Introduction
Mites are eight-legged tiny relatives of spiders. They are usually small and cannot be seen by the naked eye. Most mites are harmless. Mites live on mattresses, curtains, carpets, and bedding. They usually feed on dead bodies. Various types of mites present in the environmental surroundings tend to cause minor symptoms. Few mites have the potential to transmit disease to humans. Proper cleaning of the house is important for preventing mites from entering the house.
What Are Mites?
Mites are tiny bugs and are usually less than 1 mm (millimeter) in length. They belong to the spider family. Most mites do not affect human health, but few can. Mites rarely transmit disease to humans and can be found on carpets, sofas, and bedsheets. Approximately 50,000 species are described worldwide. They may enter from the gaps present in the house. There are various types of mites with different biting, eating, and bloodsucking habits. Mites are predators, scavengers, or parasites of insects, animals, and plants. Some may transmit diseases, affect honeybee colonies, cause agricultural losses, or cause allergies or dermatitis in humans.
However, the majority of mites get unnoticed and have no direct effects on human beings. Some mites can bite human beings causing itchy swelling and irritation. Most mites only bite humans when the host is unavailable such as bird mites or tropical rat mites. Other mites that cause contact dermatitis include various mold mites and a variety of grains. Most of the mites do not bite humans but may create a nuisance in the house.
What Are the Different Types of Mites?
The different types of mites are as follows:
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Clover Mites: They do not cause health issues or bite humans. They can come through big buildings or by storms. They are green, brown, or red in color with long front legs. They can lay more than thousands of eggs in the house. They usually feed on plants in cold weather, springs, and summer.
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House Dust Mites: They are very small and can be seen with the naked eye. When inhaled can cause allergies such as asthma attacks. They mostly eat dead skin and dander present on cushions, mattresses, and pillows.
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Itch Mites: They are smaller species of mites that feed on insects and bite animals and insects. They tend to infest plant material like hay, grass, straw, and leaves.
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Chiggers: They release skin-digesting saliva that dissolves the skin and usually bites.
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Demodex Mites: They feed on oil inside the hair follicle and dead skin.
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Oak Mites: They feed on midge fly larvae and can even bite people.
What Are the Symptoms of Mites?
The symptoms of mites are as follows:
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Itching.
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Red spots.
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Rashes.
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Skin lumps.
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Acne-like a blemish.
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Patches of inflamed or dry skin on the face.
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Chills.
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Pus or fluid leaking from the bite.
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Cough.
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Congestion.
What Are Scabies?
Scabies refers to a contagious disease that leads to itchy skin and is caused by tiny burrowing mites called Sarcoptes scabiei. Intense itching is seen in the area where the mite burrows. The urge to scratch occurs mostly at night. It can spread from one person to another. Medicated pills or skin creams kill the mites that cause scabies and their eggs. It is a tiny eight-legged mite. It is a worldwide problem that spreads mostly in tropical and subtropical areas.
How to Prevent Mites?
The various ways to prevent mites are as follows:
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The rooms and workspace should always be cleaned using a vacuum cleaner.
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The cracks and gaps should be filled if present in the house as these cracks will help the mites to enter the house.
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High-quality air filters can be installed to prevent the entry of mites through the dust.
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Curtains, bedding, and furniture should be washed regularly to avoid the presence of mites.
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A bite from mites can lead to itching, which can be resolved by applying Hydrocortisone cream.
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Application of insect repellent for protection against mites that bite.
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Wearing long trousers, pants, and shirts when walking through dense vegetation or tall grass.
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Washing utensils in steam water or hot water is the best way to eliminate the mite presence.
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Pesticide control can be done for the prevention of mites. Pesticides used against mites, known as acaricides, or miticides, can be effective against chiggers and clover mites in grassy areas.
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Wiping the dust on surfaces using a damp cloth.
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Elimination of vegetation to prevent access to mites.
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If vegetation removal is not possible, spraying insecticides on vegetation can work.
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Sleeping on the floor of mud houses should be avoided.
How to Treat Mite Bite?
The bite of mite can be treated by the following methods:
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Anti-itch Medications: They are effective at preventing people from scratching their bites. The medications include Calamine lotion or Hydrocortisone.
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Ice: In case of unavailability or access to medications, ice can be applied to the bite area to relieve the scratch.
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Bath Or Shower: A person should take a shower or bath whenever the mite bites. Soap and scrubbing water is the best way to get relief from an insect bite.
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Medical Attention: It is considered when the mite exposure is severe, then medical help should be considered.
Conclusion
Mites refer to groups of insect-like organisms that can bite or cause irritation to the skin. Most mites never come in human contact. Some mites are invisible and sometimes naked from normal vision. Some mites parasitize man, animals, scavengers, and plants, while others prey on arthropods and other insects. Most mites cause itching and mild skin irritation, which do not require medical treatment. People can treat mite bites with topical corticosteroids, allergy injections, and antihistamines. Dust mites can be prevented by using rosemary, eucalyptus, and clove oil. It can be sprayed on couches, drapes, and mattresses. A vacuum sweeper is considered a valuable weapon in controlling various arsenal mites. Vacuuming can be less effective in some cases. Floor covering, draperies, furniture, and bedding should be cleaned to prevent the entry of mites.
