’ve got bug bites, don’t blame dust mites. They can’t bite you.

So now you ask, if they don’t bite and I don’t have bed bugs what is it and why don’t I feel like I did not sleep?

Dust Mite Allergy

Allergy is caused my misidentified proteins. In the case of dust mite allergy, the protein is that troublesome Der p1 from the gut. The fecal pellets and body parts contain this protein.  Basically, your immune system thinks this harmless protein is a germ.

So, you inhale the protein and your immune system gets to work. Your mast cells get all excited. You produce histamine. Histamine is an inflammatory agent. It’s germ warfare against a germ that doesn’t exist. It’s an allergic reaction. 

Dust Mite Allergy Symptoms

Itching, sneezing, watery eyes, wheezing and sneezing are symptoms of dust mite allergy. Allergic urticaria, also known as hives, is also a symptom.

These are itchy, small red bumps or wheals that may look like bug bites. While bug bites are singular, the bumps from hives will be in groups. Hives are a rash.

Do you have trouble thinking clearly in the morning? Feel like you are in a fog for a couple of hours after you get up? You just might have a dust mite allergy.

Dust mite allergy symptoms are worse in the morning.  That’s because your bedroom is the favorite spot in the house for dust mites.

Dust mites love dark, warm, slightly damp places with plenty of food. That describes your bed.  All night you sleep with dust mites. So, you feel terrible when you get up.

Now What?

Just because dust mites can’t bite you doesn’t mean you should tolerate them. You can

You can visit an allergist for a skin or blood test to determine if you have dust mite allergy.  Be sure to let the doctor’s office know if you are taking any over the counter or prescribed medications that can interfere with the test.  For example, all antihistamines must be stopped well in advance of testing.

Special Note: Testing a room for dust mites is a waste of time and energy. They are common and if people are sleeping in a room, it will have dust mites in it.  So, instead of focusing on identification it is important to focus on reducing allergen levels.

The most commonly recommended first step is to encase the mattress, box spring, and pillows in special zippered dust mite covers that are impervious to dust mites and dust mite allergens.

In addition, dust catching knickknacks should be removed from the room and the sheets, pillows, and blankets should be washed weekly in 140°F water. If you want additional information, you can follow our guide on how to kill dust mites to fight the mite.

Dust mites can make you miserable, but they can’t bite you.

Till next time,

Cheryl

PS. Allergy elimination is about eliminating the allergy-causing substance in your home the best you can. Once you do this, you may be able to eliminate the need for all the medications and doctor visits. For additional information please click here to download your free copy of” You Can Do It! Allergy Free Living.