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Your mom probably likes it when you make your bed. Know who else likes a made bed? Dust mites. Gross! Dust mites are tiny (less than a millimeter in length) and found in pretty much every household, feeding on dust (dead skin cells). They’re not all that great for your health, since they can trigger asthma and allergies by producing allergens which are then inhaled. BBC News reports that the average bed can have up to 1.5 million tiny dust mite. That’s an unsettling number, but at least we can’t tell they’re there. The good news? An unmade bed might just be able to keep your bed’s dust mite numbers down. But how?
Ideal Conditions for Mites
Mites love moisture, and you might be surprised to learn that there’s a lot more moisture in a made bed than when you just roll out in the morning. Research has shown that mites can’t live in dry and warm conditions—which are often environments of an unmade bed. Mites must take in moisture, or they will become dehydrated and eventually die.
The Unmade Bed: Better for Your Health
If you’re too busy catching a few extra winks, or just don’t like making your bed in the morning, don’t worry! You may actually be doing your health a favor. And if your mom nags you? Just let her know that an unmade bed could actually be helping prevent allergies and breathing problems. Lower dust mite counts are always a good thing—so don’t let anyone talk you into changing your normal habit of leaving the bed in disarray. You won’t be able to eliminate mites entirely by leaving your bed unmade, but it definitely doesn’t hurt.
Your Linens
Keeping your linens clean and dry will help with dust mite problems, and also be gentler on your skin. You may want to consider silk or satin pillowcases to help keep your skin and hair smooth and beautiful.
Sleep Tips for Your Skin
Sleep is essential to your health and wellness, so make sure you’re getting enough hours each night. Your skin repairs and renews itself overnight, and getting enough sleep can help prevent a whole host of skin and health problems. Here are some tips for making your sleep count:
- Establish a nighttime skincare routine, possibly with a repairing night cream
- Remove all makeup before going to bed
- Set a bedtime and wakeup time to get more consistent sleep
- Exercise regularly to help regulate your sleep
Need More Help? Give Dr. Walder a Call!
Have questions about your skin? Want to explore effective skin treatment options? It may be time to speak with a skilled and experienced, board certified cosmetic dermatologist like Dr. Diane Walder. Dr. Walder is an expert in helping patients achieve beautiful, healthy skin, and has been a consultant for many popular national magazines.
If you would like to discuss your skincare needs and goals for your skin, call (305-866-2177) today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Walder and her talented colleagues in Miami.
