What Health Issues Can Mites Cause?

Key Takeaways

Mites are widespread microscopic pests that can cause allergies, skin conditions, and rarely, diseases.
Common mite-related health issues include dust mite allergies, scabies infestations, chigger bites, and Demodex-related skin problems.
Proper cleaning, controlling humidity, and timely medical treatment are effective ways to manage mite issues.
Early detection and proactive measures can significantly minimize health risks.

Mites are tiny, nearly invisible creatures often lurking unnoticed in homes across the US. While they might seem harmless due to their size, mites can lead to significant health issues ranging from mild irritations to severe allergic reactions. Understanding how mites affect your health, recognizing symptoms early, and learning practical ways to prevent and manage infestations can help ensure a healthier, more comfortable home.

How Do Mites Affect Your Health?

Mites primarily affect human health in two ways: allergic reactions and skin irritations. While some mites directly bite or burrow into the skin, causing discomfort, others release allergens into your home’s air, triggering respiratory issues.

Respiratory Issues and Allergies

Dust mites are the most common household mites and a leading cause of indoor allergies. They thrive in warm, humid environments, feeding on dead skin cells shed by humans and pets. Their microscopic waste particles become airborne easily, triggering allergic reactions.

Symptoms of Dust Mite Allergies

Frequent sneezing
Runny or stuffy nose
Itchy, watery eyes
Persistent cough
Worsening of asthma symptoms

If these symptoms become chronic or worsen at home, it might indicate a dust mite infestation.

Skin Irritations and Itching

Several mites can cause skin discomfort:

Scabies Mites: These tiny mites burrow into the skin, laying eggs and causing intense itching, particularly at night. Scabies are highly contagious, spreading through prolonged skin contact or shared bedding.

Symptoms Include

Severe itching, especially at night
Red, blister-like bumps
Thin, burrow-like skin patterns, often between fingers, around wrists, elbows, and waist

Chiggers: Often encountered outdoors, chiggers attach to the skin, injecting saliva that causes extremely itchy red welts. Common symptoms:

Itchy, red bumps around ankles, waist, or skin folds
Prolonged itching lasting days or weeks

Bird and Rodent Mites: When birds or rodents leave nests, these mites may invade your home, biting and causing itchy red bumps and uncomfortable crawling sensations. Common symptoms:

Itchy red bites
Crawling sensations on the skin
Risk of infection due to excessive scratching

Demodex (Face Mites): Generally harmless, these mites live in hair follicles and oil glands but can sometimes cause acne-like outbreaks, redness, or irritation if their population grows excessively. Common Symptoms:

Acne-like breakouts
Redness and irritation on the face
Eye discomfort, redness, or inflammation

Recognizing a Mite Problem Early

Since mites are tiny and hard to detect, recognizing infestation symptoms is crucial. Watch for these signs to identify potential mite-related issues early:

Increased indoor allergy symptoms
Persistent nighttime itching or skin irritation
Red bumps or unexplained skin rashes
Unusual crawling sensations
Unexplained acne-like symptoms or redness, particularly on the face

Early detection allows for quicker treatment, helping to prevent infestations from worsening.

Effective Ways to Treat Mite-Related Health Issues

Allergies: Over-the-counter antihistamines or nasal corticosteroids can alleviate symptoms. Severe cases might require allergy immunotherapy (allergy shots or tablets).
Scabies: Requires prescription medications, such as topical permethrin cream or oral ivermectin.
Skin Irritations from Mite Bites: Hydrocortisone creams and antihistamines reduce itching and inflammation. For secondary infections caused by scratching, antibiotics might be necessary.

Always consult your healthcare provider for persistent or severe symptoms.

Practical Tips to Keep Your Home Mite-Free

Reducing mite populations in your home can dramatically decrease the risk of health problems. Here are easy, effective steps:

Regular Cleaning

Vacuum carpets, rugs, and upholstered furniture weekly using a HEPA-filter vacuum cleaner.
Wash bedding in hot water (above 130°F) every week to kill dust mites.

Humidity Control

Keep your home’s humidity below 50% using air conditioners, fans, and dehumidifiers to make your home less hospitable to mites.

Protective Bedding

Use an allergen-proof mattress and pillow covers to minimize exposure to dust mites.

Home Maintenance

Seal entry points, such as cracks around windows, doors, and vents, to prevent mites from entering your home.
Regularly inspect and maintain window screens.

Pet Care

Regularly groom and bathe pets, and wash their bedding frequently to reduce mite-attracting dander.

Outdoor Precautions

Remove bird and rodent nests promptly.
Clear standing water and dense vegetation around your home to reduce outdoor mite populations.

When to Seek Professional Help

If you’ve taken preventive measures yet still experience persistent allergic reactions, itching, or skin irritations, it may be time to seek professional pest control assistance. Professionals can accurately identify mite types, effectively eliminate infestations, and advise on long-term prevention strategies.

Visit our Species, Control, and DIY Guide sections for additional resources on mites and ways to tackle a mites infestation.