wdk's Profile

Hi H,
You are 1000% correct that down comforters(and featherbeds and down pillows and down coats) are absolute MAGNETS for dustmites! I found this out the hard way after continually getting sick with sinus infections for over a year. I finally visited an allergy doctor who tested me for numerous things and of course dust mites were at the top of the list. After quizzing me about my living environment, he told me I was literally sleeping with "the enemy" (dustmites). Since I was having so many sinus infections I was also using a humidifier next to my bed, which the doctor said was also creating an environment that dustmites love (high humidity). Along with the humidifier, he told me to throw out all the down stuff and my carpeting. I also had to make sure I wash all my bedding and blankets at least once a week in VERY HOT water. If you have allergies, Dacron pillows work well along with Vellux blankets, which can take getting laundered that frequently in hot water. There are also allergen sprays and powders that you can use on your bedding and furniture which will also help to kill the dustmites. By the way, EVERY single apartment and house has dustmites in it. It has very little to do with how clean you are. The problem comes in when you are highly allergic to dustmites such as I am, then you have to do your best to "allergy proof" your house. Hope this helps someone out there. I miss my down comforter and featherbed, but I don't miss getting sick all the time... Sleep well and stay healthy! -WDK