Originally published December 13 2005
Researcher studies the impact of pillows on allergies
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Ashley Woodcock, professor at England's University of Manchester, conducted research on synthetic and feather pillows and found that both contain an ecosystem of dust mites and fungi, suggesting a possible source of allergens for those suffering from nighttime respiratory complications.
It's not just fluffy feathers or marshmallowy synthetics in that comfy pillow of yours.
There are probably also more than 1 million spores of as many as 16 types of fungus.
That's what an allergy researcher found after dissecting 10 pillows that had been slept on regularly for between 18 months and 20 years.
"I was surprised at the amount of fungi," said Ashley Woodcock, professor at England's University of Manchester.
"Open up an older pillow, and it's a cesspool of mold, mildew, fungus, dust mites and mite feces," said bedding expert Dan Schecter.
The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology estimates that some 10 percent of Americans have fungal sensitivity.
Wash your pillow cover every time you wash your sheets.
If the instructions say machine-drying is recommended, use a low setting until completely dry.
The purpose of a pillow is twofold: to provide comfort and to keep your neck and spine aligned while you sleep.
Side sleepers should make sure the height of the pillow is roughly the same as the length of their shoulders (the distance between the base of the neck and the end of the shoulder).
The risk for stomach sleepers is that your head will be pushed up and back while you sleep, putting stress on your neck and spine.
His findings, published in the current Allergy journal, showed what Woodcock called a "miniature ecosystem" within both types, with dust mites eating fungi, and fungi using mite waste as a source of nitrogen and nutrition.
Shields took the pillow along to "crash with friends," even to an overnight prom event.
Wash two pillows at a time in the gentle cycle; halfway through the dryer cycle, remove and fluff to prevent lumps.
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