A good pillow is essential for a restful night’s sleep. Without a pillow, the neck and head are unsupported which can lead to both short and long-term muscle strain. A pillow that’s overly soft may provide insufficient support, whereas one that is too hard will be uncomfortable.
Finally, even if the pillow is quite comfortable, the kind of fill can become a repository for allergy-inducing irritants. These irritants lead to red, itchy eyes and congested passageways that take away from our sleep.
The reason down fill can cause allergies is partly due to dust mites, a microscopic household creature not even visible to the naked eye. Dust mites take up residence in the natural clusters of down fiber. The dust mites produce an allergen which is incorrectly recognized by the immune system of some people as an infectious invader. The body starts off an immune response which leads to allergy attacks.
Many people suffering from down allergies will turn toward down alternatives for their pillows. Such pillows may be effective at reducing allergies depending on the exact kinds of sensitivities. There are three major kinds of down alternatives. The first type is constructed of natural material, in most cases silk. The second type is polyester-derived fibers that mimic down. The third is high tech foam which contours to the body but retains its original shape.
The down alternatives that come from natural sources such as silk are prized by many people. Silk especially is a very light but heat-preserving material that is widely used and sought after in Japan and China. The only problem for consumers here in the U.S. is that silk can be somewhat expensive.
Gel fiber synthetic pillows are likely to be the second most used fill after down. Recent improvements in the technology of polyester fibers means that they can be made almost like down, i.e. very warm but also very light and fluffy. In fact, ski clothes and sleeping bags are often stuffed with gel fiber synthetics. The consumer should be aware that the polyester fills which are best are also the most expensive. The most expensive being usually manufactured by a specialist company and licensed to various secondary industries.
Pillows are generally two component objects made of fabric and fill. A modern type of pillow is a single component object shaped from a single piece of dense memory foam. Memory foam was invented by NASA Ames for seating material in flight craft. In recent years, it has become cheap enough to incorporate into household bedding. Its comfort lies in its property of conforming to the curves of your head and neck. However, pillows made from memory foam have been reported to emit a unsettling chemical odor.
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