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Home , BEd, Bedding, Duvet, Duvet cover, Linens, Mattress protector

London marathon 2017 Such as are made on: If you’re inspired to take part in eczema-friendly next year’s Marathon, we still have 5 bond places available Poor patterns are all too common in eczema and to runners who are prepared to raise the night-time itch can be a torment. For this edition, we £1,500 or more, to support our work in asked supporters on our Facebook page to share their return for a guaranteed spot on the start top tips for eczema-friendly bedding. Alice Lambert, line. To register your interest, phone our Director of Services, reports on their suggestions. Christina on 07724 655070 or email [email protected] for further details. Pete Given the amount of time we spend in A lower tog rating (e.g. 1.5–4.5) indicates that Spencer throughout our lifetimes – the average Briton it’s light weight. In the colder months, you spends 17 years and 41 days asleep – it makes might prefer to use two low-tog and sense to think carefully about our bedding remove one if you become too hot. For most choices. That said, faced with the dizzying people with eczema, ‘My finish time was as I had anticipated buzz and a much-needed lift. I made a point of array of products available, it can be difficult are probably best avoided as they are designed – 4 hours 30 minutes. Not close enough to my hugging or high fiving all I saw! to know which to choose – especially when to react to the heat of your body and mould to personal best (4 hours 6 minutes) but okay ‘The atmosphere was overwhelming over the you have to take eczema into account. Natural your shape, thereby reducing the circulation of considering my training didn’t go entirely whole course, but especially towards the end, so or synthetic materials, duvets or , air and making you feel warm. according to plan. It was surprisingly hot too much so that the last 2½ miles were amongst high tog or low tog, spring or no-spring Some people’s eczema is triggered by house- mattresses…. – not what was forecast! – and that makes a the quickest I ran the whole race. dust-mite droppings. If you are sensitive to big difference. ‘I’d seen the finish line on the TV so many times People with eczema are prone to experiencing these droppings, cutting down on dust in the ‘I would advise anyone with the chance to run that I knew the last 200m off by heart. My heart sleep problems due to the dreaded home can help as droppings are contained the London Marathon to do it. It’s an experience started beating louder, there were tears in my itch–scratch cycle, which can keep them within dust. House-dust mites thrive in humid you will never forget. It’s hard and requires eyes and I was wearing the biggest smile I’ve awake and affect partners’ sleep too. It’s conditions and, unsurprisingly, they are found huge commitment – not just from you, but your ever had on my face when I’ve been running. worth considering whether your bedding in the largest numbers in mattresses and other family too while you put in the hours of training is inadvertently making you itchier and bedding, which contain a good supply of their ‘In the end, my time was 4 hours 51minutes, – but you won’t regret it. My wife and brother contributing to poor sleep. It’s also important main food source: flakes of . In order to which was an hour quicker than my first have both put in for 2018 so I have inspired to bear in mind that, unfortunately, there is cut down on house-dust-mite droppings, wash marathon in Paris and 9 minutes quicker than others!’ no ‘magic bullet’ for eczema. What works for bed regularly – if possible, at least twice I was aiming for – so I was over the moon.’ one person won’t necessarily work for another. a week – and and duvets every 4–6 In contrast, Spencer was running his first- However, there are actions you can take On behalf of all this year’s NES runners, weeks at 60°C. Tumble drying on a hot setting ever London Marathon. and products you can use to maximise your will also help to destroy house-dust mites. thank you to everyone who has not only ‘Leading up to the day I was nervous, even chances of an itch-free night. Washing bedding regularly is important for though I had run the Paris Marathon the sponsored each of their 26 miles on the Triggers to be aware of getting rid of treatment residue, too. Give the previous year, but this was London. day but also supported them during the The body’s temperature control mechanism a thorough vacuuming whenever you training process. ‘Joining the start line was great. Everyone talks is often flawed in eczematous skin, and change the bedding. to each other like you are old friends. My heart And for anyone considering taking part overheating is common. For many people, Whatever type of mattress you choose, they was racing with both nerves and excitement. next year, Spencer has these final words. sweat is also a trigger. Bedding that leads aren’t designed to last for ever and house- ‘I saw my wife Anita and my son Joshua in to overheating will encourage itchiness and dust-mite droppings will inevitably build up. the crowd at miles 13 and 22, along with my ‘Trust me, the feeling is like no other you many of us scratch most during the night. Manufacturers recommend that we change sister-in-law Helen and niece Gabriella. Along will ever experience. It’s so special and It’s advisable to use thin blankets or a our mattresses every 8–10 years. While they the route I met so many friends of the family you become part of history forever. lighter , so the number of ‘togs’ obviously have an interest in our doing so, and others from my gym, and that gives you a Plus – that medal is AWESOME.’ – the units of thermal resistance in . if you or your child has eczema, buying a

28 | exchange exchange | 29 Such stuff as dreams are made on: eczema-friendly bedding new mattress can be a good investment. and duvet protectors go over the pillow/ bamboo, is excellent at temperature regulation. effective against – house-dust mites, cat In particular, new babies (with or without duvet and under the pillowcase/, It also provides an inhospitable environment allergens, moulds, etc. Do not buy something eczema) should always have a new cot providing an extra layer of cotton protection. for house-dust mites, which bodes well for that is vaguely labelled ‘anti-allergy’. mattress and, if possible, buy a new mattress Cotton comes in a variety of weaves. Be aware eczema sufferers. The following products are There are three main types of mattress: when your child graduates to a bed. that a cheap cotton may lead to bobbles in the available in : duvets (including silk-filled, innerspring, foam and bladder (air and silk-covered duvets), silk-filled pillows, duvet ‘His dark materials’ bedding, which could irritate eczema. ). The inner cavity of innerspring covers, pillowcases and sheets. A disadvantage mattresses creates an incubator for house- Bedding made from many different kinds of (a fabric made from woven cotton, which has a of silk is that sheets and covers can only be dust mites where their droppings and our materials is on offer nowadays – varieties of soft, silk-like feel to it) and (a close- washed at low temperatures (30°C), and silk-filled dead skin cells accumulate. These mattresses cotton, silk, bamboo, microfibre, – and, that comes in either 100% cotton duvets and pillows can only be spot cleaned and should be avoided where possible. As where duvets and pillows are concerned, there or a blend of fabrics) are suitable for eczema professionally laundered. mentioned above, memory foam mattresses is both the covering material and filling to sufferers. Grown in the fertile Nile Valley, are also not ideal as they can lead to think about. First, it’s important to be aware Egyptian cotton has an extra-long fibre that • Wool yields a strong, highly absorbent material. overheating. of thread counts. A thread count relates to the Surprisingly, perhaps, wool should be considered number of threads (width and length) that • Bamboo an option for people with eczema because of An alternative type of foam mattress is latex. Natural latex is resilient and resistant make up an inch of woven fabric, and tells With a texture similar to silk, bamboo bedding its temperature-regulating properties and dry, to house-dust mites, mould and mildew. us how closely woven the fabric is. A typical, is more absorbent than cotton, soft and highly house-dust-mite-resistant environment. Wool- Latex mattresses tend to be more expensive inexpensive sheet might have a count of 150, effective at regulating temperature, keeping filled duvets and pillows, and wool beds and than other mattresses, but also last longer. whereas more expensive bedding might have the user cool in summer and warm in winter. mattresses are all available. A disadvantage of a 500-count. Generally, the higher the thread Bamboo can be confusing – it appears in wool, as with some of the other materials, is that Because of the processes they undergo count, the softer and cooler the sheet, and the different guises in product information: 100% some products are only machine washable at during their production, latex mattresses are more likely it will wear well over time. bamboo viscose/, 100% bamboo lyocell, 30°C on a delicate or wool cycle with special wool usually safe for people with latex allergies, especially those who suffer from localised • Cotton bamboo blend with cotton and bamboo linen. detergent, and some can be dry cleaned only. It’s advisable for parents to check that babies aren’t skin reactions or minor respiratory problems Many of our Facebook users strongly Most bamboo bedding is the viscose variety. While the processing of bamboo viscose is allergic to lanolin before trying wool bedding. when exposed to medical-grade latex. But if recommend using bedding made from 100% you have a known latex allergy or sensitivity, cotton, which is soft, cool, absorbs sweat and chemical-intensive, this material contains the Taking the stress out of mattresses aforementioned properties that make bamboo check with your doctor to discuss risk factors allows the skin to ‘breathe’. Duvet covers, Mattresses are a big investment, so it’s worth attractive to people with eczema. In terms of before sleeping on a latex mattress. pillowcases and sheets are all available in trying out potential candidates in the shops first. environmental friendliness, bamboo linen and Buying new bedding can be daunting, and 100% cotton. It is even possible to buy duvets If your current mattress is in good condition but lyocell are the better choices. The following you may need to experiment with different of different togs that have a 100% cotton you are worried it’s exacerbating your eczema, products are available in bamboo fabric: materials before finding one that suits you. covering and are filled with 100% cotton try using a in 100% cotton, duvets (including bamboo-filled, bamboo- It’s possible that minor adjustments to your material. These are likely to be safe and bamboo or silk over the mattress, underneath a covered duvets), duvet covers, pillowcases bedding arrangements (e.g. introducing beneficial for people with eczema, but have the sheet made from one of those materials, and see and sheets, plus duvet, pillow and mattress protectors/encasements, carrying out downside of not being as easy to wash and dry if that makes a difference. Be aware that some protectors. A disadvantage of bamboo is that more regular washes of bedding at hot as duvets filled with synthetic material. ‘mattress protectors’ do not completely encase it doesn’t tolerate high temperature washing temperatures), could make a positive Duvets filled with synthetic material (e.g. the mattress; these are usually called ‘mattress too well – users are recommended to wash difference, so it’s worth trying these before microfibre) can be washed at higher toppers’. It’s best to use one that does. If you are bamboo bedding at temperatures of up to undertaking a wholesale change of all temperatures than cotton-filled duvets, and looking for protection from house-dust mites, 40°C, which is insufficient to kill house-dust bedding products. It’s also important to keep dry more easily. For the best of both worlds, though, you need to find mattress and pillow mites or remove emollient residue effectively. up with your regular skin-care routine while try synthetic-filled duvets and pillows covered protectors that stop the mites in their tracks. It’s trialling new products. Please let us know if with a 100% cotton covering, combined with • Silk vital that the covers encase the mattress or pillow, there are any products or materials that have 100% cotton pillowcases and duvet covers. For Silk is a traditionally luxurious and glamorous but they won’t be 100% cotton and could well be worked particularly well for you. those who aren’t keen on duvets, 100% cotton material, but does it help with eczema? Silk tightly woven synthetic material such as . cellular blankets provide an alternative option. is a natural product, is ‘breathable’ and, like They should be labelled to specify what they are Good luck, and sweet dreams! >

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Produuseful cwebsits tes Please note that – where multiple websites are listed below – not every website contains every product listed above it. Also, look carefully at the information about a product’s material. Unless a We are material is explicitly stated to be 100% cotton (for example), then it’s not. 100% cotton bedding – John Lewis family blankets, duvets, duvet https://www.johnlewis. Mum of three, Katie Fiszman, Living with covers, pillowcases and com/search?Ntt=silk%20 shares her experience of sheets, plus duvet, pillow duvet&Nty=1 family life with eczema. and mattress protectors: Pure Living Allergy Best Buys www.purelivingcollection. https://www.allergybestbuys. com/mulberry-silk-duvet.html co.uk/products/cellular- When I was little I used to spend Poor diet: I remember as a child eating a hours awake in the middle of the lot of frozen ready meals – freshly cooked Allersafe Wool bedding – wool- night trying to soothe myself. The meals were something of a rarity in our https://www.allersafe.co.uk/ filled duvets, pillows, itch was so overpowering that I would often house – as well as crisps and chocolate, cottonfresh/b31 mattress protectors, take a hairbrush to my skin and brush it until it and not keeping hydrated enough. I have Greenfibres mattresses and beds was raw and bleeding. I rarely talk about such since become more attuned to what https://www.greenfibres.com/ memories because I’m ashamed of them, but my body craves in terms of nutrition – The Wool Company product/279/.htm the truth is that I used to open the to allow plenty of vegetables (raw and cooked), The Fine Cotton Company https://www. John Lewis www.thefinecottoncompany. some light into the room so I could watch the fish, grains and fruit. I don’t completely thewoolcompany.co.uk/ https://www.johnlewis.com/ com/luxury-bed-linen/ flakes of skin fall from my arms onto the deep rule out less healthy food, but I do try to home-garden/bedding/ bed--and-duvet-covers- luxury-bedding.html red , while pretending they were tiny make sure that 90% of what I eat has real c60000246?rdr=1 collections Wool Room snowflakes.S ometimes I would lift my arms nutritional value. above my head while I scratched letting the Lancashire textiles www.thewoolroom.com/ Bath-time routine: as a child I would Bamboo viscose bedding ‘snowflakes’ fall onto my face and eyelashes. https://www.lancashiretextiles. bedding/, www.thewoolroom. wash my hair and body while sitting in – duvets, duvet covers, co.uk/products/lt-cottduv- com/wool-beds-mattresses/ It’s fair to say that, as a child, I was well and the soapy water, exposure to which I now pillowcases and sheets, lancashire-textiles-natural-100- truly trapped in the addictive itch–scratch cycle. realise was disastrous for my eczema. pure-cotton-filling-and-cover-1- plus duvet, pillow and Latex pillows and mattress protectors: As a parent of children with eczema, and The result of all of the above was constant tog-summer-weig.html mattresses after decades of learning to manage my own Between the Sheets itching, painful wounds on my arms and legs M&S https://www. Greenfibres condition, I can now look back on my childhood and, of course, the feeling of shame associated www.marksandspencer. betweenthesheets.co.uk/ https://www.greenfibres.com/ and recognise some of the triggers that – at the with the whole situation. I vividly remember com/s/home-and-/ product-category/uk/ product/332/standard.htm time – went unidentified, including: when I was 12 years old a relative confronting bed-linen me about some laundry of mine, which was bamboo-bed-sheets/ Lack of sleep: sleep helps the body to John Lewis stained with blood, that she had seen in the Pure Living Collection heal and to this day I notice how much https://www.johnlewis. basket. Even now it makes me feel extremely www.purelivingcollection. Silk bedding – duvets, more prone I am to a flare-up when com/cotton-duvet.html pillows, duvet covers, com/search/dunlopillo/_/N- sad to think of it. 1z13z7z?Ntt=latex I have not been getting enough. As a The Duvet Store pillowcases and sheets parent this can be hard, especially when Over the years I became used to the ebb https://www.theduvetstore. Gingerlily Latexsense your children are very young, but I always and flow of eczema.T hat is the nature of co.uk/index.php/Luxury- https://www.gingerlily.co.uk/ https://www.latexsense. try to ensure that my children get the the condition though – forever lying in wait, Sheets-Duvet-Covers-Pillow- silk-bed-linen, http://www. co.uk/latex-sense/latex- amount of sleep recommended for their flaring up when you least expect it. However, Cases/View-all-products.htm gingerlily.co.uk/silk-bedding mattresses/c54 age group. using topical steroids to treat flares would buy

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