Although they are invisible to the naked eye, Dust Mites agonize millions of individuals worldwide. In fact, according to studies done at Johns Hopkins University, dust mite allergies are the greatest cause of allergy symptoms throughout the world, all year long.

So just what is a dust mite? They are microscopic insects, living off of tiny food particles and the incredibly small pieces of skin humans continually shed. Even if you clean your house regularly and thoroughly, there is always a very thin layer of dust over everything, and it is in this dust that dust mites make their home. They burrow in cloth products, such as bedding, pillows, carpets, stuffed animals, and furniture with upholstery, as well as a variety of other objects. Dust mites thrive in warm, damp environments, and summer is their favorite season.

If you're allergic to Dust Mites, you should know that it's not actually the dust mites themselves that your allergies are reacting to. Have you ever shuffled on a carpet near a beam of sunlight entering through a parted curtain? Notice how it's filled with tiny floating particles? Those are waste products kicked up by your movement. Your body reacts when these droppings are breathed in.

Asthma is also frequently triggered by Dust Mites. If you experience worsened symptoms of asthma when you go to bed, it's possible that you have a high dust mite population in your bedroom. Try getting rid of rugs and carpets from your floor. If you can't, vacuum regularly and often, changing the bag or filter frequently. A great product to use is a two-bag, HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filtered vacuum cleaner. This can aid your efforts ofremoving dust mites and similar allergens from your home. Remember to vacuum the whole house, not just your bedroom.

Dust every surface in the house, and often. To keep from stirring up the dust again, use a damp rag or mop. If dust is an allergen for you, wear a dust particle mask while cleaning.

If you have stuffed animals, put them somewhere other than the bed. Be sure to buy stuffed toys that can be washed in water that is a least 130degrees F once a week, just like your bedding.

Maintain a humidity level less than 50% in your home. Dust mites love humidity. But keep in mind that if you have asthma, the dry air can make symptoms worse, so check with your doctor before adjusting the humidity.

Use a HEPA air purifier in your room. These filters are capable to ridding 99.9% of the irritants and allergens in the air.

In the rest of the house:

Mop the floors and dust the surfaces every week, even in the closets.

Every month, change out the filters in your furnace or air-conditioning unit.

Try to decorate your house with furniture that isn't upholstered. This will reduce the number of places that dust mites can thrive.

It is almost impossible to completely get rid of dust mites. But even the smallest attempts at managing them can help out a great deal. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, in one month, simply washing your bedding once a week and encasing your box spring and mattress could limit your exposure to dust mites by 100 to 1,000 times. Your efforts can dramatically reduce your contact with this popular allergen.