Allergies? It Just Might Be Your Feather Pillow

Filed Under: Home Health

Whether or not we want to admit it, most of us have allergies. The coughing, the sneezing, the achy head and all the other symptoms that sound like a Nyquil commercial, allergies can make us feel run down and generally under the weather. Luckily, for those of us who know what allergen triggers our episodes, avoidance can be enacted. For those who have feather allergies, this is particularly true.

Now, some people may wonder if sick parakeets, sneezing and coughing, go to the vet only to be told they are unfortunately allergic to feathers. It seems like something random to have, a feather allergy It seems very much like an ailment that may be for the birds. But, feather allergies are not uncommon in humans. Many people have them.

For people who don't have birds, or don't have a white feather stalking them like something out of Forrest Gump, these allergies are no big deal. But, because pillows are often made of feathers, and because a good night's sleep is often made of pillows, for those with a feather allergy, pillows can be tricky. Having a feather pillow and a feather allergy often results in less nights spent sleeping and more nights spent blowing your nose and clearing your throat.

Like many allergies, common symptoms of feather allergies include a runny nose, sneezing, congested sinuses, sore throat, and itchy, watery eyes. With feather allergies, the symptoms will most likely be most obvious during times of sleep and rest. Though many feather pillows are not designed to be allergy stimulants - encased in cloth and cases meant to keep feathers from popping out - the occasional feather does escape, poking through the pillow case and making its way into the breathing room of the allergy sufferer.

Many allergies - such as an allergy to pollen or grass - are seasonal, worse in the summer or in the spring. But, feather allergies aren't. They are a year round nuisance This makes them even more inconvenient for the person who suffers from them. Fall and winter brings no reprieve.

However, being allergic to feathers is more favorable than being allergic to something that isn’t as easy to avoid, such as dust. Those who are allergic to feathers simply need to keep feathers out of their lives, severe all ties with them without so much as a promise to write. The easiest ways to do this is to not keep birds as pets and not use feather comforters or feather pillows.

While feather comforters are generally easy to avoid - most comforters are not made of pillows - feather pillows are more prevalent. Still, not ever pillow is made of feathers.

Instead of feather pillows, try pillows made of cotton or Latex. Latex pillows, in addition to being hypoallergenic, are resistant to mold and dust mites, things you may also have an allergy to. They also offer more neck and back support than the standard pillow.

A pillow, a bed, and a life not made of feathers will allow the allergy sufferer to sleep soundly, and leave tossing and turning for the birds.