(I may earn a small commission on the products linked to in this post.)
Dust mites are tiny little creatures, so it’s understandable to wonder what they eat. Do dust mites eat dandruff? As creepy as the thought might be, the answer is yes.
Frankly, dust mites are gross and so is dandruff. But guess what? Almost all homes have dust mites and many people battle with dandruff (so if you have both, you’re not alone!).
In this article we’ll take a closer look at dust mites and why they like your flakes. We’ll also consider ways to reduce both dandruff and dust mites!
What is Dandruff?
Simply put, dandruff is the accumulation of skin flakes on the scalp. It can be caused by:
- Dry skin
- A sensitivity to hair products
- Seborrheic dermatitis
- Eczema
- Overgrowth of yeast
- Allergies can even cause dandruff
Although it can be an embarrassing problem, dandruff is common and there are numerous products on the market to treat it. From shampoos, to tea tree oil, to less frequent washing of hair, people find successful treatment using a variety of methods.
We recommend Maple Holistics’ Pure Tea Tree Oil Shampoo. It’s a best seller!
The Dandruff – Dust Mite Connection
Dust mites are small, invisible-to-the-eye insects that live in our homes. They are a common part of the household ecosystem, however most people never realize they exist.
Their role in our homes is to eat our waste (dead skin), and they specialize in dust because indoor dust is made up of primarily dead skin (see more dust mite facts here!). For this reason, they thrive in warm, moist areas.
Carpets and couches make great hiding places, but their favorite place is in our beds (yuck)!
People with dandruff and more generally, dry skin, shed skin at high rates. Sometimes it’s due to the environment, other times it’s an immune response to allergies.
Whatever the cause, dandruff supplies dust mites with a steady source of food and because we spend so much time in our beds, dust mites will be there to take advantage of the extra food.
It makes sense to reduce both dandruff and dust mites.
How To Get Rid Of Dust Mites In Bed
Now that you’ve figured out how to manage your dandruff, let’s take a look at dust mite prevention strategies for your bed. Dust mites are found in almost all households across the U.S.A.
The reason they thrive in our beds is because they have warmth, moisture (from sweat/body heat), and an endless supply of food (dead skin). Dust mites, however, don’t just hang out on the surface of our beds.
They hide out in our mattress, blankets, and pillows, and only come out to feed.
Thankfully there are ultra-tight woven covers that can protect our pillows, mattresses, and comforters. Below are the three covers we recommend to reduce dust mite presence in bed.
These covers can also reduce dust mite allergy symptoms and improve sleep hygiene – a win-win for everyone!
Best Dust Mite Mattress Encasement
Allersoft makes a 100% cotton mattress cover (right) that blocks all dust mites from entering or exiting your mattress. The company has been around for 25 years and conducts laboratory testing to ensure they sell the finest, and tightest, woven material.
The pore space is only 3.4 microns (more than enough to keep out dust mites) so it forms a great barrier, and its cotton so it’s breathable!
Best Dust Mite Pillow Encasement
Did you know a 2-year-old pillow’s weight can be up to 15% dust mites and their feces? In general, pillows are pretty gross and should be changed regularly.
Thankfully you can protect your pillow. Mission Allergy is the Rolls Royce of dust mite protection.
They offer both quality and luxury in soft, breathable, and durable products. I currently use Mission Allergy’s pillow covers and I’ve experienced an improvement in my allergy symptoms without sacrificing quality or comfort.
Made with premium microfiber and in the U.S.A.!
Best Dust Mite Comforter Cover
Although many companies offer pillow and mattress covers, few companies offer a comforter cover that protects from dust mites.
Mission Allergy and Allersoft both have options, but Mission Allergy is quite a bit more expensive, so check out the cover from Allersoft and chose a size that fits your bed!
Best HEPA Filter Vacuum for Dust Mites
Another option to reduce dust mites feeding on your dandruff is to get a high-quality vacuum – and not just any vacuum will do. Using a HEPA filter vacuum, it will ensure you capture the finest of particulates on your floor.
Cheaper vacuums will just blow dust around, but well-engineers vacuums, like Dyson Ball Multi Floor Upright Vacuum will keep your home and air clean. Although it has a high price point, you know what you’re getting with Dyson.
I hope you enjoyed this article answering the question “Do dust mites eat dandruff”.