Do you need sleep help for nagging bedtime allergies?
If you’re stuffy and sneezing when your head hits your pillow, we have some sleep help solutions for you. Believe it or not, according to the National Sleep Foundation, 20 to 50 percent of Americans suffer from annoying allergies. And, unfortunately, the wheezing and sniffling don’t always stop at night. Bedroom allergens can be highly irritating to your nasal passages and completely disrupt your much-needed rest.
True or False
The feathers in your down bedding are manifesting your chronic allergies.
According to Webmd.com, typically, the feathers do not directly cause allergies. Instead, it’s the standard 1 pint of sweat people excrete while sleeping every night, mixing with the feathers that breed perfect conditions for allergy flair-ups.
Yikes! That’s a lot of sweat!
Who knew? Not me. But the Allergist-Immunologists Physicians have known all along. They explain our natural perspiration overtime dampens the geese or duck down feathers in our comforter and pillows, manifesting mold, mildew, and dust mites. Yep. These sneaky but common nighttime allergens keep so many of us from getting the rest we desperately need to lead a healthy life. Here’s how:
- Dust mites: If we have dust in our homes, we more than likely have dust mites. Unfortunately, these microscopic pests love to ingest exfoliated dead skin cells from our bedding. The good news is we can add dust mite covers to our mattresses and pillows to keep these unseen allergens away. Washing your bedding in hot water once a week will also help keep your sinuses happy:)
- Mold: Damp feathers created by our body’s sleeping sweat is the perfect breeding ground for mold. Also, when bathrooms are adjacent to bedrooms, this added moist environment accelerates mold spores’ growth. To prevent decay in your sleep space, dry out excess moisture daily by opening windows and turning on oscillating ceiling and bathroom exhaust fans.
- Mildew: If there is a musty smell to your comforter, more than likely, it’s mildew. Decay, like mold, is created by dampness. To remove the decay at home, try mixing two warm water parts with 1 part bleach, hydrogen peroxide, or white vinegar. Spray the spots sparingly to destroy the mildew gently. Avoid saturating the material with this home cleaning method, as it can disintegrate the feathers. If the mold persists or the affected area seems large, take it to your local dry cleaning specialist for professional cleaning options.
Allergy experts tell us feathers are an ideal body covering for ducks, trapping the outdoor air away from their skin to maintain a stable body temperature.
However, for humans sleeping indoors, down comforters not only absorb unwanted moisture, but the feathers also soak up other unwanted allergens such as:
1. Lotions
2. Perfumes
3. Body oil
4. Pet dander and odors
5. Pollen
Mixing these ingredients with feathers is a recipe for agitated sinuses. So, what’s a natural alternative to down?
Wool!
Yes! Wool comforters encased in soft, natural cotton, so they’re not itchy at all! And, although you may find it’s not as complete as down, here are several reasons wool works better for humans:
1. Wool is water-resistant
2. Wool wicks away moisture from our skin
3. Wool allows perspiration to evaporate quickly
4. Wool is hypoallergenic, antimicrobial, and resists odors
5. Wool is naturally fire-resistant and biodegradable
6. Wool is naturally temperature regulating for humans
Funny, I had never thought of using wool as a comforter because of its itchy reputation. As I wrote this blog, I had to try it! I’m happy to report there are zero itchy side effects! It’s not as downy, but the fluff in the wool coupled with the super-soft cotton encasing has a comforting texture and, most importantly, it’s allergy free:)
At Tucked + Covered, our mission is better to sleep for the whole family:)
We want to provide you with bedding to suit your individual needs, giving you the sleep help you deserve:). So, if you think you or a family member is suffering from nighttime allergies, give wool a try. It’s about the exact cost as down, and the switch may be the relief you need:)