Allergy Question (skin, eyes, reaction, sleeping)

[Rapture]

Has anyone ever had an allergic reaction to a down comforter or one of those down pillow tops. I can't remember what their called but I wake up almost every morning with a headache and sneezing. It started when I moved to SC but at the same time we put one of those pillow tops on the bed.

[Earniefan]

Rapture, I had itchy eyes when I layed on some down feather pillows years ago at a friends house. However, we have a feather bed and a down comforter now and I don't have any problems, thank goodness I don't think I could live without them! Anyway, because of this I attribute the problem back then to them being full of dust. Is your partner having problems? It could be something in your home. Or it could be all the different weeds etc. that you didn't have where you came from. I would take the feather bed off for awhile(put in in a completely different room) and see if you still have the same problems. It will help to narrow it down anyway.

[Rapture]

Thanks - I just spoke with neighbor and they said the carpet might be the issue. They were having the same issues and got rid of all their carpeting and the problem went a way. Before I lived here I had all wood floors, so that might be it.

[Earniefan]

I have a friend whose son has to have wood floors in his bedroom due to allergies, sounds like you're onto something there. If you lived with me it'd be a good thing for you that it wasn't the bedding. I'd kick my husband to his own bed before I'd give up my down bedding, lol!

[Padgett2]

Oh yes!! An allergic reation to any kind of feathers (down) is a common allergy. It sometimes takes years to develop. The only way to be sure what it might be is to have allergy skin test done.

But it could be that you have developed an allergy to other things in your room. Good luck on finding out what it is.

[Scholar]

Yes, my family and I are all allergic to down products. A quick test that may help you is to sleep for a few nights away from the down products. Use foam pillows, comforter, and sleep as far away from the down as possible. (If your pillows and covers have been in contact with the down bedding, wash them or use something else.) I realize sleeping on the couch or somewhere may not be as comfortable, but it may give you a fairly quick idea about whether the down is the trigger.

[Rapture]

Good idea and I will be sleeping the whole next week in another house with no down bedding. The only problem is I won't be able to determine if it's the carpet or not. I have a feeling it's the carpet because the people that lived here before me had two cats and a dog. When I moved in I didn't get the feeling they shampood the carpet frequently. When I get back I'll take the down pillow top off for a couple days and see what happens. Thanks to all!

[akire]

You may be allergic to dust mites. Down is a breeding ground for them! The dust mites are so close to your face for so many hours. Hate to say it but get rid of the down comforters, I was instructed to do just this from my allergist. Also, get your casings for your mattress to eliminate your dust mites. Do an online search on dust mites.....your comfy down blanket won't feel so comforting anymore!

[Rapture]

ok, a week sleeping somewhere else and a lot less problems. The strange thing is, I stayed at one house with a dog and another with two cats and had less problems then in my house with no pets. I'm going to try taking the pillow top off.

What are casings for my mattress? Is that a cover for the mattress?

[Northwoods Voyager]

Originally Posted by Rapture

ok, a week sleeping somewhere else and a lot less problems. The strange thing is, I stayed at one house with a dog and another with two cats and had less problems then in my house with no pets. I'm going to try taking the pillow top off.

What are casings for my mattress? Is that a cover for the mattress?

Bascially, yes they are. I have mattress covers for all the beds in our home. You can get them thick or thin. They come in different qualities, sizes, etc. Any bedding store or department store will have them.

I still would check out the carpeting tho'. Esp. since the previous ownere had pets in the house. Either a commercial rug cleaner ot do-it-yourself. Would prefer commercial. OR, take up carpeting and put down a very close weave carpet or the best vinyl or tile or hardwood.

Previous post is corrct about down comforter. I'd get rid of it for awhile or cover it. Dust mites are the worst. If you ever see a picture of them, yuk. Good luck to you.