A dermatologist has issued a warning over the state of your pillow and the health hazards it could put you at risk of
If your pillow is changing colour from fresh white to murky yellow, you may have a problem on your hands. A doctor has warned these stains could mean your pillow has become a ‘breeding ground’ for bugs.
We spend hours a night in bed with our heads resting on pillows, so it makes sense they wear out over time. However, most people don’t realise they need to swap out their pillows more regularly to avoid health problems.
Dr Lindsey Zubritsky, known online as @Dermguru, is an expert dermatologist and made a plea on social media for people to check the pillows on their beds. She said that if they’re turning yellow, it could be a “health hazard”.
She said: “If you’re sleeping on a dirty, old, yellow-stained pillow, this could be hazardous to your health. It’s actually an accumulation of dirt, grime and moisture that can lead to problems with your skin, respiratory system and sleep health.
“Moisture is the number one culprit of these yellow stains, which can be caused by things like drooling in your sleep, sleeping with wet hair, oil and sebum build-up on your skin, makeup, and dead skin cells. If your pillow is yellow, that can put you at risk for clogged pores and cause breakouts and acne.
“If you have sensitive skin, it could cause flares of things like atopic dermatitis, eczema or rosacea. These yellow pillows are a breeding ground for things like dust mites.
“These little mites live to eat up our dead skin, and if your pillow is covered in them, it means you could be inhaling them, their urine or faeces. That can inflame or irritate your airways, especially if you have asthma.”
Most experts recommend replacing your pillows every year – with two years being the maximum. Besides yellowing, there are a few other signs you can look out for that means it’s probably time to art ways with your pillow:
- Loss of shape: Your pillow is flat, lumpy or deflates quickly after being fluffed
- Pain: You wake up with neck, shoulder or head pain
- Allergic reactions: You experience sneezing, coughing, congestion or itching when you wake up
- Odour: Your pillow has a musty or unpleasant odour – even after washing
- Stains: Your pillow has stains from sweat and body oils that can’t be removed through washing
- Wear and tear: Your pillow has frayed edges or rips
