You can buy anti-dust mite bedding covers which are designed to prevent dust mites thriving and to stop allergens passing through. These are reported to be very effective. Using special covers on your existing bedding is a cheap and easy alternative to replacing all of it. Also available are anti-dust mite pillows and duvets in special synthetic materials that can be washed at 95°C (200°F). This will kill dust mites outright. (>pages 288-9 for stockists.)
If you are chemically sensitive, you are unlikely to be able to use any of these anti-dust mite products which are of pure synthetic or synthetic/cotton blend materials. Try using a mattress cover or under-sheet of pure cotton or pure wool which will help to protect you in part (but not totally) against dust mite allergens.
Pure cotton bedding is a good choice for most people with allergies and chemical sensitivity. It is less likely to cause allergy than other natural materials, especially wool and feathers. Moreover, pure cotton blankets can be washed at over 60°C (140°F), which will kill dust mites. Avoid pure cotton bedlinen labelled ‘Easycare’ or ‘Crease Resistant’ if you are chemically sensitive as these will be chemically treated.
If you are allergic to feathers, you can buy modified feather and down pillows and duvets which have been specially treated to remove the allergenic quality of the feathers. These have a lifetime moneyback guarantee, should you react to the feathers or the treatment at any time.
If you need to replace your mattress, choose a pure natural fibre mattress if you are chemically sensitive. If you are not chemically sensitive, you have the option of a latex or synthetic mattress.
If you have multiple allergies, you could try more unusual and expensive materials, such as linen or silk, or unusual products such as wool pillows or wool or silk duvets. Go to page 284 for advice on how to cope, and what to try. If you want to know more about fibres.
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