Dust mites the culprit in asthma attack!

The level of dust mites in the bedroom can be reduced by regularly replacing old mattresses and increasing the room's ventilation.

Dust mites which are microscopic arachnids live indoors in household dust. Dust mite feces contain a protein that is a powerful allergen for many people. After a certain length of time, the feces dry up and turns into powder, allowing it to become airborne. When an allergic person inhales the powder, an allergic reaction or asthma attack often follows.

There are several steps allergic individuals can take to reduce their household exposure to dust mites. These include thoroughly dusting and vacuuming the home at least once a week and using air conditioning and dehumidifiers to help reduce humidity.

Scientists at the Municipal Institute of Medical Research in Barcelona, Spain suggest that replacing mattresses and adding more ventilation can also help reduce the levels of the allergen.