Category: control allergy symptoms

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Best Allergy Cover for Duvets

Now that we have pulled out our winter comforters and duvets, its time to talk about keeping them allergy-free.  So what is the best allergy cover for duvets?

In my last post, I gave several alternatives to cleaning and freshening your duvet after it has been in storage. I mentioned that one of the steps is washing the allergy-proof cover on your duvet.

Because if you have  duvets you need an allergy cover for duvets. But what if you don’t already have an  allergy cover on your duvet?  Well, it is probably loaded with allergens, but a quality allergy-proof duvet cover will give you the protection you need. Remember, all duvets will collect allergens over time.  This is true for wool and silk filled duvets (which are naturally dust mite resistant) as well as those that are filled with other natural or man-made materials.  An allergy proof cover will also keep your duvet fresh and like new for years to come.

Since most duvets are already hefty, you don’t want anything that is going to add more weight.  That is why I recommend the AllergyCare Cotton 100% cotton fabric.  It is lightweight and comfortable. It will completely encase your duvet trapping in those allergens, but it won’t add much weight.  It also won’t make the duvet hotter. This is important if you are covering an all seasons comforter. Many allergy bedding websites promote some sort of polyester knit fabric as a cost-effective cover for the duvet.  We also sell this fabric as our Bed Bug Cover, but I don’t recommend it as a duvet cover fabric.  Quite frankly, it is a hot and heavy fabric. If you don’t have bed bugs actively living in your duvet, then you don’t need that thick, heavy fabric. Also, if you are using the duvet cover as a liner, you want to stay away from anything with Pristine in the name. Pristine is a great fabric, but it is slick. You may have to contend with the cover slipping and sliding around.

The best allergy-proof duvet cover is one that does its job without you even knowing it is there!  That is why I recommend the AllergyCare Cotton 100% cotton fabric.  The specially woven fabric won’t allow dust mites, their feces or other particles to become airborne while you are sleeping.  You can safely pull that duvet all the way up to your nose and still sleep dust mite free. It can be easily laundered in your home washing machine.  It is made in the USA and made to last!

While we sell many fabrics, when it comes to a great allergy-proof duvet cover, I don’t think anything beats AllergyCare cotton.

 

Til next time!

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Allergy Control for Duvets

Wow, what happened to Fall?  We have had some crazy snow storms in the East and West and it is only the first of November.  There just seems to be something wrong with snow falling before the leaves have a chance to fall!  That means it is already time to pull out that winter duvet and start worrying about allergy control for duvets.

As we get cooler temperatures at night,  people are getting those winter-weight duvets out of storage and putting them on the bed to snuggle up.  If you aren’t careful, you will be snuggling with dust mites.  Before long sniffing, sneezing, coughing, wheezing and a host of other symptoms may ensue if you don’t take steps for allergy control.

How can you control the allergens that collect in your duvet?  I’ve got a number of suggestions. You can pick what works best for you.

Start with a duvet that is made from materials that are naturally resistant to Dust mites.  Silk and wool are both great natural choices for people with allergies.  Both wick away moisture and provide an inhospitable environment for dust mites. Now, that doesn’t mean that wool and silk duvets will not collect dust mite particles, and feces. They will. What they won’t provide is an environment that fosters the growth of dust mite colonies.

Next, be sure to encase the duvet in a zippered dust mite-proof cover.  These anti-mite proof covers will put a barrier between you and the dust mite particles and feces that will collect in any duvet.  Even though I have a wool duvet, which is naturally resistant to mites, it still has an all-cotton zippered duvet cover on it.

You can also use your household steamer to give an anti-allergen treatment to your winter duvet.  Just hang it up and apply steam to both sides of the duvet.

Be sure to move your steamer slowly enough to give the power of the steam time to contact and neutralize the allergen-causing proteins from the dust mites.  I do this a few times a year using my Vapamore steam cleaner with the fabric/upholstery attachment.

Allow the duvet to dry completely before putting your zippered cover back on.  In practical terms, I usually do the steam treatment at the same time I am washing the zippered duvet cover in De-Mite.  That way, when the cover comes out of the dryer, the duvet is nice and dry and the zippered cover is clean and I just put them back together again!

If you don’t own a steamer, you can spray your duvet with a denaturing agent like ADMS anti-allergen spray. While it won’t penetrate the way steam can, it will be effective in neutralizing the allergy-causing proteins from the dust mites and their feces.  You can also do this while your zippered cover is in the wash.  Just as with the steam treatment, make sure your duvet is completely dry before you put the zippered cover back on it.

During the cold months, you won’t need to do this process every time you change the sheets, but if you at least spray your duvet with ADMS Anti Allergen Spray monthly, you can cuddle knowing that your duvet is protected.

Til Next Time!

Cheryl
The Allergy Store

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Heat and Allergies – You Can be Allergic to Heat

Since the heat isn’t going to break anytime soon, I thought I would touch on the subject of heat and allergies.

Can you be allergic to the heat?  You can!

Cholinergic Urticaria is a type of rash or hives that is caused by an increase in body temperature.  The body temperature may be increased to to physical exertion, external heat exposure, emotional stress, or just eating spicy foods.  These hives are usually very small.  Smaller than a mosquito bite and more the size of a pin prick.  They can cover the face, torso, or legs and arms. They are more prone to appear where heat can be trapped next to the body as by clothing, the waistband of pants or underwear or the band of a hat.

It is difficult to properly diagnose this form of allergy.  Doctors can test using standard challenge tests or by exposing the body to heat. Treatment can be in the form of standard anti-histamines.  In some individuals, beta blockers can be used when the source cause is emotional stress.

This type of rash or skin allergy is not to be confused with heat rash.  Heat rash occurs when the sweat glands are clogged and the sweat can’t get to the surface of the skin.  Heat rash is not allergy-related.

As temperatures soar, grasses may start to release their pollens.  Pollens from grasses are very light-weight and are easily carried by the wind.  You might want to wear a dust mask for gardening (like the Q-Mask) if you are going to be outside on windy, dry days.

Trying to keep cool in the summer months can be tough.  But that’s why nature provides shade and cucumbers.  Did you know that the inside of a cucumber can be up to 20 degrees cooler than the outside temperature?  Cucumbers are mostly water, so eating a chilled cucumber can be refreshing.  They also contain anti-inflammatory agents. That is why they work to reduce swelling around the eyes.

I have written before about the benefits of cotton in the heat.  Sleep on cotton sheets and wear loose cotton clothing as much as possible.  This will allow sweat to evaporate, keeping the body cool and your temperature regulated.

Don’t loose your cool.  Come January and February you will be wishing for this heat!
Until next time