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Synthetic Pillows May be Worse for Allergies

Synthetic pillows are much more popular than feather ones. However, this study investigated the levels of pet allergens in feather and synthetic pillows and found that sythetic pillows may not be the best choice for those with allergies. To summarize:

  • The use of non-feather pillows has increased over the last few decades.

  • Researchers have previously found significantly higher levels of dust mite allergens in synthetic pillows than in feather ones.

  • Dust samples were collected from 14 pairs of pillows (consisting of one synthetic fibre-filled and one feather-filled). Each pair of pillows had been on the same bed for at least 2 years.

  • Samples were extracted, and cat and dog allergens were determined using monoclonal antibody-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

  • Total levels of pet allergens were significantly higher in the synthetic pillows (cat - 6.7-fold difference; dog - 8-fold difference)

Researchers state that the tightly woven encasements surrounding feather pillows act as a barrier for allergens.

Pediatric Allergy and Immunology July, 2000: 11; 71-73.



Dr. Mercola''s Comments Dr. Mercola's Comments:

Just another long held medical belief that does not appear to be true. As for most things in life natural is better. This reminds me of a similar push a few years ago to promote plastic cutting boards as they were less likely to develop contamination than the wooden ones. Subsequent research found out that this concept was completely flawed and wooden cutting boards are far superior. If you do have allergies to dust though, the woven encasement described above is very useful to lower your exposure and is highly recommended, no matter what type of pillow you have.





Comment on This Article Community Comments (1)
 
 
Posted On Mar 22, 2009

I don't feel this article is clearly indicating that synthetic pillows would trigger allergies more than natural feather pillows would.  This article seems unclear and poorly written over all.

There's no information about the percentage of allergy sufferers who are allergic to dust mites and the percentage allergic to feathers.  There's no explanation of why the amount and type of animal dander that embeds itself into a synthetic verses a feather pillow is relevant information.  

Finding out that synthetic pillows trap more animal dander, should tell pet owners who suffer from allergies to switch to feather pillows.  However, if they are allergic to their own pet's dander, they should consider not owning a pet.  Also if they are allergic to one type of pet dander, that makes it more likely they'd be allergic to feathers as well.  

The health care professionals I've seen for assistance with my allergies, tell me I have the worst allergies they've ever encountered.  If I sleep with a feather pillow I wake up with a sever headache, throat irritation, completely blocked nasal passages, and swollen, red, inflamed, sometimes crusted eyes.  I have none of those symptoms sleeping on a synthetic pillow.  I also sleep fine with buckwheat hull pillows, which is odd because I react to similar plants if ingested or environmentally, especially when in bloom.  

My opinion is this is a useless article and I'm guessing that if a person reacts to animal dander, they should avoid feather pillows and pets.  


 
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