subject: Fighting Allergic Reactions To Down Pillows Using Down Alternatives [print this page] Fighting Allergic Reactions To Down Pillows Using Down Alternatives
A good pillow is essential for a restful night's sleep. Without a pillow, the neck and head are unsupported which can lead to both short and long-term soreness. A pillow that's excessively soft may supply insufficient support, whereas one that is too hard will be uncomfortable.
However, even if the pillow is physically comfortable, the stuffing or fill of the pillow may be a reservoir of allergens that cause disruptive allergies. Puffy, itchy eyes and an irritated, stuffy nose are but a few allergy symptoms that can negatively impact sleep.
The reason down fill can cause allergies is partly due to dust mites, a microscopic household creature not even visible to the naked eye. Dust mites take up residence in the natural clusters of down fiber. The dust mites produce an allergen which is incorrectly recognized by the immune system of some people as an infectious invader. The body starts off an immune response which leads to allergy attacks.
Forunately, people with such sensitivities can opt for a non-down or down alternative pillow. These pillows can conceivably control the severity of an allergy, and are also cheaper than their down counterparts. The non-down pillows are broadly divided into three categories, each typed by three kinds of fill. The first kind is made from natural down alternatives, such as silk from the silkworm. The second kind is a synthetic fill, which is sometimes called gel fiber fill. The third kind is known as memory-foam, oftentimes attributed to the fruits of space research.
Natural down alternatives such as silk are beloved by aficionados because of its two excellent qualities: high insulation, low weight. The popularity of silk is quite high in Asian nations because of historical and industrial advantages. For those of us here in the U.S., the disadvantage is that silk tends to be somewhat pricier.
Gel fiber synthetic pillows are likely to be the second most used fill after down. Recent improvements in the technology of polyester fibers means that they can be made almost like down, i.e. very warm but also very light and fluffy. In fact, ski clothes and sleeping bags are often stuffed with gel fiber synthetics. The consumer should be aware that the polyester fills which are best are also the most expensive. The most expensive being usually manufactured by a specialist company and licensed to various secondary industries.
Pillows are generally two component objects made of fabric and fill. A modern type of pillow is a single component object shaped from a single piece of dense memory foam. Memory foam was invented by NASA Ames for seating material in flight craft. In recent years, it has become cheap enough to incorporate into household bedding. Its comfort lies in its property of conforming to the curves of your head and neck. However, pillows made from memory foam have been reported to emit an unsettling chemical odor.
