Down Alternatives For Pillows and Bedding Reduce Allergy Problems
Posted by: / Category: AllergiesA good pillow is needed for a good night’s sleep. Without a pillow, the neck and head are unsupported which can cause both short and long-term soreness. A pillow that’s excessively soft may give insufficient support, whereas one that is too hard will be uncomfortable.
Finally, even if the pillow is quite comfortable, the kind of fill can become a repository for allergy-inducing irritants. These irritants lead to red, itchy eyes and congested passageways that take away from our sleep.
Research has shown that allergies are caused by microscopic dust mites that inhabit down fill material. Dust mites cohabit the living space of people, making their homes in the fluffy, airy space of down clusters. Dead human skin provides them with a source of nutrients. When your body detects an allergen made by the dust mite, it can overreact by setting off an immune reaction. This is the basis of down allergies.
Many people suffering from down allergies will turn toward down alternatives for their pillows. Such pillows may be effective at reducing allergies depending on the exact kinds of sensitivities. There are three major kinds of down alternatives. The first type is constructed of natural material, in most cases silk. The second type is polyester-derived fibers that mimic down. The third is high tech foam which contours to the body but retains its original shape.
The down alternatives that come from natural sources such as silk are prized by many people. Silk especially is a very light but heat-preserving material that is widely used and sought after in Japan and China. The only problem for consumers here in the U.S. is that silk can be somewhat expensive.
Gel fiber synthetic pillows are likely to be the second most used fill after down. Recent improvements in the technology of polyester fibers means that they can be made almost like down, i.e. very warm but also very light and fluffy. In fact, ski clothes and sleeping bags are often stuffed with gel fiber synthetics. The consumer should be aware that the polyester fills which are best are also the most expensive. The most expensive being usually manufactured by a specialist company and licensed to various secondary industries.
The traditional construction of a pillow is two piece: a bundle of fill enclosed by a fabric pillow case. Memory foam pillows up-end this traditional construction by being made from a single piece of foam. Developed in the earliest days of America’s space program, memory foam has since then become ubiquitous in home bed products. Many find that it’s a good compromise between too soft and too hard, which additionally can shape almost perfectly to the shape of your head and neck.
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