Selecting bedding can be a tricky task for those with asthma and allergies. Many wonder if the luxurious duck-down duvets they love could be exacerbating their respiratory symptoms. Here’s what you need to know about the impact of down and feathers on asthma and allergies, plus tips for choosing bedding that makes breathing easy.
What Is Asthma and How Is It Triggered?
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the bronchial airways. During an asthma attack, the airways become swollen and filled with mucus, narrowing the pathways for air to flow properly to the lungs.
Common triggers leading to these bronchial obstructions include:
- Airborne irritants like smoke or pollution
- Allergens like pet dander, mold, or dust mites
- Respiratory infections
- Exercise
- Stress or emotions
- Cold air
- Certain medications
For those with allergic asthma, exposure to specific allergens is the primary trigger for asthma flares and attacks. Allergic reactions cause the body to release chemicals like histamine that inflame the airways.
The Link Between Asthma and Allergies
There is a significant overlap between asthma and allergy sufferers. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology estimates that 75-85% of asthmatics also have allergies.
This is because the same aspects of the immune system are responsible for both conditions:
- Exposure to an allergen
- An overreaction from immune cells
- Release of inflammatory chemicals like histamine
- Swelling and obstruction in the airways
As a result, monitoring exposure to allergens is an important aspect of asthma management.
How Might Bedding Impact Asthma and Allergies?
The bedroom environment plays a key role in either aggravating or easing asthmatic and allergic symptoms. That’s because we spend approximately a third of our lives sleeping and exposed to various allergens in bedding.
Sources of allergens and irritants related to bedding include:
- Dust mites – Microscopic mites feed on skin flakes and multiply rapidly in bedding. Their droppings are highly allergenic for many people.
- Mold or mildew – Can grow in bedding, releasing spores and mycotoxins that trigger allergies and asthma.
- Chemicals or irritants – Some bedding has traces of formaldehyde or other volatile organic compound finishes. Memory foam also emits gases.
- Pest particles – Insects, snails, and other small critters can leave droppings or shed shells/skins in unclean bedding. These can be respiratory irritants.
- Pet dander – Furry friends tend to spend time on beds, leaving behind allergenic proteins from their skin and saliva.
So choosing bedding wisely is key for managing asthma and allergic conditions. But are feather and down duvets inherently problematic for respiratory health?
Duck Down: Composition and Characteristics
Before examining the impact of duck down specifically, let’s review what exactly down and feather duvets are made of:
Goose or duck down refers to the fluffy, soft undercoat that sits closest to the bird’s skin underneath the outer feathers. This down filling provides lightweight warmth and comfort in duvets and pillows.
True downfill power ranges from about 600-900. The higher the fill power, the better quality and more insulation per ounce. Hungarian white goose down around 800 fill power offers exceptional warmth for its weight.
Down on its own lacks structure, so it is combined with some feathers and clustered together in small compartments throughout duvets and comforters to maintain an even distribution. This keeps the filling from shifting and creating cold spots.
Feather and down bedding may also go through cleaning and sanitization processes to eliminate dust, dirt and debris that could aggravate allergies.
Now let’s compare the pros and cons of down to other common bedding fills.
Alternatives to down include:
- Synthetic options like polyester – Less expensive but retain more heat. Not as breathable.
- Cotton – Natural but requires heavier weight to provide warmth. Traps moisture.
- Wool – Insulating, moisture-wicking, and natural odor-resistant. But costs more and feels heavier.
- Silk – Extremely luxurious, lightweight, breathable and temperature-regulating. Very expensive.
- Memory foam or microfiber – Synthetic options popular for hypoallergenic needs but can feel overly warm for some sleepers.
What Do Medical Studies Say About Down Bedding and Asthma?
So back to the key question: do duck-down duvets negatively impact asthma symptoms?
The research remains somewhat mixed and incomplete. However, several recent studies provide some guidance:
Medical Findings:
- One 2016 study found asthmatic adults had more lung inflammation after sleeping in feather pillows and duvets vs polyester bedding. However, lung function didn’t change.
- A 2010 study exposed mice with allergic asthma to down bedding. Their airway inflammation worsened compared to memory foam or synthetic pillows.
- However, a 1999 study saw no adverse asthma impacts from feather bedding except among those sensitized to bird allergens. Most participants slept fine on feather pillows.
- Research also shows down itself does not directly cause allergic issues or asthma. But it can harbor dust mites and organic antigens that provoke reactions in sensitized persons.
So while more research is still needed, down bedding does appear more likely to aggravate existing respiratory allergies because it traps allergens easily. Those with asthma seem most affected if they have a pre-existing sensitivity to bird proteins found in feathers or down.
“Existing evidence suggests individuals with asthma, especially bird-dust mite sensitivity, should practice caution with feather bedding,” advises Dr. Melanie Carver, AAAAI member and volunteer medical advisor.
Tips to Minimize Allergens in Bedrooms
Since bedding can harbor dust and other asthma triggers, it’s smart to minimize exposures through these methods:
- Wash bedding frequently in hot, soapy water to remove allergens – weekly is ideal
- Use mattress and pillow protectors to create a barrier to allergens
- Vacuum carpets and upholstery regularly using a HEPA filter
- Consider a dehumidifier to keep bedroom humidity under 50%
- Choose bedding made of tightly woven materials that resist collecting allergens
- Sun-dry pillows and comforters to reduce dust mite populations which thrive in moisture
- Keep pets off beds to avoid transfer of dander and proteins
- Shower at night to remove pollen, chemicals or other allergens from skin and hair before bed
Best Bedding Options for Asthma and Allergies
Given these allergen avoidance tips and downsides of feathers for some asthma sufferers, below are top bedding recommendations:
1. Synthetic Duvets and Comforters
Synthetic filled duvets offer decent warmth for the cost while resisting allergens, moisture and pests. Materials like polyester, microfiber or primaloft maintain comfortable sleep temperatures. Choose high thread counts over 300.
- Pros: hypoallergenic, affordable, easy to wash
- Cons: not as breathable, natural or luxurious feeling as down
The leading synthetic duvet comes from Utopia Bedding which gets rave reviews for comfort, quality and value. Their box-stitched polyester comforter provides great warmth without weight. Priced around $30-60 for all sizes.
2. Cotton Duvets and Comforters
Pima, Egyptian or long-staple cotton makes durable, breathable bedding. The natural material feels ultra-soft while maintaining a cooler sleeping surface than synthetic options. Look for a thread count over 400 and certified organic materials for purity.
- Pros: breathable, moisture-wicking, renewable material
- Cons: prone to wrinkling, needs more weight to keep warm, expensive
Coyuchi offers beautiful artisan-crafted organic cotton duvets and bedding starting around $200-350 per piece. The clean geometrics and charming stripe patterns provide a welcome visual warmth as well.
3. Wool Duvets and Comforters
For a natural material that effectively resists allergens, wool bedding makes an excellent choice. Wool naturally repels and traps fewer dust mites. It also helps balance sleep temperature and wick away moisture.
Select fine merino wool with a thread count over 400 for optimal softness and breathability. Prices range widely but expect to invest $200-600 for a quality wool duvet or comforter.
- Pros: resistant to allergens and odor, moisture-wicking, breathable
- Cons: expensive, prone to shedding fibers initially
This wool duvet from The Wool Room earns excellent reviews for transforming sleep comfort across seasons while avoiding allergies.
Caring for Down Bedding with Asthma
For those who still prefer the unmatched coziness of down, with proper care and cleaning, most people with asthma can continue enjoying feather bedding without issues.
These maintenance tips help minimize allergens:
- Dry clean duck down duvets every year before winter using a reputable service
- Store cleaned down in vacuum storage bags until use to prevent dust buildup
- Cover duvets in lightweight, breathable protectors for an added allergen barrier
- Wash duvet covers at least every 2 weeks in hot water with non-allergenic detergent
- Avoid beating or shaking out down bedding which stirs up particles
- Air out down comforters outside 2-3 times per year if possible
With diligent maintenance like this, most find down still usable without aggravating allergies too severely. Though take care if you have bird or down-specific asthma triggers.
Choosing the Best Bedding for You
Ultimately the decision between down vs synthetic or alternate bedding depends on your specific sensitivities, sleep preferences and budget.
Focus on creating a clean, allergy-unfriendly sleep space supplemented with air purifiers, dehumidifiers and other asthma-supportive changes.
Then select the most natural, breathable comforter material you can afford and properly care for – be it responsibly sourced down and feathers, soft organic cotton or cozy wool. Any can suffice with good maintenance.
As always, consult your allergist or health provider if very sensitive to feathers, down, dust mites or other common asthma triggers. They can best advise on suitable bedding choices for your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it OK to use a down duvet if you have asthma?
For most people with asthma, using responsibly sourced down bedding combined with proper allergen control measures poses minimal issues. Take care if you have bird protein sensitivities. Consult an allergist about suitable bedding choices given your symptom triggers.
What is the best filling for a duvet if you have asthma?
The best duvet fills for those with asthma include synthetics like microfiber or primaloft, natural breathable fibers like organic cotton or merino wool, or properly cleaned hypoallergenic down. Focus more on investing in mattress/pillow protectors and washing bedding routinely.
Can dust mites live in down duvets?
Yes, dust mites can inhabit natural bedding fills like down since they feed on dead skin cells regularly shed in bed. Washing duvets every 3-6 months in hot water above 130°F helps kill them. Drying thoroughly in the sun also reduces mites in down bedding.
Do down alternative duvets help with asthma?
Down alternative duvets filled with microfiber, primaloft or TENCEL Lyocell fiber can benefit asthma since these synthetics resist absorbing moisture, allergens and dust mites. Make sure to choose high-quality materials avoiding cheap polyester fill which isn’t as breathable.
How often should you replace bedding if you have asthma?
Ideally, asthmatics should replace pillows every 1-2 years and duvets/comforters every 3-5 years. Even with regular washing, allergens build up over years of use. Investing in new asthma-friendly bedding ensures unwanted particles don’t accumulate.
