Colds are extremely common during the winter months, but not all cold-like symptoms troubling Britons might not be due to the viral illness, according to an expert.
Many problems you put down to a pesky cold may actually be a sign of small critters residing in your bed.
Rebecca Swain of Winstons Beds has revealed the most common warning signs of dust mites that you’re probably ignoring.
In case you aren’t aware, dust mites are minuscule pests attracted to dead skin cells in the bedding and are likely to appear in bedrooms with high humidity levels.
The mattress expert warned that those waking up with a dry cough could be sleeping in a bed “infested with dust mites”.
Sneezing and runny noses are other warning signs to look out for, as the tiny pests can trigger allergies.
Swain said: “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.”
Apart from cold-like symptoms, other signs of dust mites include “uncontrollable itching”, difficulty breathing, red and itchy eyes and disrupted sleep.
Dust mites are so tiny they can’t be seen with the naked eye. While they are harmless to most people, they can trigger allergic reactions such as asthma, eczema and rhinitis, so it’s important to keep your home clean.
Swain recommended putting all the bedding on a hot wash (60C) and dusting the entire bedroom thoroughly if you think you’re dealing with dust mites. Fortunately, this will reduce the chances of them being able to spawn.
Worryingly, a 2020 poll revealed that Britons aren’t washing their sheets frequently enough.
OTTY recommends cleaning your covers and bottom sheets 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. However, those surveyed admitted they waited, on average, about 12 days to strip their sheets and throw them in the wash.
Your pyjamas and pillowcases should also be washed once a week, with the latter needing to be done more often if you sleep on your stomach.
