Could you be allergic to your bed?

We all see our bed as a place of refuge; a place to relax and recuperate after a hard day’s work. A safe haven of comfort, warmth and security. But is your bed as safe as you think it is?

Research has shown that over 12 million people could be allergic to something rather sinister that lurks in all beds… dust mites. An average bed has over 2 million of these little critters. They feed off your dead skin and set up home in your bedding.

59% of allergy sufferers said that their symptoms were worse in the bedroom. A shocking revelation that illustrates just how rampant these mites are is that your pillow will double in weight over a six month period due to the faeces they produce! A female can produce up to 100 eggs in her 10 week lifespan, taking over your bed in a matter of days.

Chris Kingsford of Tonrose linen advises that pillows should be changed at least once a year and all bedding should be washed once a week at 60°C. He adds, “The thought of these creatures in your bed is rather unpleasant, but there’s no way of preventing them. Buying good quality ben linen means it can be washed time and time again to get rid of the mites. Washing only goes so far though, and we agree with Allergy UK’s advice that bedding should be replaced frequently.” 

So what’ll it be: party in your bed tonight with 2 million mites on the guest list? I’m ordering new pillows as I write…