Headache. Itchy eyes. Runny nose. You are sneezing, coughing, scratchy throat, perhaps even a low-grade fever. If you experience these symptoms, you're likely thinking they all point to one thing. You have a cold. 

Or do you?

The tricky thing about symptoms like these is that they can often be misleading, especially if you're not careful about tracking where and when they occur. You might have a cold, yes, but you also might be suffering from something environmental rather than viral. Unless you identify the proper source, you could spend more time suffering than you need to.

And nobody wants that.

If you find that your cold-and-flu-like symptoms happen most often around bedtime, throughout the night, or early in the morning, you might not be suffering from an allergy rather than a virus. 

In that case, you might not have a cold after all.

You might just be allergic to your bedroom.

3 Ways Your Bedroom Might Be Triggering Your Allergies

It's Full of Dust 

According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, dust collecting within the home can be the root cause of people's flu-like symptoms. You don't even have to be on the extreme end of not-doing-housework (say, perhaps, a hoarder) for this to affect you.

Dust mites are everywhere, and allergy sufferers react strongly, whereas other people might not.

People with dust mite allergies often suffer the most inside their homes or in other people's homes. Dust mites are tiny organisms that can barely be seen by the naked eye. They feed off house dust and the moisture in the air. They are one of the most common indoor allergens, and symptoms can be present year-round. In addition to allergic rhinitis, dust mite allergy can also trigger asthma and cause eczema to flare.

Allergy-like symptoms are one thing, but asthma? Eczema? These are severe conditions, and a once-a-week wipedown of the bedroom furniture isn't always enough to combat the problems that dust mites cause.

As we've pointed out in past posts on this blog, if you're going to stay on top of your bedroom's dust situation, be sure you're paying just as much attention to keeping your soft and cloth-based items as free of dust as you are your wood and metal ones. When it comes to dust, all your material items need some attention. Yes, by all means, dust your bookshelves, but also wash your curtains, scrub down your blinds, and don't forget about your carpets and ceiling fans.

Finally, consider areas that are often hidden away from human eyes. Areas that don't get a lot of sunlight are often places where dust mites accumulate. Remember to occasional move your large furniture items (such as bed frames) to clean under them. Routinely clear out your closets, dusting the shelves and floorboards that rarely see the light of day. 

Your sinuses will thank you!

It Might Have Mold

The problem of mold can be a particularly tricky one since mold is often in hidden-away spots. (Yes, spots. Pun intended.) Also, according to experts, the symptoms of a mold allergy can easily mimic the symptoms of other allergies. So some people feeling the effects of mold have no idea that's what's triggering their symptoms. 

Even worse, just like dust mite allergies, mold allergies can develop into more serious conditions if left untreated.

Mold spores get into your nose and cause hay fever symptoms. They also can reach the lungs and trigger asthma. A chemical released by allergy cells in the nose and or lungs causes the symptoms. Sometimes the reaction happens right away. Sometimes a mold allergy can cause delayed symptoms, leading to nasal congestion or worsening asthma over time. (AAFA)

It's the delayed symptoms that throw a wrench in the works. If the symptoms are delayed, people often attach the wrong causes, leading them to overlook the real root of their ill-health.

The thing is, the mold gets into homes in many sneaky ways. There are the attention-grabbing culprits, such as floods, hurricane damage, and leaky air-conditioning vents. Still, there are also quiet sources, such as undetected leaky roofs, high summer humidity, and condensation dripping off hidden pipes. 

When it comes to mold, you can't be too careful. Consider having your home checked by a professional.

You May Have a Mattresses Problem

Like everything, mattresses age. And yes, they can wear out.

They can also trigger allergies. 

Here's why. We lose up to 1.5 grams of skin a day, much of which feed dust mites that live in your mattress. If you don't regularly clean your mattress (and most people don't), then the skin cells and mites simply keep accumulating. 

There are other concerns other than skin cells and dust mites, of course. Mattresses absorb sweat and other body fluids, and people who stay up late drinking or snacking in bed will admit to the occasional spill. Over time, all these contaminates add up. 

How do you know if it's time to clean (or outright replace) your mattress?

First, as we mentioned in the opening of this post, if you find yourself suffering from allergy-like symptoms with times that coincide with your sleep schedule, your mattress might be suspect. Second, if your mattress is more than ten years old, it's outlived its shelf-life. 

The time has come to consider a change. Fortunately, you don't have to go it alone.

We Can Help

Here at Nest Bedding, we're in the business of helping you get the best night's sleep possible, every time. Our staff is friendly, knowledgable, and non-pushy. We'd love to talk to you about our premium products and help match you to the perfect one.

If you suspect that your mattress might be triggering your allergies, don't delay. Check out our specific mattresses and investigate which one might be right for you. If you have questions along the way, you can always contact us at any time. 

Better yet, stop by one of our showrooms. We'd love to meet you, hear more about your needs, and point you in the right direction.

See you soon!