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With review and feedback from Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat Associates, P.A. ENT doctor Roy Lewis, MD (Mooresville)
Your bedroom is your sanctuary, your space where you can shut out the world and get a restful night’s sleep. But if you have allergies, that rest might elude you. In fact, your bedroom can be a hotspot for allergens.
If you sleep a full night, you’re spending eight hours a day in bed. That’s a full third of your day, and that’s not including time you may spend reading or playing on your phone before you turn the lights out. The problem is, dust mites love your bed as much as you do, and if you’re allergic to them, you could be breathing in something that gives you congestion, a cough, watery eyes, and more.
Fortunately, there are many things you can do to minimize your allergen exposure. Encase your pillows, comforters, mattresses, and box springs in mite-proof covers. Make sure you wash all your bedding every week in hot water and dry it in a hot dryer. Replace your pillows every year and a half to two years, since allergens can accumulate in them.
Carpets are another place for dust mites to congregate. If your bedroom is carpeted, make sure to vacuum it at least once a week. If practical, remove the carpet from your bedroom and replace it with hardwood floors or area rugs.
The more items in your room, the more places dust has to settle. Declutter your room as much as possible. Even removing unnecessary furniture could help.
A warm, damp room can be a draw for mold and dust. Run a dehumidifier to reduce humidity and make it harder for allergens to thrive. In warmer months, use an air conditioner instead of opening the window, because that could let pollen in on top of your other allergens. An air filtration system or portable HEPA filter can help pull allergens from the air, too.
Many pet owners love to share their beds with their furry friends, but your animal could be tracking dander and other allergens into your room. If you can’t help but sleep with your pet, make sure to follow the cleaning regimens listed above and invest in a good air filter.
If you have allergies and cleaning your room just isn’t making you feel better, a CEENTA doctor can help. After testing you and determining what you’re allergic to, they will develop a treatment plan that best suits your needs. This could include anything from over-the-counter medicine to immunotherapy.
“We now have sublingual immunotherapy for dust mites if the environmental changes don't work,” CEENTA ENT doctor Roy Lewis, MD, said. “How cool is that? A pill that you place under your tongue to treat your dust mite allergies.”
Your bedroom is your sanctuary, your space where you can shut out the world and get a restful night’s sleep. Don’t let allergies take that peace and quiet from you.
This blog is for informational purposes only. For specific medical questions, please consult your doctor. Would you like an appointment with Dr. Lewis? Call 704-295-3000. You can also schedule an appointment online or through myCEENTAchart.
CEENTA ENT physician Matthew Sicard, MD, appeared on WSOC's The Daily Two on September 23rd, 2024 to discuss fall allergy relief in Charlotte and the surrounding areas.
Are your allergies worse at night? Learn about common allergy causes and what you can do to treat it with a CEENTA ENT specialist.
Is a stuffy nose preventing you from breathing? Learn more about common nasal congestion causes and how an ENT specialist at CEENTA can help.
