Skin irritation and eczema When your sheets aren't clean, the fabric can irritate your skin when it rubs against it. This irritation along with the bacteria on your sheets can cause skin irritation or even a bacterial infection known as eczema.
Many people with eczema find that wool and synthetic materials, such as polyester and nylon, cause overheating, sweating and irritation, which set off the dreaded itch. Rough seams, fibres, fastenings and threads can also cause problems for sensitive skin.
Lightweight and breathable fabrics such as silk do not cause irritation, nor trigger allergies and are a better option than cotton, synthetic or linen sheets. A good companion for silk pillowcases and sheets are pillows stuffed with feathers and a breathable cotton mattress for added comfort.
It's well known that some people are susceptible to allergies. The main causes of allergic reactions from bed sheets are dust mites and mold, which live in almost every bed. Dust mites in particular are just a fact of life, living off discarded skin cells, which form common house dust.
Over time, invisible pests like bacteria and dust mites can also accumulate on your bedding. These contaminants may not just be unsettling to think about as you crawl into bed. Sleeping on dirty bedding could have some health consequences, such as skin breakouts, allergy attacks and even fungal infections.
"Not only will you get stains everywhere, but bacteria can start to build up in the fibers, which can cause annoying whiteheads and patchy pimples, or exacerbate already existing acne — even if you have cleaned your skin," says Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi, director of Capital Laser and Skin Care.
Experts recommend washing or changing sheets once a week.
All those dead cells pile up on your sheets in between washings. Tiny dust mites love to feed on the shed cells. The critters and their droppings can trigger allergies, asthma, and cause your itchy eczema to flare. If you're allergic to dust mites, wash bedding every week in hot water.
The ideal fabrics for sensitive skin include cotton, silk, and bamboo, which are hypoallergenic and breathable, keeping the skin dry and cool. Bed sheets made from synthetic materials such as polyester or rayon should be avoided as they can trap heat and moisture, leading to skin irritation.
You may be able to tell you have dust mites in the home, by a continual round of some of the following allergic symptoms: Itchy nose. Stuffy or runny nose. Facial pain due to sinus pressure.
The good news is you're not going crazy; the bad news is that eczema symptoms can get worse at night. Here's why: Your body's levels of cortisol peak in the middle of the night. This hormone helps control inflammation and itch, so that's why you feel naturally less itchy first thing in the morning.
During the daytime, the body produces a natural anti-inflammatory called cortisol. Unfortunately, our cortisol levels drop during the night. This can leave eczema sufferers without the natural 'protection' against itchy, heated skin.
In order to cut down on house-dust-mite droppings, wash bed linen regularly – if possible, at least twice a week – and pillows and duvets every 4–6 weeks at 60°C. tumble drying on a hot setting will also help to destroy house-dust mites. Washing bedding regularly is important for getting rid of treatment residue, too.
Eczema triggers
Common triggers include: irritants – such as soaps and detergents, including shampoo, washing-up liquid and bubble bath. environmental factors or allergens – such as cold and dry weather, dampness, and more specific things such as house dust mites, pet fur, pollen and moulds.
Potential eczema triggers include skin irritants, foods, inhaled allergens, climate, environmental factors, hormones, and stress (NICE, 2007).
Due to problems with the skin barrier and an increase of bacteria on the skin, people with eczema are prone to skin infections from both bacteria and viruses, especially staph and herpes.
One fabric highly recommended for eczema sufferers is bamboo, due to the silky soft and smooth fibers that feel cool to the touch and are hypoallergenic. Fibers that are scratchy, too 'natural' or have frayed threads can grab onto your sensitive skin, sore patches or inflamed areas.
Choose only 100% natural fibers to sleep in, including: cotton, linen, silk and wool. These allow your skin to breathe while naturally wicking moisture away from your body.
Turn Up the Heat. If you have skin allergies that are triggered by dust mites, pollen or other microscopic particles, try washing your bedding in hot water. This will kill off dust mites and other irritating microbes.
Bed and bedding.
Wash sheets, pillowcases and blankets at least once a week in water heated to at least 130 F (54 C). Remove, wash or cover comforters. Replace wool or feather bedding with synthetic materials.
The symptoms vary. Dr. Davis: Atopic dermatitis tends to be red, weepy, crusty, itchy, flaky patches, like oval or circular-shaped areas on the skin. Our skin is like a brick wall. And over time as we age, or genetically if we are predisposed to sensitive skin, it can look like a wicker basket more than a brick wall.
When your sheets aren't clean, the fabric can irritate your skin when it rubs against it. This irritation along with the bacteria on your sheets can cause skin irritation or even a bacterial infection known as eczema.
They will still live in your sheets, pillowcases and blankets, but with regular washing with hot water, you can keep the numbers down. Myth #4: People with asthma don't have to worry about dust mites. Fact: Dust mites are a concern for people with dust mite allergy.