Category Archives: Eczema

New research will delve further into the benefits of superfine Merino wool when it comes to skin conditions such as eczema.

Research has previously shown that wearing superfine Merino wool significantly improves the severity and symptoms of eczema.

Now Australian Wool Innovation is aiming to validate the successful Australian and US-based skin health studies that already exist by assessing wool's impact on childhood eczema sufferers across different climates throughout the world, teaming up with researchers in Chicago, USA and Trondheim, Norway.

How different skin types might be affected by wool will also come under scrutiny.

Associate Professor John Su is coordinating the international studies, having previously led a study through the Murdoch Children's Research Institute that proved wearing superfine Merino wool next to the skin reduced the severity of childhood eczema compared to cotton clothing.

He said that even with a small sample size of 40 children, the results showed that the effect was significant.

"In Australia we can say with some certainty that amongst the cohort that we dealt with that there were apparent benefits there," he said.

"The problem with that is you can't really generalise to all populations, so having different climates and different groups and also having a larger population to analyses just means that you can get clarification if we can reduplicate those findings across different countries and narrow down on how much potential benefit there could be."

MORE READING:

A/Prof Su said variables such as medication and weather conditions also played a role in how eczema presents in individual children, so having more data was essential.

While there has been research showing that wearing superfine Merino wool can benefit adult eczema sufferers, these studies will specifically babies and young children as they have the highest prevalence of eczema.

"In Melbourne about 30 per cent of infants have some eczema, in children as a whole it's somewhere around 15 to 20pc and then in adults around 7 to 10pc," A/Prof said.

"We're hoping if we can show wool's effect in the young age group we would be dealing with a lot of eczema sufferers and early intervention may have benefits as well."

The effort it will take to change public mindsets around wool's role in treating sensitive skin is also something scientists are keenly aware of.

ALSO IN NEWS: Why Celebrant Sam traded the tools for the wedding suit

"The problem is we're dealing with decades of fixed ideas and what we had seen when we did our literature review is a lot of the general public feelings have been based on data from the mid 1900s as well as people's experience with the old kind of coarser wools and no one has really treated fabrics with much seriousness in eczema," A/Prof Su said.

Both international studies have been significantly delayed by COVID shutdowns with the Chicago research about a quarter of the way through and work in Norway still suspended but planned to start in early 2022.

The two studies, which will each recruit about 50 children, are expected to be complete by December 2022.

Have you signed up to The Land's free daily newsletter? Register below to make sure you are up to date with everything that's important to NSW agriculture.

The story Wool benefits for childhood eczema probed in further studies first appeared on Farm Online.

See the rest here:
Treating eczema with wool: international studies underway - The Land Newspaper

I caught Omicron variant in LONDON around the same time it was discovered in South Africa, doctor claims

A doctor who was one of the worlds first people to be infected with the Omicron Covid variant believes he caught it in London, it was reported.

Elad Maorwas in the UK for a conference for three days until November 23, around the time the more virulent strain was detected by researchers in South Africa.

The 45-year-old Israeli cardiologist stayed for four nights at a hotel in Islington and experienced symptoms after returning home, then tested positive on November 27.

I got the Omicron in London, for sure, he toldThe Guardian.

That is interesting because that was 10 days ago in London really, really early.

The father-of-three explained he took a PCR test on November 20 after arriving in the UK and again the next day, in accordance with Israeli travel regulations, with both results negative.

When he arrived back inTel Aviv on November 24, he had a third PCR test, which also came back negative.

He said the only reasonable explanation is that he got infected on the last day of the meeting or possibly at the airport because the third PCR was too early to detect the infection.

Continued here:
Omicron variant news Having asthma, hay fever or eczema REDUCES risk of covid infection by a massive 4... - The Sun

Cirrhosis is a prevalent disease worldwide. It is also known as liver cirrhosis or hepatic cirrhosis, and end-stage liver disease.

It is a late stage of scarring of the liver tissues caused by many forms of liver diseases and conditions.

The scar tissues are called fibrosis. Too much fibrosis causes impaired liver function and eventually liver failure.

It means, each time your liver is injured, it tries to repair itself by forming scar tissue or fibrosis. As more and more scar tissue forms, it becomes difficult for the liver to function.

There are many causes of cirrhosis, such as obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, high alcohol consumption, hepatitis B or C infection, autoimmune diseases, cholestasis diseases, and iron or copper overload.

Its symptoms are usually slow to emerge. Early symptoms may include tiredness, weakness, loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss, nausea and sickness, and discomfort in one's upper right abdomen.

With declining liver function, cognitive impairments, confusion, memory loss, sleep disorders, and changes in personality may also develop.

The management of liver cirrhosis is centred on the treatment of the causes and complications. Liver transplantation can be required in some cases.

In order to reduce the risk of cirrhosis, you should eat a balanced diet and maintain a healthy weight. Excess body fat can damage the liver.

Reduction of risk of hepatitis B and C is necessary. Never share needles or engage in unprotected sex. Get hepatitis vaccinations.

You should speak to a doctor if any of the above mentioned symptoms is noticed. Detection in the early stages of the disease makes it easier to treat.

Continue reading here:
What is cirrhosis? what does it do? - The Daily Star

(Image source: Instagram @thebsimone)

The multifaceted B. Simone has undergone an abrupt hairstyle change to support her sister, Jordyn Genevie, who is currently battling complications stemming from topical steroid withdrawal syndrome (TSWS).

According to the National Eczema Association, the debilitating illness can arise from the use of potent topical steroids to treat skin conditions, such as eczema. Side effects can include burning, redness, wrinkling, pus-filled bumps, and hair loss.

The comedian and actress hit up social media via Instagram and YouTube to share her sisters journey.

I did the big chop in the name of love I love you baby @jordyngenevie and as long as Im living youll never go through anything alone. She had to cut her hair because she physically couldnt take care of it anymore. My sister loved her hair and I hate that she had to cut it off but theres so much healing in this. Jordyn, I cant physically go through TSW with you but we can start this beautiful healing journey together. What better way to start off and to cut off the dead weight? Im so proud of you and nobody understands what youve been going through for the past year.

I see you fight every single day and you look more beautiful to me now than ever. Its just hair, keep focusing on your spirit. I love you from the bottom of my heart to the depths of my soul. Ive never felt more beautiful and free. Thank you to my sister for giving me the courage to cut my hair while loving her, B. Simone wrote on IG.

Check out the video and photos of the sisters sharing their love for one another.

(Image source: Instagram @jordyngenevie)

(Image source: Instagram @jordyngenevie)

See the original post here:
B. Simone cuts her hair in support of sister battling illness - Rolling Out

A recent investigation from Sweden suggested that there were overlapping risk factor patterns associated with asthma, rhinitis, and eczema in adults.

Though the increase in cases of asthma, rhinitis, and eczema had been thoroughly studies in children and adolescents, according to investigators, the risk factor pattern of atopic diseases, especially as they pertain to eczema, had been underdeveloped in adult patients.

With the number of studies on these patterns being few, investigators led by Roxana Mincheva, MD, PhD, Krefting Research Center, University of Gothenburg, compared the risk factor patterns of these 3 conditions in a randomly selected adult population.

For their study, Mincheva and colleagues issued a questionnaire survey on atopic diseases which was mailed to 30,000 randomly selected adults in West Sweden, a region home to a population of 1.6 million people.

A total of 15,000 subjects were selected from the metropolitan area of Gothenburg, and 15,000 subjects were selected from the remainder of the country.

The response rate to the questionnaires was 62%, with a total of 18,087 participants enrolled in the study. Among these responders, 2000 were invited to clinical examinations while 1172 (59%) participated.

The questionnaire consisted of 3 parts, all of which were administered at the same time.

The first part was the Swedish OLIN study questionnaire, which covered asthma, thinitis, COPD, respiratory symptoms, and possible risk factors of disease such as smoking and a family history of airway disease.

The second part of the questionnaire featured questions regarding occupational and environmental exposures as well as health status.

The third and final part consisted of the Swedish Global Allergy and Asthma questionnaire, which addressed respiratory symptoms and diseases with added question about eczema.

Clinical examinations were also conducted and included objective measures of height and weight, as well as. A structured interview and a drawn blood sample.

Investigators reported that the prevalence of current asthma was 11.8 %, while the prevalence of current rhinitis and current eczema were 42.8 %, and 13.5%, respectively. A total of 2.3 % had all 3 conditions while 13.9 % had at least 2 conditions.

No mutual risk factor was identified for all 3 conditions.

The prevalence of asthma and eczema at any age, as well as current rhinitis in adult participants were all inversely associated with increasing age, as was family history of asthma and rhinitis.

Additionally, the use of rhinitis medications in the previous 12 months were more common among younger subjects, and the prevalence of allergic sensitization was 29.7% , which was decreased by age and more common among male participants.

Allergic sensitization was a strong risk factor for current asthma (OR 4.1 CI 2.76.3) and current rhinitis (OR 5.1CI 3.86.9) but not so for current eczema.

Finally, obesity was a risk factor for current asthma and current rhinitis, while farm childhood decreased the risk for current asthma and current rhinitis, and occupational exposure to gas dust or fumes and female sex was associated with an increased risk of current asthma and current eczema.

The investigators noted that no common risk factors were identified in all 3 conditions

However, some exposures and covariates, such as obesity, farm childhood and allergic sensitization are risk factors for two of the conditions but not all 3, the team wrote. Future epidemiological research on the combined determinants of the diseases is needed and especially for rhinitis and eczema.

The study, Different risk factor patterns for adult asthma, rhinitis and eczema: results from West Sweden Asthma Study, was published online in Clinical and Translational Allergy.

See the original post here:
Risk Factor Patterns Recorded in Adults with Asthma, Rhinitis, and Eczema - MD Magazine

B. Simone Fatih Over Fear Foot Action Collaboration

Source: B. Simone / B. Simone

Comedian and social media star B. Simone recently chopped off her luscious curly tresses in support of her sister whos been battling complications stemming from Topical Steroid Withdrawal Syndrome (TSWS).

According to The National Eczema Association, the debilitating condition can arise from the use of potent topical steroids to treat a skin problem, such as eczema. Side effects can include burning, redness, wrinkling, pus-filled bumps, and hair loss.

The B. Simone Beauty mogul took to Instagram where she revealed a few intimate details about her sister Jordyn Genevies struggles with TSWS. According to the stars vlog, Jordyn had been dealing with complications from the condition for about a year.

Jordyn shared that she had been struggling with dry and inflamed red skin all over her face and body. Her TSWS become so aggressive that she had to quit her job and move back in with her family this year. The B. Simone Fit entrepreneur said that she decided to support her sister after she cut her hair off to help manage symptoms associated with her condition.

In the video, B. Simone becomes emotional as she slowly clips away at her hair. This means nothing who cares? Its just hair, she says tearfully. This does not define us.

In her caption, B. Simone shared a few loving words about her sisters strength and courage.

Jordyn, I cant physically go through TSW with you but we can start this beautiful healing journey together, she wrote. What better way to start off and to cut off the dead weight. Im so proud of you and nobody understands what youve been going through for the past year. I see you fight every single day and you look more beautiful to me now than ever. Its just hair, keep focusing on your spirit. I love you from the bottom of my heart to the depths of my soul.

Simone added, Ive never felt more beautiful and free. Thank you to my sister for giving me the courage to cut my hair while loving her.

Story continues

RELATED CONTENT: Ridiculous Stigmas About Women With Short Hair

B. Simone recently debuted her new short do on Instagram and it looks amazing. The star went blonde and added a few finger waves to accentuate her beautiful hairstyle. Doesnt she look gorgeous?

RELATED CONTENT: Beauty Of 5 #420 Edition: CBD And Hemp Seed Oil Products That Will Bless Your Skin

Read more:
B. Simone Chops Off Her Curly Tresses In Support Of Her Sister Battling TSWS - Yahoo Lifestyle

Q: Im a woman in my late 50s and I keep getting a red rash around my lips that is sore, a little itchy and unsightly. Every couple of days it appears to start getting better, but then gets worse again. Someone suggested that it might be something to do with wearing a mask and recommended that I start using disposable masks rather than the cotton masks which I generally wear. I started doing this but it still hasnt gone away. Are there any creams I could use?

Dr Grant replies: Rash is always difficult to describe and diagnose without actually seeing it. I bet your doctor would have a good idea what type of rash you are suffering from just by looking at it and asking a few simple questions. You could be suffering from perioral dermatitis (POD) which is described as a symmetrical rash with multiple small (1 to 2 mm) lesions, in clusters of slightly red raised papules that may, or may not have some fluid, pus, or mild scales.

Burning or stinging sensation is common and there is a notable absence of acne. Occasionally there is a mild eczema in the underlying skin. It can occur in all age groups but is most commonly seen in women between 16 and 45. The reason why it develops is unknown although there are many potential contributing factors such as topical corticosteroids use, skin moisturisers and cosmetic products, fluctuations in normal skin flora and hormones, and oral contraceptive use. POD is benign and can even resolve spontaneously in some people.

You said your rash is a little itchy and this makes me think of allergic contact dermatitis. This rash may look similar to POD (red and scales) but with a prominent yellow scale and is usually accompanied by an intense itch. Common allergens include latex materials, protective equipment, soap, cleansers, resins, acrylics, metals (especially nickel), fragrances and topical antibiotics.

Lastly, there is a small possibility of a bacterial or fungal skin infection as the cause for your rash. Bacterial skin infections tend to have erosions, small water or pus filled vesicles, and often a superficial yellow crusting. Initial management of POD is called zero therapy and means you need to stop using all topical skin care products and cosmetics. You may wash your face with a soap substitute like aqueous cream.

If you have been using any mild topical corticosteroids on the rash you are best advised to stop. It is unclear what role topical corticosteroids play as they are capable of inducing POD or they may exacerbate pre-existing POD.

You need to keep wearing the disposable face masks to help reduce the transmission of Covid. Cotton masks are more breathable but disposable 3PLY face masks are preferred in the fight against Covid as they offer 98pc bacterial filtration efficiency. If after eight weeks there is little or no improvement then topical antibiotic therapy should be commenced and evaluated after another four to eight weeks.

Sometimes a topical medication called tacrolimus, which is used in the treatment of moderate to severe eczema, may be tried. The addition of oral antibiotic is generally the next phase of treatment. Once POD has fully cleared up, it is safe to re-introduce gentle skin cleansers and moisturisers. Be careful to start back using only one topical cosmetic product per week.

Dr Jennifer Grant is a GP with Beacon HealthCheck

Read the original:
Ask the doctor: Is my reusable mask causing the red rash around my lips and are disposable ones the answer? - Independent.ie

IT can be heartbreaking to watch your little one battle eczema.

The skin condition causes itchiness, redness and inflammation, which can be uncomfortable and sometimes sore for the sufferer.

1

There are seven types of eczema.

Atopic eczema - the most common type - is when the skin is unable to retain moisture. It becomes dry which makes the skin more likely to react to irritants.

Contact dermatitis is when bouts of eczema are caused by a specific substance, sometimes causing a reaction days later.

One in every five children is affected by eczema at some stage, according to the British Skin Foundation.

There is no cure for the condition, but sometimes people grow out of it or have long periods without it.

People live with the skin condition by using treatments and learning what triggers their flare-ups.

But Dr Derrick Phillips, Consultant Dermatologist and British Skin Foundation spokesperson, said: "It is not always possible to identify triggers for eczema.

"Parents should focus on reducing the risk of flares by addressing the skin barrier impairment with regular application of moisturisers and use of bath emollients. Any suspected triggers should be discussed with your doctor.

"Parents should see their doctors if the symptoms (itch, redness, soreness) do not improve with moisturisers, emollients and bath emollients; or there are signs of infection."

Over the years, research has been able to pinpoint common reasons why eczema flares up.

The Centre of Evidence-based Dermatology, University of Nottingham, outlined these in a 2009 paper by reviewing studies, including one which followed 60 children with the condition.

This information is likely to be useful to families and may lead to the ability to reduce disease flares in the future, they said.

It found the following were triggers in eczema, generally:

Shampoo and other detergents like shower gel, hand soap and washing-up liquid contain dozens of chemicals.

These were found to increase how much eczema bothered children day-to-day as well how much they scratched.

Interestingly, researchers said the effect of shampoo was exacerbated by the cold weather.

This was likely due to imparired skin barrier function, they said.

When the skin barrier is weaker in the cold weather - due to water loss - there is more opportunity for soaps to enter the skin and cause irritation.

There are plenty of washing alternatives for the shower or bath that are more gentle to eczema sufferers - but the best thing to do is avoid them as much as possible.

Mums have raved about Childs Farm as eczema-friendly shower and shampoo products for easy bath times with kids.

The fur of an animal - and all the mites, dust and plant pollens they carry (dander) - is a common trigger for eczema.

The study found that eczema on the hands was particularly sensitive to pets.

Its thought that some people have a dilated hypersensitive reaction to dander which causes an allergic response. This can result in an eczema flare.

While this may be more common with other peoples pets, you can reduce the risks of your own pet causing irritation by vacuuming often, getting hardwood floors and keeping your pet well-groomed.

Some studies show that kids who grow up with a pet are less likely to get eczema when theyre older. The evidence is clearer for dogs than cats.

Dust mites are an environmental irritant linked with eczema in the same category as pollen or pollution.

These tiny bugs live in the carpets, sofas, blankets and other furnishings. They are so small you cant see them.

The dust mites dont bite, but they excrete a substance that can irritate the skin.

Unfortunately there is only one way to help fix this - clean more often!

Reducing humidity in the home can also help as house dust mites thrive in humid conditions.

To help stop the scratch-cycle, try giving your child a product that relieves the itch without breaking the skin, such as a Cosi Care Scratch Star or Attack Roller.

How to cope with winter flare-ups

Dr Derrick Phillips, Consultant Dermatologist and British Skin Foundation spokesperson, said: "Winter flares are largely driven by the reduction in household humidity caused by central heating."

The risk of flares can be reduced by:

Not sitting close to radiators

Wearing layers and reducing the heating

Use of humidifiers

Warm instead of baths/showers

Moisturising immediately after baths/showers

Nylon is a kind of material used to make clothing.

When directly next to eczema, it was found in the research to worsen symptoms, particularly on the trunk and limbs.

Nylon is one of many synthetic or man-made materials that are considered problematic for people with eczema.

These types of materials can cause overheating or sweating which can set off the dreaded itch feeling.

Meanwhile wool, which is a natural material, was found to be irritating for the limbs.

Wool can feel rough on the skin which is a nightmare for people with already sensitive, itchy skin. Some people also have an allergy to wool.

Experts always recommend people with eczema wear cotton as much as possible because it allows the skin to breathe.

Bamboo and silk are other preferred choices.

Sweating, either from hot and sunny weather or exercise, can irritate eczema, researchers say.

Sweat is the bodys natural response to the body heating up. As it evaporates, it cools the surface of the skin.

However, the sodium (salt) in sweat can dehydrate the skin of people with eczema and sometimes make it sting.

This can make summer and exercising with the condition difficult, but there are a number of ways to prevent an outbreak.

Drink plenty of fluids, wipe sweat away, try and keep cool with a fan and moisturise before and after exercise.

Kids love swimming.

But the study found it not only makes eczema more bothersome and itchy, but worsens the symptoms to the point parents seek more treatment for their child.

Some children may react to the chemicals, such as chlorine, in the pool - called irritant contact dermatitis.

Meanwhile, dryness of the skin after swimming is likely to occur if the pH of the pool water is raised, the National Eczema Society warns.

Avoiding swimming when eczema is bad is the simple solution.

But even when the skin is in a good phase, keep habits such as applying emollient cream (which is thicker than a moisturiser) around half an hour before swimming to act as a barrier against the water.

Combination of factors

The research team said that a combination of any three factors was likely to exacerbate symptoms even more.

If you click on a link in this story we may earn affiliate revenue.

We pay for your stories!

Do you have a story for The Sun news desk?

Original post:
Shampoo in cold weather and 6 other causes of childhood eczema flares... - The Irish Sun

Tia Mowry is counting down to Thanksgiving, and she already knows exactly who shes thankful for. While chatting exclusively with BET.com, the mother-of-two revealed to us some of the yummy dishes she plans to whip up in the kitchen this year.

Every year, no matter what ends up on my Thanksgiving table, there's always collard greens and cornbread its the perfect combination, Mowry tells BET Lifestyle. Greens are a traditional family dish thats been around for generations. Whenever I cook collards, I think of my mom. I can never have greens without cornbread.

The 43-year-old actress and Aleevo skincare ambassador went on to reveal that her eczema diagnosis resulted in her overall choice to change her diet.

After being diagnosed with eczema, I saw an immunologist and allergist and I learned that food was an aspect that had been triggering my flare-ups, she explained before pointing out how much your diet can affect your overall health. Since my diagnosis, Ive changed my diet to focus more on whole foods. It's definitely made me aware of what I'm putting in my body and the recipes I decide to make.

Known for her creating delicious and creative recipes on her lifestyle YouTube series, Quick Fix, the busy mom also shared that whenever she's cooking for friends, she's conscious of cater to their personal diets. That's why I always like to give alternatives, she shares.

In September, Mowry recently released her new cookbook, The Quick Fix Kitchen, a book filled with easy recipes and time-saving tips for a healthier life.

In the spirit of thankfulness, we had to ask Mowry what is she most thankful for. She proudly responded, Im incredibly thankful for my two childrenCree and Cairo and my husband Cory.

There's nothing like family to make you count your blessings.

** Editors Note: This story/interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Follow this link:
EXCLUSIVE: Tia Mowry Reveals What's Always On Her Family's Thanksgiving Menu! - BET

If its never occurred to you to wonder, Huh, how often should I change my pillowcase?, we can't really blame you. Youd probably much rather associate your pillowcasesand pillows themselveswith comfort and sleep than with laundry. Unfortunately, if you dont swap out your pillowcases often enough, you might be unknowingly messing with your pillows potential to be a key part of your bedtime oasis. Below, we talked to experts to learn just how often you should wash your pillowcases (and the actual pillows themselves).

So what exactly is lurking on your pillowcase?

According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), we humans shed between 30,000 and 40,000 skin cells every day. When you spend at least seven hours (hopefully) sleeping, youre shedding many of those skin cells right onto your sheets and pillows. On top of that, sweat, oil from your skin (especially if you dont wash your face before bed), and good ol fashioned drool are all going to end up on your pillowcases as well. You might even end up with allergens (like pollen) in your bed via your hair, if youre not a nighttime showerer. And lets not forget the skin cells, sweat, oil, and drool of your partner and/or pet, if you share a bed with them.

All those cells and bodily fluids can cause microorganismslike bacteria and fungusto grow. This isnt likely to have a significant bearing on your health, but it can lead to skin irritation, breakouts, and possibly even infections. Thomas A. Russo, M.D., professor and chief of infectious disease at the University of Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, tells SELF that while fabrics like pillowcases and sheets can potentially be contaminated, they arent generally ideal places for most microorganisms to grow and propagate effectively.

Very contagious skin infections like staph or ringworm can theoretically transmit between two people via bed linens, Dr. Russo says. But its very difficult to know if something spread that way or was transmitted simply from skin-to-skin contact if two people are living together and intimately close.

Even though the risk of spreading infectious bugs via your sheets is slim, the microbes that regularly build up on your pillowcase can disrupt your skins delicate balance of microbes, called the microbiome, which can cause breakouts if you have acne-prone skin, SELF previously reported. If you have eczema, it can potentially lead to a flare.

Back to top.

Now, lets talk dust mites.

Dust mites, which are too small to see without a microscope, are teeny tiny creatures that live in household dust and feast on dead human skin cells. They thrive in warm, humid environments, and especially love living in beddingwhere they enjoy an endless supply of sloughed off skin cells. Yummy.

These critters are NBD if youre not allergic to them. If you are, they can be a huge deal. Dust mites are by far the most pervasive indoor allergen, board-certified allergist-immunologist Ryan Steele, D.O., assistant professor of clinical medicine at Yale School of Medicine and program director of the Yale Allergy & Immunology Contact Dermatitis Program, tells SELF. Dust mites are something we think of as affecting airways and causing nasal congestion and watery eyes, but they can also make your skin itchy and worsen eczema.

Theres not really any way to get rid of or prevent dust mites, Denisa E. Ferastraoaru, M.D., assistant professor of medicine in allergy and immunology and attending physician at Einstein/Montefiore and Jacobi Medical Centers, tells SELF. So allergists advise patients with dust mite allergies to get allergy covers for their pillows (and mattress and comforter). Covers basically keep dust mites inside the pillow/bed so that we cant breathe them in, Dr. Ferastraoaru says. If you can put a dust mite cover on any new pillows before using them for the first time, you can also keep dust mites out in the first place.

Back to top.

So, how often should you change your pillowcase?

The best and easiest way to prevent potential skin issues? Wash or change your pillowcases and allergy covers regularly. Dr. Steele suggests doing so once a week, and if washing, using the hottest setting you can to kill microbes and allergens. If youre a big-time drooler or make it a habit of going to bed with makeup on, you may want to wash or change your pillowcases more often.

On that note, washing your face every night and showering before bed (especially if you got super sweaty or have seasonal allergies) will help keep your pillowcases cleaner for longer.

Back to top.

What about the actual pillows?

The National Sleep Foundation recommends washing pillows (if you can) every six months with hot water and mild detergent. Thats right, many pillows can actually be washed! And it turns outyou should be doing that! Generally, down/feather pillows and down-alternative pillows can go in the washing machine on the gentle cycle; while most foam pillows shouldnt be machine washed. Some pillows may do best when dry cleaned. Make sure to read the manufacturers instructions for your specific pillow.

When it comes to replacing your pillows, the National Sleep Foundation suggests swapping out pillows with new ones that arent full of dust mites and sweat every one to two years.

Now, thats not a hard-and-fast rule, and if buying new pillows yearly sounds like a hefty expense, youre not wrong. By using allergy covers and washing your pillowcases, covers, and pillows as regularly as you can, youll keep them in good shape for longer and buy some time before their dustiness, mustiness, and/or lack of fluffiness get between you and a peaceful nights sleep. Because thats what its all about, after all.

Back to top.

Related:

Read more from the original source:
How Often Should You Change Your Pillowcase? Germ and Allergy Experts Weigh In. - SELF