Little-known sign your bed has dust mites that you might mistake for a cold
Colds are pretty, well, common, in the winter.
It seems like the entire nation is under the weather recently, as cases of the ' 100-day-cough' (also known as whooping cough) surges across the UK. The biggest outbreak of measles has also recently been recorded, as children are being urged to isolate for three weeks.
But, many symptoms we presume to be down to a pesky cold may actually be a sign of a completely different issue: dust mites. Experts have revealed the most common warnings of dust mites that you're probably ignoring - and shares how to get rid of them for good.
Mattress experts say those waking up with a 'dry cough' could be sleeping in a bed "infested with dust mites". 'Sneezing' and runny noses are another symptom to look out for - as bed critters can "stir up allergies".
Rebecca Swain of Winstons Beds, warns households that "uncontrollable itching" may be a sign you're "sharing a bed with a horde of dust mites". "While you can't see the critters without using a microscope, their presence can be known if you're suffering from a dry cough in the morning and itchy eyes," she added.
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Dust mites are so tiny they can't be seen with the naked eye, but are harmless to most people. However, they can trigger allergic reactions such as asthma, eczema and rhinitis - so it's important to keep your home clean.
Swain recommends anyone who thinks they're dealing with dust mites to put all the bedding on a hot wash (60C) and dust the entire bedrooms thoroughly. This will reduce the chances of them being able to spawn.
Whilst not necessarily associated with a cold, other signs of dust mites include difficulty breathing, red and itchy eyes and disrupted sleep. Experts recommend regularly vaccuuming the room, and investing in an allergen-proof bedding to alleviate some of these symptoms.
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A 2020 poll quizzed Brits on how often they washed their bedding, and discovered most of us aren't doing it frequently enough. OTTY states your covers and bottom sheets need to be cleaned once a week, due to dust mites.
If you have been ill, you should wash them more than once a week to get rid of any bacteria, and it should always be done on a hot wash. However, on average, those surveyed admitted they waited about 12 days to strip the sheets and throw them in the wash.
Pyjamas and pillowcases should also be put through the wash once a week, with the latter needing to be done more often if you're the kind of sleeper that lies on their stomach. Many of us forget about washing pillows themselves (and not just the pillowcases) but it's important to keep them clean and wash them every three months.
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