polyester pillowcases & sheets for dust mites

cepheus

I'm considering buying these to see if it stops my infernal itching, particularly around my neck! I'm not sure if it's down to dust mites but worth a try. It's always if I sweat and get too warm.

Surprisingly there are very few outlets who sell pure polyester especially the fine stuff (is this known as polyester satin?) most bedding material is polyester cotton hybrid whichicj makes it difficult to search.

I'm on anti-histamines and used a insecticide skin mite ointment which prevents the dog variety of mites which can bury deep into your skin, but without success.

booter

Tbh, I'm not sure that polyester would do you any favours Natural fibres are usually recommended (over man made) to help keep skin cooler. Dunelm do a range of anti allergy bedding http://www.dunelm-mill.com/shop/bedding/anti-allergy-bedding/ supposedly treated to resist dust mites.

But if your itching is always when you sweat and get warm, I'd hazard a guess it's not dust mites (afaik, without giving medical advice , dust mite allergy shows itself with asthma/eczema/rhinitis type symptoms). Anyway, dust mites can be present anywhere there's soft furnishings, so to remove all traces, you'd need to get rid of carpets, duvets, curtains......!

For itching, before you splash out on new bedding, try washing existing bedding in "gentle" detergents, and moisturise your skin (E45 or something similar). If you have longer hair and wash it last thing, make sure it's dry before you go to bed. And if you still itch, go see the doc!

rach_k

I'd stick with natural fibres too.

It's definitely worth changing detergent as well. Have you considered soap nuts? They rinse out properly unlike most standard detergents, they're natural anyway so no harsh chemicals even if they did leave a residue, they have a mild softening effect so no need for fabric softener which could cause irritation and they are a mild insecticide so if there are dust mites, they should help with that too.

cepheus

Yeah, not much evidence I'm allergic to dust mites. I am allergic to pollen though. Latest generation anti-histamine drugs seem to work if I start in the early spring. Except for the odd sneeze this seems to get rid of it, and I have no breathing problems.

booter

My sis has really bad hay fever and is worse if bedding's washed and dried outside on the line - reckons that the pollen's all over the bedding - so she tumble dries.

System

polyester pillowcases & sheets for dust mites

You spoil your dust mites. Let them have poly/cotton like the rest :rotfl:

cepheus

I think some fibres have low porosity so it prevents the mites moving through, however there's little evidence they work. Polyester pillows can harbour more mites than feather ones, but they are washable.

On top of all that I've a shag pile carpet in the bedroom which makes the bedding all rather academic perhaps!

gardengull

Have you considered that it might be your shampoo? I have dry skin and don't use any soaps except shampoo, and I get itchy skin on the back of my neck because the shampoo runs down my neck/shoulders when I'm rinsing it off in the shower.
I use E45 Shower emollient cream instead of soap/shower gel, but it's >£6 a bottle for 200ml, so not money saving at all.

Good luck

SickFromAllergies

The majority of people who suffer from a dust mite allergy experience Respiratory symptoms (itchy eyes, runny or blocked nose, sinusitus, sneezing etc), however there are some of us who react with itchy skin or a red skin rash from dust mites mush like an eczema. This however is usually behind the knees and the elbows -mostly! To stop the dust mite allergy I use an allergy control spray called Dustroy. It is a surface spray - spayed directly onto the bedding, carpets and material surfaces, not directly onto me.

As your itch is on your neck it is most likely not a dust mite allergy. It is most likely a reaction to the shampoo that you use (as posted previously) or possibly a reaction to the washing agent of your clothes -but this less likely as again you would get this all over your body.
Hope this helps :-)

SickFromAllergies

The majority of people who suffer from a dust mite allergy experience Respiratory symptoms (itchy eyes, runny or blocked nose, sinusitus, sneezing etc), however there are some of us who react with itchy skin or a red skin rash from dust mites mush like an eczema. This however is usually behind the knees and the elbows -mostly! To stop the dust mite allergy I use an allergy control spray called Dustroy. It is a surface spray - spayed directly onto the bedding, carpets and material surfaces, not directly onto me.

As your itch is on your neck it is most likely not a dust mite allergy. It is most likely a reaction to the shampoo that you use (as posted previously) or possibly a reaction to the washing agent of your clothes -but this less likely as again you would get this all over your body.
Hope this helps :-)

cepheus

I have a neck problem so need to wash my hair lying back in the bath which causes the shampoo to trickle down my neck and upper back, so I have long suspected that's a problem. I usually rinse quickly rather than rub it in. i have restricted using bath foam as well.