Study: Dust Mites Do NOT Like Unmade Beds

[matcom]

<snip>

Mothers across the nation scold their children to make their beds, but researchers say the untidy mess of blankets may ward off critters that trigger asthma and some types of allergies.

Scientists at Kingston University in London found that house dust mites can't survive in the warm, dry conditions found in an unmade bed.

The average bed could be home to up to 1.5 million house dust mites, said researcher Dr. Stephen Pretlove. They feed on scales of human skin, so they love to share our beds, according to a news release from the university.

"The allergens they produce are easily inhaled during sleep and are a major cause of illnesses such as asthma," Pretlove said. "Something as simple as leaving a bed unmade during the day can remove moisture from the sheets and mattress so the mites will dehydrate and eventually die."

The scientists have developed a computer model to track how changes in homes can reduce numbers of dust mites in beds. The next step of their research is to put dust mites into 36 houses around the United Kingdom to investigate how people's daily routines affect mite populations.

"Our findings could help building designers create healthy homes and health care workers point out environments most at risk from mites," Pretlove said.

http://www.wftv.com/health/4150408/detail.html

[merh]

1. No wonder I don't have a problem with them.

heeheee, I often leave my bed unmade.

[realFedUp]

2. lol

you find the darnedest stuff matcom.
I can see some smart kid waving this
in front of his or her parents as an
excuse to keep the mess.

[MsAnthropy]

3. I'm suddenly very itchy....

[Archae]

4. Damn it!

You beat me again, Matcom!

[mr_hat]

5. "...so the mites will dehydrate and eventually die." Now *that*

I'd like to see on the big screen.

[Sporadicus]

6. I Knew That Keeping Up With Matcom World News

would pay off one day

[The Backlash Cometh]

7. Yay! Erma Bombeck was right!

[InvisibleTouch]

8. Ah, vindication! Thank you! :) n/t

[Orsino]

9. You know you're a slob when...

...the dust mites are more finicky than you are!

[crispini]

10. Great!

Now I can leave my bed unmade and not feel guilty about it!