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Down AllergiesDown Allergies: Myths and Facts Information courtesy of The Down Association of Canada
Concern about allergies to down is a bit of an old wives tale. True
allergies to down and feather are quite rare. Most people who believe
they are allergic to down or feather are actually allergic to dust
mites. We know people who were told they were allergic to down and
feather who have been using modern down products for many years with no
problems.
High quality downs are put through
rigorous cleaning processes which finish with special treatments to
insure the down is hypoallergenic. People are usually allergic to dust
mites rather than to either down or feather. Using a mite proof pillow
protector on new or newly cleaned pillows will eliminate most of these
problems.
Some people are under the impression that polyester is a better choice
than down for those with allergies. Independent studies are now showing
this is not the case. Polyester pillows support dust mites to a greater
extent than do down pillows. A study quoted in the British Medical
Journal showed that asthmatics did better with down bedding than with
polyester.
Link to British Medical Journal Study
Link to New Zealand Study
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