Dust, pollen, mold, and chemicals are just a few of the various biological and man-made substances that can assault your airways When these substances enter the body through your nose, mouth, skin, or eyes, some people's immune systems overreact. lead to a stuffy nose, inflamed airways, and itchiness — a condition otherwise known as allergies. Many of these potential allergens can come from an unlikelyBut there's a simple way to ease your symptoms without a lot of effort. You can encase your mattress in a special outer cover, called an allergy Allergy rates have been skyrocketing since the 1950s, with an estimated 20% of people in developed countries suffering from the miserable condition. And scientists have been looking to our homes as one source of our misery. "You talk about why people have allergies, everyone's blaming all sorts of things," Philip Tierno, a microbiologist and pathologist at the New York University School of Medicine, told Tech Insider.
"In reality, it’s right under your nose." And by "under your nose," Tierno is referring to your home — specifically, your bedding, including your pillows and your a third of their lives sleeping. mattress, pillows, and bed sheets harbor an abundance of mattress alone contains dust mites, fungal spores, bacteria, plasticisers, flame retardants, and human skin cells; which can exacerbate or cause asthma, allergies, or even a simple And no one is immune. "Even [if] you’re not allergic, you will respond to dust mites debris and dust mites in an allergic way," Tierno said. "Everybody responds, especially to the feces of dust mites. Dust is basically everywhere." But while dust is a major culprit — the average 1,500 square foot house collects about 40 pounds of dust every year — it's only part of the problem. 2015, researchers found that feather and synthetic pillows aged 1.5 to 20 years contained between 4 and 17 different species
Another study from 2014 found that simply rolling from your stomach onto your back was enough to resuspend allergy-causing particles to detectable levels in the air. So what can you do to minimize your contact with thisThat's where that simple allergy barrier comes in, Tierno said. The impervious outer cover that fully encases your mattress and pillows can shield you from the nasty things lurking within them. In addition, you should also wash your bed sheets — which also accumulate dramatic amounts of debris — at least once a week in hot water. "You’re breathing that air in eight hours a day, every day of your life," Tierno said. "That's why it's imperative to keep it relatively clean, so you don't overexpose your body to these Allergy barriers, such as this one from Allersoft, are relatively cheap. set you back about $60 to $80, depending upon the size of your They are water-proof but not vapor-proof, so they'll allow
gaseous material to come out from the pillow and mattress, but not allow the passage of debris such as the bacteria, fungi, and all the other stuff swimming around in there, Tierno said. And if you don't get one, Tierno warned, be prepared to suffer the consequences: "No matter what you do, you're in trouble because you're breathing in all this accumulated garbage."The sniffles, sneezing, itchy eyes, and scratchy throat—indoor allergies can make your dream of a good night's sleep stay just a dream. Millions of Americans suffer from indoor allergies triggered by dust, dust mites, mold, pet dander, and pollen. While these allergens often lurk throughout your home, it's your bedroom that's most concerning. Allergen invasions can cost you your sleep, your health, and your well-being. Fortunately, allergy bedding can help safeguard your health and get you back to sleep. Hypoallergenic bedding includes dust mite covers for pillows, mattresses, and duvets, all designed to protect your bed from allergy-triggering dust mites and other allergens.
Depending on the severity of your symptoms, you might also consider hypoallergenic sheets, mattresses, and pillows. Read on to learn 5 things to consider when you shop for allergy bedding. Before tackling the basics like bedding type, size, and price, it's important to consider your allergies. Are you a mild allergy-sufferer? Or is your condition moderate or even severe? If you have mild allergies, you may notice your symptoms flare up lightly on occasion, usually during spring or fall allergy season. If you have moderate to severe allergies, you might suffer from allergy symptoms year-round, even missing days of school or work because of your condition. The severity of your allergies will guide your choice of fabric type and pore size, both of which are important for protecting your bedding from microscopic allergens. Next, choose the type of allergy bedding you need. If you have mild allergies, you might find that adding dust mite pillow protectors is enough to relieve your symptoms.
If you have moderate to severe allergies, consider protecting your entire bed with allergy-proof bedding for the most relief. Allergy-free bedding is available in all standard mattress sizes including twin, full, queen, and king. Some manufacturers also make bedding in specialty sizes for cribs, extra long twin beds, and California king beds. The next step is to choose your fabric type. Allergy bedding comes in a variety of fabrics from cotton to polyester to silk. The type of fabric you choose depends mainly on your preference. Like conventional bedding, allergy-free bedding comes in a variety of thread counts. A higher thread count indicates softness and possibly a smaller pore size, which we'll explain soon. Among your fabric choices are organic and non-organic varieties. Organic bedding is made without harmful chemicals and dyes, which can help protect you from skin allergies. Average pore size refers to the size of the opening in the fabric weave. This is a good indicator for how well the bedding will protect you from allergens.
Pore size is measured in microns, the same way allergens are measured. The smaller the pore size, the more allergens are blocked. Bedding with a pore size below 10 microns is recommended for helping reduce your allergies. Finally, consider price as you shop. Higher-priced allergy bedding typically has a higher thread count, a softer feel, and better durability through frequent washings. Lower-cost bedding provides great protection against allergens, but it may not be as comfortable or durable overtime. Rest assured, however, that there are many bedding brands with products at multiple price points to fit your budget. Protecting your bedding from allergens is a start, but allergy bedding is often just one tool in your allergy relief toolbox. Fight airborne allergens in your home with a HEPA air purifier and vacuum them up with a HEPA vacuum. Try using a steam cleaner to safely clean and disinfect surfaces in your home without introducing symptom-triggering chemicals. And if you're in the dark about what types of allergens lurk around in your home, use an allergen test kit to gain more knowledge so you can take control.