This post is sponsored by AllerEase

Did you know the average bed contains 100,000 to 10 million dust mites, which can significantly impact your health and sleep comfort?

If you are an environmental or season allergy sufferer, you’d hope to find relief at home—especially in your bedroom. However, studies show that more than half of U.S adults (57%) say they suffer from seasonal and environmental allergies, yet only 7 percent use allergen barrier bedding which can help improve sleep.

I was recently invited to join a call with pediatric, board-certified allergist and asthma specialist Dr. Neeta Odgen on behalf of AllerEase to learn how you (at home) can reduce symptoms for allergy suffers . She shared that many parents, like myself, are interested in medicine-free ways to help their children with asthma and allergies to sleep better. Her advice included using barrier products from AllerEase. 

This call couldn’t have come at a better time…

One in three Americans take no action when allergy symptom strike because “it’s just allergies.” I’m completely guilty of being dismissive of my own seasonal allergies, but when it comes to my children I’m always a LOT more attentive and proactive. My three oldest had become more sneezy and their “horn blowing” was now a morning ritual. After this call, I needed to do something.

Conveniently, AllerEase offered to send me my choice of products from their line.

Here’s what I ordered:

• Allerease Bed Bug & Waterproof Allergy Protection Zippered Mattress Protector – The waterproof benefit is certainly a plus with young children!
• Allerease Hot Water Washable Allergy Protection Mattress Pad – This mattress pad can withstand hot water temperatures above 120 degrees!
• Allerease Decorative Allergy Pillow Sham (2-Pack) – The shams are offered in three colors—ivory, black, and blue.
• Allerease Decorative Allergy Comforter  – The shams are offered in three colors—ivory, black, and blue.
• Allerease Hot Water Washable Allergy Protection Pillow – After being washed, the pillow refluffs to its original shape!
• Allerease Hot Water Washable Allergy Protection Zippered Pillow Protectors – Allergen barrier fabric prevents the collection of dust mites, pet dander, pollen and other household allergens from settling in your pillow 

We’ve all heard the rumor that a mattress can double in weight over time because of bed bugs.

Ewww, the very thought makes me cringe.

However, it is true that one of the best ways to keep bed bugs off your pillows and sheets is to have a zippered-mattress protector like this one. I would consider this to be the first line of defense. Even better than vacuuming alone.

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The bottom line

It’s only been a few days and I think I’ve seen a difference with the morning sneezes, but it’s still too soon to tell. I do see several other ways to reduce allergens in Ava’s room. Can you guess what they are? The answers are below. If necessary, I will implement those additional steps.

• Because allergies cling to clothes and hair, allergies suffers can minimize exposure by showering at night.
• Wash bedding in hot water at least once per week to prevent the buildup of dust mites and household allergens.
• Allergy sufferer or not, use allergen barrier products like mattress and pillow protectors to prevent allergen and dust build up. Hypoallergenic fabrics are not dust repellants.
• Allergens and dust mites love rugs, fabric lamp shades, books and throw pillows (say it ain’t so!!!!) AllerEase advises that you minimize these to promote better sleep and reduce morning sniffles.