Almost half of the United Kingdom’s population suffers from at least one allergy, and there is a huge demand for allergy-friendly bedding on the market.
There is one thing that can really disrupt a good night of sleep, and that is the uncomfortable symptoms of an allergy. With lack of sleep affecting everything from our performance at school or work to our mood, most people will do anything to keep their allergies at bay during the night.
If you want to protect yourself from allergens at night, you can invest in bedding items that reduce or create a barrier between you and them. However, there are so many options available that all the different products and terminology can be confusing.
That’s why in today’s article, we’re going to explain some of the differences to help you to make an informed decision and talk about hypo-allergenic vs anti-allergy bedding.
Hypo-allergenic vs anti-allergy bedding?
Nowadays, there are many brands and numerous amount of products that claim to be ‘hypo-allergenic or ‘anti-allergy.’ However, for someone with an allergic condition, making the wrong choice can be a severe health risk and an expensive mistake.
Anti-allergy and hypo-allergenic are terms that can be used interchangeably, but they actually refer to two different properties. Let’s talk about the difference between the two:
Hypo-allergenic
Hypo-allergenic bedding is less likely to cause allergy problems because it’s made from materials that reduce the number of allergens present or keep them at bay. In addition, it’s made from natural materials, which are gentle on the skin, unlike synthetic fabrics which can cause irritation.
Natural hypo-allergenic materials also have a high thread count, and when they do, it means they can be woven more tightly, creating a better barrier between you and allergens.
Anti-allergy
Anti-allergy bedding is treated to stop dust mites from replicating within it. Synthetic materials are used to make anti-allergy options, which allow them to be washed at a high temperature and get rid of allergens.
It is possible to find an allergy-friendly version of most bedding products, including mattresses, pillows, protectors, etc. at an affordable price, which makes them a popular choice among allergy sufferers. Here is our guide on the best anti-allergy duvets on the market today, for example.
What causes allergies?
Are you one of the millions of people in the UK who suffer from an allergy? There is a 5% increase in the number of allergy sufferers each year in the United Kingdom. Yet, despite the widespread suffering, a lot of us aren’t as educated as we should be on the issue.
For example, have you ever considered that your bedding may trigger your allergies? It is possible that your sanctuary of tranquillity that welcomes you with love after a long day of work could be the root of your allergic reactions such as asthma and eczema.
Ensuring you have specially treated non-allergenic bedding can help with the fight against allergens. Allergies can be triggered by things such as mould, dust, and pollen. However, when it comes to your bedding products, it’s often the presence of dust mites that causes the most problems.
Washing your bedding at 60° or above can kill off dust mites, but you need to understand that it’s not the mite itself that causes the allergic reaction. Dust mite faeces contain a molecule that can cause diseases such as sneezing, coughing, itching, wheezing and watery eyes. Due to the dust mites’ microscopic size (0.25-0.3 millimetres), many individuals wrongfully assume that their bed is mite-free.
However, the truth is that your bed could contain as many as 10 million of these tiny critters. Investing in specifically treated bedding is one way to further fight these mites.
Bottom line
Although we researched deeply into the topics of allergens, and preventing dust mite build-up, we strongly recommend you do your research and, if necessary, speak to a professional to further understand your allergies and how they can be treated. But, please, keep in mind that we aren’t medical professionals, and these are only our recommendations.
We hope we were able to answer the how and why when it comes down to ‘Hypo-allergenic vs anti-allergy bedding?’, and now it’s our turn to hear from you if any questions regarding the subject were left unanswered. If you want to share some information, we would gladly hear about it in the comments below.