Mite-proofing bedding

As noted in another thread, I learned recently that I have an allergy to mites that very probably is the cause of chronic nasal congestion that has made it difficult for me to use nasal pillows with my APAP machine.

I've bought a couple of new bed pillows to replace ones stuffed with down (trying out a shredded memory foam pillow with bamboo cover, and a second new pillow stuffed with buckwheat hulls), and put them both in mite-proof pillow cases. I also confirmed that our bedding is washed in very hot water.

The only issue now is that I use a fairly large (12" x 24" x 24") wedge pillow along with the smaller bed pillows (it helps with gastritis and tinnitus). Does anyone know if mite-proof covers are available that work with these? I don't see any specifically for wedge pillows. I figured I could adapt a mite-proof sheet, but I don't see these either online. The only thing I can find larger than a conventional pillow cover is a mite- or allergen-proof mattress cover, which is quite a bit more expensive than the pillow cases.

I know nothing about this product, but maybe something like this is what you're looking for.
http://www.amazon.com/Zippered-Pillow-R ... B00FVE61JY

Perfect, thanks!

My brother has this allergy. The best option (besides using pillows without foam/feathers) is to get a waterbed. All by itself, that eliminated most of my brother's issues. Some people found they were helped by memory foam mattress pads and others report no difference, but try a 3 inch memory foam if buying a new bed is out of range right now. He used pillows for years, simply throwing them into a hot dryer (not washing them) periodically. He has since moved to a memory foam pillow and that eliminates the issue. I live 1,000 miles away, so don't know all the details, but these were all recommendations from his allergist.

He also eliminated all carpeting in the home. He was able to stop asthma meds after that, at least in FL. He needs them again whenever he visits MN or WI.

Dyssomniac wrote: I have an allergy to mites that very probably is the cause of chronic nasal congestion

I would be surprised if dust mites in your bedding (http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-cond ... n-20028330) is the cause of your nasal congestion.

Some people have reported their dust mite allergy symptoms went away once they started using CPAP. It is assumed the exposure is greatly reduced by CPAP because the air you are breathing is coming from the area of your nightstand and is being filtered.

You might jump through some hoops and spend some good money to control mites in your bedding only to find out your congestion doesn't improve. It would be a good idea to first consider other sources of nasal congestion. Seasonal allergies is one possibility.

What is your humidifier setting?

ChicagoGranny wrote:

Dyssomniac wrote: I have an allergy to mites that very probably is the cause of chronic nasal congestion

I would be surprised if dust mites in your bedding (http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-cond ... n-20028330) is the cause of your nasal congestion.

Some people have reported their dust mite allergy symptoms went away once they started using CPAP. It is assumed the exposure is greatly reduced by CPAP because the air you are breathing is coming from the area of your nightstand and is being filtered.

You might jump through some hoops and spend some good money to control mites in your bedding only to find out your congestion doesn't improve. It would be a good idea to first consider other sources of nasal congestion. Seasonal allergies is one possibility.

What is your humidifier setting?

One way to test this is to get one of those inflatable beds - they don't cost much compared to mite proof bedding or a water bed. Make sure your pillow is clean and sealed and all your bedding is washed and sleep on the inflatable for a few nights.

I read this post yesterday and was going to link that amazon link posted already but had to run and didnt. Today I was at Bed Bath and Beyond, and saw a Wedge pillow cover while looking at bedding and remembered this post. It was $9.99 there.

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/p ... dge+pillow

But now looking at the description, it may not be a pillow/mattress protector, even though it was located in that section in the store.

Dyssomniac wrote:wedge pillow along with the smaller bed pillows (it helps with gastritis and ...)

Are you sure it is gastritis? Or could it be GERD?

kteague wrote:I know nothing about this product, but maybe something like this is what you're looking for.
http://www.amazon.com/Zippered-Pillow-R ... B00FVE61JY

Wow-thanks! These were exactly what I was looking for, as I use one of these wedges too! {hyperdrives back out of thread }

Sorry, I've been offline for a couple of weeks and missed the quotes since my last post on 5/13/15.

ChicagoGranny wrote: I would be surprised if dust mites in your bedding (http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-cond ... n-20028330) is the cause of your nasal congestion.

Some people have reported their dust mite allergy symptoms went away once they started using CPAP. It is assumed the exposure is greatly reduced by CPAP because the air you are breathing is coming from the area of your nightstand and is being filtered.

You might jump through some hoops and spend some good money to control mites in your bedding only to find out your congestion doesn't improve. It would be a good idea to first consider other sources of nasal congestion. Seasonal allergies is one possibility.

What is your humidifier setting?

I'm certainly open to all possibilities. As described in other of my posts, I've found that sinus and nasal issues of various types have increased since I started APAP in November 2014. For example I previously got a sinus infection about once every 6-7 years, and have now had 3 or so since starting on the machine therapy seven months ago.

I've tried humidifier settings all over the dial. Currently I've mostly had it at 4.

Mites became a focus after I had an allergy skin test last month. They tried several dozen allergens, including some number of seasonal ones. However, my allergic reaction is pretty consistent year-round and has no clear seasonality. The mite test was the only one with an identifiable reaction, quite clear and obvious. Also, a little research turned up the fact that my late mother also had a strong allergy to mites, which she addressed with environmental controls and allergy shots.

To complicate things, I had some oral surgery a couple of weeks ago, and it is currently too painful to wear a full-face mask at night. My breathing passages still aren't clear enough for nasal pads. Since I can get my AHI down to ~2 by being careful to sleep on my side without using the machine, I've been going that route for the time being until I can either get my jaw healed enough to resume with a full-face mask or my nasal passages clear enough for nasal pillows. Astelin antihistamine spray helped somewhat with the nasal congestion, but makes me very drowsy during the day, even at low dose. More recently my allergist suggested trying Atrovent spray, which hasn't helped and, if anything, has worsened symptoms (it's not clear to me why he prescribed it, as it is documented in trials not to help nasal congestion). So I'm certainly open to any other ideas as I continue to work through this.