Do you have a runny nose even out of the cold and flu season? Or constantly suffer with a cough or itchy and watery eyes?
You may be allergic to the faeces of hundreds of microscopic dust mites living in your pillow, scientists claim.
It's widely known that many of the millions of dead skin cells we shed every day accumulate in our beds.
But if your pillow is two years old, 10 per cent of its weight could be blamed on dust mites and dead skin cells.
As if that wasn't enough enough to make your skin crawl, its the mites poo, not the mites themselves, that people are allergic to, according to The Hygiene Doctor, Lisa Ackerley.
Dr Ackerley said: 'Mites themselves don't carry disease, it is an enzyme in the poo that some people are allergic to.
'If people have asthma, it can make it worse. It can also give you a constant runny nose, itchy eyes, watery eyes and cough.'
Yet, while the symptoms may be unpleasant, mites don't pose any serious health risks.
And, unless you're suffering symptoms, no action needs to be taken, Dr Ackerely said.
'If it is not bothering you then it is fine, but if you are having problems with your health then you should do something,' she added.
'Don't make the bed in the morning because mites like the warmth, so if you pull the sheets back it creates a hostile, cold environment for mites.
'Wash your pillow and then tumble dry it to fluff it up, the heat from the dryer kills them.
'You can even pop the pillow in the freezer to kill the mites ? if you have space.'
Avoid drying clothes on radiators because the moisture makes your home more friendly to mites, she advised.
While keeping your house slightly cooler and vacuuming dust up will help to prevent any unwanted illnesses.
Dr Acklerley also told The Sun: 'The cleaner you keep your house the less dust there will be so the less there will be for the mites to eat.
'When you are doing the laundry, you really need to try and put it on a 60 degree wash to kill the dust mites.'
Related News
10 Ways To Use Sesame Oil For Beautiful Skin
Mushrooms could prevent risk of Dementia, scientists say
Fasting might be good for your healh, research says
Dandelion Benefits Biodiversity, Soil and Your Health
Eating cheese does not raise cholesterol, study finds
10 Signs You are Obsessing About Your Weight
Expert reveals the snacks you should eat, according to your body type
Learn How To Do Pearl Facial At Home To Get Naturally Glowing Skin Instantly
Most Read
★Grean tea could help get rid of acne
★5 foods for healthy skin
★15 Kitchen Herbs and Spices with Powerful Health Benefits
★Smoking and sight loss warning
★5 Common Mistakes that May Ruin Your Skin
★What dangers are hidden in your pillow?
★9 Food Habits To Keep Eating To Lose Weight
★Breathe Right to Live a Healthier and Better Life
★Cooking in aluminium pans may be dangerous for your health
★10 Natural beauty tips for face you must try
★5 superfoods to combat hair loss
★Learn How To Do Pearl Facial At Home To Get Naturally Glowing Skin Instantly
★The Best Breakfast Foods for Weight Loss
★Breakthrough drug restores more than 90% of lost hair in most patients
★How to Set Weight-Loss Goals You Can Actually Achieve
★Top 10 Fruits To Eat To Lose Weight Quickly
★6 Fantastic Yoga Asanas That Will Help You Fight Skin Problems
★How to exercise outdoors, when the smogs a killer
★Try these 4 simple yoga asanas to gain weight
★8 Best Foods to Eat for Weight Loss
★Hair removal injuries rocketed NINE-FOLD since 1991
★8 Time-Saving Meal Prep Ideas Nutritionists Actually Use
★3 Must Try Face Yoga Exercises For Glowing Face
★Flex Your Memory Muscle
★Top 5 foods for glowing skin
★Eat more fruit and veg for a longer life
★Could laser hair removal give you CANCER?
★Take care of your coloured hair with Wella
★Skinny jeans and big fluffy hoods contribute to back pain
★Ways to Use Honey for a Glowing Skin
★Looking towards India for design
★Work stress may lead to irregular heart rate
★Those who consume fruit and vegetables have a 40% lower risk of an incurable lung disease
★The Brilliant Food Combo That Helps You Burn More Fat
★Scientists found effective dandruff treatment
★Can high heels give you cancer?
★This Yoga Flow Will Instantly Boost Your Mood
★Losing Weight in Hot Weather Made Easy
★Cancer warning over skin bleaching treatment
★5 Exercises to Reduce Belly Fat
★Can Eating Bananas Help You Lose Weight?
★10 Benefits Of Climbing Stairs ? An Underdog In The World Of Fitness
★A platter full of seafood
★How mood and eating behaviour are connected
★Yoga Asanas To Prevent Hair Loss
★The best effective and natural plants for a good memory
★Cancer risk of breast implants 10 times higher than first feared
★WHO says strawberries may not be so safe for you
★5 most surprising cosmetic surgery trends across the globe
★Weight-lifting and protein shakes rich in growth hormones may make you bald