Do you have difficulties sleeping due to allergy symptoms like irritated skin and eyes? Are you plagued in your own bed by pesky allergic reactions? Do you think that mold or other potentially harmful growths may be in your pillowcase even after a good wash?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you may be suffering from a dust mite allergy. Chances are that the solution to your problems may just be a hypoallergenic pillow cover. Read on to learn more about what a hypoallergenic pillow cover is and what using one can do for you.
What Are Pillow Covers?
The typical pillow cover is a protective measure against wear and tear, dust mites, dead skin cells, stains, excess moisture, and even bed bugs from entering your pillow and disrupting the sanctity and comfort of your bed. Interestingly, with dust mites, you're actually allergic to their droppings and not the mites themselves.
Dust mite covers are easy to remove and wash and are available in a wide assortment of fabrics to fit with your individual needs so that you can rest easy at night. They are also much more comfortable than a regular pillowcase, and switching to one can even improve your sleeping habits. Luckily, you can also find mattress covers and duvet covers with these same hypoallergenic bedding properties to ensure you're getting a good night's sleep.
However, even with the benefits of pillow covers comes the drawback that, depending on the fabric, using one may cause an allergic reaction and may make your bed a stressful or uncomfortable place rather than the relaxing and cozy environment we want it to be.
Common Allergic Reactions To Pillow Covers
Typical pillow cover fabrics include cotton, polyester, Tencel lyocell, and bamboo. Because cotton and polyester are not, like the latter two fabrics, naturally hypoallergenic, common seasonal allergens like mold, mildew, dust mites, pet dander and fur, and ragweed may be more likely to stick to them and subsequently cause trouble for you when you are trying to sleep.
Common allergic reactions to the aforementioned allergens include:
- Sneezing
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Itchy and watery eyes
- Itchy sinuses, throat, or ear canals
- Ear congestion
- Postnasal drainage
- Eczema
Other, slightly less common, reactions to the dust mite allergens include:
- Headache
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Coughing
When it comes to the specific fabric, polyester can also trigger its own set of specific allergic reactions for allergy sufferers, as it is a synthetic fiber common in clothing, home furnishing, and industrial fabrics that may set off contact dermatitis.
Of the two main types of contact dermatitis, the first is irritant contact dermatitis, which is the most common and usually occurs when a substance irritates the skin on contact, causing inflammation within minutes or hours of the first touch. The second is allergic contact dermatitis, which is the body’s immune system mistakenly reacting to a harmless substance and thus causing a skin reaction typically several days after exposure to the allergen. If you have a serious reaction, speak with a doctor or allergist.
A polyester allergy is most commonly due to an irritant contact dermatitis, which makes it even more paramount to find a good hypoallergenic pillow cover if you believe that this allergy sounds applicable to you.
What Does It Mean To Be Hypoallergenic?
Hypoallergenic means that a product contains fewer known allergy-producing substances than the standard or norm for that given product, and that it therefore is less likely to produce an allergic reaction.
Cosmetics, clothing, home furnishing, toys, and even pets can often be found with a hypoallergenic label, but it is important to note that this label does not mean the same levels of efficacy across all products. In fact, there is no one federal standard of what it means for a product to count as hypoallergenic, and as a result, the term ends up just meaning usually what the particular company wants it to mean in order to sell its wares.
Getting an allergy test can be helpful in at least knowing what allergens to look out for before choosing a given product. The first thing to look for before buying those seemingly perfect hypoallergenic goods in your cart is to look at the ingredients listed and how much each potentially allergy-triggering ingredient is in it in comparison to the others.
Find The Right Hypoallergenic Pillow Cover For You
Earlier, we mentioned some of the most common types of pillow cover fabrics. While polyester is not the best option for allergy bedding, as it can evoke an allergic reaction, the other three fabrics have been made into some exemplary products in the realm of trustworthy hypoallergenic options. How they can be washed differs based on the product, so make sure you check if this fabric should be washed in cold or hot water.
Take a closer look at the hypoallergenic pillow covers to choose from and what each one can do for you:
Lyocell
Lyocell is a manmade material that falls somewhere between natural and artificial fiber. Its raw material is the cellulose from wood pulp, which is then chemically broken down to be reformed into a more easily woven, thus creating a recovered or regenerated fiber.
Since its creation in 1972, it has been developed and marketed as Tencel and used to make many things, including bedding, clothing, and towels. It is a naturally hypoallergenic fabric that is good for sensitive skin. To many buyers, it is perceived as a luxury fiber, which means it is typically one of the more expensive options.
Bamboo
Bamboo fabric is typically made in a chemical process commonly known as rayon, taking purified cellulose from the wood pulp of bamboo and converting it into a soluble compound that is made into a semi-synthetic fabric.
Because bamboo grows quickly and is fairly common, it is cheaper than lyocell. On the other hand, while bamboo fabric is naturally hypoallergenic and moisture-wicking like lyocell, both fabrics are made through somewhat wasteful and environmentally harmful practices, especially compared to the process of making organic cotton.
Cotton
Cotton is one of the most commonly used fabrics in the world. It is chemically organic and therefore does not contain synthetic compounds, instead coming from cotton plants that are then harvested, separated, carded, spun, dyed, and then finally woven into materials like bedsheets, clothes, blankets, and bags.
Cotton is a very breathable, moisture-wicking, and affordable fabric. Additionally, even though 100% organic cotton fabric is more expensive than regular cotton, it is more durable, natural, and healthy than both regular cotton and most other fabrics on the market. A high thread count is also usually helpful.
The immense benefits of cotton outweigh the drawbacks and clearly stand out amongst potential fabrics and textiles, which is why we have chosen it as the ideal fabric to make up our incredible hypoallergenic pillow covers.
How Is Our Hypoallergenic Pillow Cover Different?
Our Everlasting Comfort hypoallergenic pillow covers are unmatched when it comes to both price and quality. These American-made, machine washable, and easily replaceable covers come in packs of both two and four for bed sizes standard, queen, and king. Here are some of the ways in which our hypoallergenic pillow covers are different from the rest:
They Are Completely Waterproof
This cover will keep dirt, grime, and bodily fluids away from your pillow, so it stays clean way longer. It will be zippered over your pillow for max protection. Say goodbye to dirty, stained pillows when you use this premium pillow protector.
They Are Hypoallergenic And Breathable
The material used for this pillow protector is hypoallergenic and breathable, so you’ll feel completely comfortable while you sleep at night with all the allergy relief you need. The breathable membrane of this pillow protector allows for maximum airflow to prevent any mold from developing on your pillow.
They Are Made With 100% Cotton
The Everlasting Comfort Pillow Protector is made from soft, premium cotton and nothing else. You’ll sleep better each night just from resting your head on this comforting material. The premium cotton allows for maximum comfort while protecting your pillow from allergens.
They Fully Encase Your Pillow
With regular pillowcases that you slide on, your pillow will still be exposed to dirt and bodily fluids, which makes it dirty and unusable really fast. When you use this pillow protector, your pillow will be completely encased and protected from the outside world. That means your pillow will be safe from things like bed bugs, fleas, or any other unwanted specimen.
There Is A Lifetime Replacement Guarantee
This pillow protector was made to last, but if anything ever happens to your Everlasting Comfort pillow cover, you can rest assured you won’t be without your pillow protector for long. We will send a free replacement right away!
In Conclusion
If our over 1,000 Five Star reviews are any indication, pillow covers work, and ours stand out above the rest. Use our clean, comfortable, and simple protector to prevent skin issues, maintain a hygienic sleeping space, keep bed bugs and dust mites away, and give yourself the contentment and rest you deserve. There is no better relief from the allergens and other nuisances you may face on a nightly basis than these hypoallergenic pillow covers. You'll find they work even better when you pair them with one of our memory foam pillows.
For even more options for aiding and maintaining your health, you can look at our other products or simply contact us to ask for more.
Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/health/allergies/fall-allergens
https://www.healthline.com/health/allergies/seasonal-allergies#symptoms
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/contact-dermatitis/symptoms
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