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Just in Case: Some Asthma Pillow Talk
While most of us throw pillowcases in the laundry every
week as part of our household chores, we don’t replace the
pillows we sleep on every night. In fact, some pillows are
used repeatedly for years without being replaced or even
aired out. Unpleasant as the thought may be, changing your
pillow case daily will still not eradicate the allergens
probably lurking within the pillow stuffing. People with
asthma should keep this in mind.
What kind of microscopic creatures might be sharing our
beds with us? Dust mites, bacteria, fungus, and mold
number among the unwanted guests in our bedding. The
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences states
that 45 percent of U.S. bedrooms harbor dust mite
concentrations that exceed allergic sensitivity levels.
We need to keep our homes clean and well aired, so that
the pathogens or microscopic bacteria do not cause much
harm. You do not have to be overtly worried about the
bacteria, but yes if there is a person in the house who
suffers from asthma, allergies or respiratory problems,
then the house definitely needs to be kept clean and aired.
To combat this problem, allergists and other health experts
recommend that pillows be replaced frequently to prevent a
buildup of dust and bacteria and subsequent chronic
allergies. Hollander Home Fashions recommends changing
your pillow every one to two years to ensure maximum
comfort and minimal buildup of allergens. Allergen-
barrier bedding protectors are another option and can
protect the sleeper from irritants in both the mattress
and pillow. Other recommendations are to wash all bedding
weekly in hot water, 130-160 degrees, and steam-clean the
bedroom carpet and curtains frequently.
A study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical
Immunology stated that the common cause of allergic
asthma for children is the house dust mite allergy. The
conclusion of the study was that children with allergic
asthma would benefit if they changed their bedding to the
one that is encased in allergy proof material.
It would be a good idea to shift to allergen resistant
pillow and mattress coverings, along with replacing your
pillows every six months to two years. Pillows made from
polyester fiber are a good choice. Pillows can also be
encased in plastic or vapor permeable fabrics. People
suffering from allergies can use pillows made out of
hypoallergenic material that has been cleaned with
specialized soaps. Bedding encasings made out of
polyurethane are also available. These are impermeable to
allergens but absorb perspiration.
The environment of your home also decides the intensity
of dust mites and other allergens in your bedding. For
example, if you have a dusty climate and an airy home
then there would be more dust and hence, more dust mites.
On the other hand, if you have an airtight home, then too
you are prone to allergens and dust mites, as they will
be trapped inside. As a result, people with homes in
dusty or humid and moldy climate should think about
changing their bedding such as pillows, more often than
others.
All experts agree that to combat pathogens, bacteria and
dust mites in your bedrooms one must get the bedding
laundered in hot water and replace pillows frequently.
For asthma patients, replacing pillows once every year
would be a good idea.
