Common chores can seem far from thought with the daily stresses of our lives. We may choose to ignore those items on our to do list like mopping, scrubbing the stove, or dusting which seem trivial. Although we know the dangers of not cleaning, we choose to risk it because what’s the worst that can happen? For example, it may seem obvious that a person should keep a clean and tidy bed, right? Well the truth is that in American society, only about a third wash or change their sheets weekly, which is the amount of times recommended by experts.
It’s a common mindset to not want to change a habit if there’s no visible repercussion. This may explain why more people don’t wash their sheets regularly instead of only when there’s a stain or odor. There are reasons why you should be cleaning your comforters and sheets regularly other than to just make them look and smell decent. A wide variety of substances and creatures can find a home in your bed. While some present no immediate threat to your health and sleep quality, there are some that do.
For a sleep apnea doctor in New York City you can trust, contact Dr. Shukla today to receive a consultation and treatment towards a better night’s sleep.
Leave Behinds on Your Bed
There are natural things people leave behind on their bedding during sleep which make it a target-habitat for insects and allergens to dwell in. These leave behinds can include:
- Dead skin cells: The human body naturally sheds skin throughout the day, and due to the amount of time we spend in bed, it can begin to build up. Dead skin cells are also the meal of choice for dust mites which is why they are so commonly found in bedding and other rest areas.
- Hair: We do not only shed dead skin cells but hair as well. On average, we shed 100 hair follicles a day depending on the health of your hair and scalp. Animal hair can also be transported from pets which contains more allergens and why most experts recommend bedrooms of children with allergies be pet free zones.
- Sweat: Whether it’s freezing cold or uncomfortably hot, people sweat while sleeping. Due to proximity of the bed, pillow, and blankets, our body heat is prone to spike over the course of the night.
- Bodily fluids such as saliva or naturally secreted oils: Our bodies function while we are asleep and can cause us to drool in certain positions. It’s perfectly natural, but there are ways to prevent it. Our bodies also undergo their own maintenance which causes the secretion of certain substances such as oils. These can increase moisture and humidity to provide an ideal habitat for insects like dust mites.
Effects of Dust Mites
Although dust mites are microscopic, they can reproduce rapidly with the mated female laying 60-100 eggs in its last five weeks of life. Dust mites leave their fecal matter, which has been approximated around 2,000 fecal particles on your bed. It’s this fecal matter that is the prime concern because it contains a chemical known as DerP1, which is an allergen which can cause asthmatic symptoms, eczema, or chronic sinus issues in those already allergic to it. If you aren’t allergic to dust mites, there is still a danger. Prolonged exposure may cause the development of an allergy or the weakening of your immune system.
Do-it-Yourself Remedies
Like with any ailment there are potential remedies you can perform yourself. A common method for lessening the threat of dust mites is to wash your sheets weekly. There are different methods to washing the various components of your bedding in order to remove the materials that make beds so attractive to these pests. Another solution if your bedding is worn out is to replace it completely. This can become costly and isn’t always necessary. You can also purchase protection covers for specific allergens. There are a variety of chemical remedies to bed pests, however these can increase the threat of allergic reaction and other risks if done improperly. While these home remedies for bedding are easy to do yourself and good practices to make habit, they do not guarantee results.
Sleep Apnea Doctor in New York City
If allergy symptoms continue to bother you or you are experiencing difficulty sleeping, contact the top sleep apnea doctor in New York City. Dr. Shukla has over 15 years of experience with allergies seeing various kinds in his thousands of patients annually. His expertise on the matter can identify the causes of your symptoms and offer the proper solutions. Save time and money by visiting the doctor instead of purchasing new materials.
