Most people know they should wash their bedsheets once a week - but if we're being honest, quite a lot of us don't change them anywhere near that often.
In fact, research has shown that almost half of single men sometimes go as long as four months without washing their sheets. And aside from it just being generally hygienic to wash you bed linen regularly, not doing so could trigger a number of health conditions.
“Beds can become reservoirs of human cells, bacteria and bodily excretions. Humans shed half an ounce of skin each week – and a lot of that will be in the bed,” said Dr Lisa Ackerley, Hygiene Doctor and Dettol Expert. This in turn can lead to triggers of the following medical issues, according to the Bed Kingdom.
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1. Eczema
Eczema is a common condition that causes the skin to become itchy, dry and cracked, and it can be very uncomfortable for those suffering from the condition. Dirty bed sheets can worsen the symptoms of eczema.
When your sheets aren't clean, the fabric can irritate your skin when it rubs against it. Dead skin cells and dust particles can collect in your sheets and irritate your skin, especially if your bed is too warm and sweating occurs.
Make sure to regularly wash your bed sheets at least once a week to rid your bed of any dirty particles that might irritate your skin.
2. Pneumonia
Pneumonia is a type of chest infection that can make breathing difficult. Common symptoms include coughing, feeling tired and weak, sweating, or shivering more frequently.
Your bedsheets can host a range of bacteria, but pneumonia is usually caused by bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae. Many different types of bacteria, including Haemophilus influenza and Staphylococcus aureus, can also cause pneumonia. Washing your bedsheets regularly is the safest way to rid your bed of any bacteria living between your sheets.
Most people with pneumonia can be cured with treatment. However, it can sometimes be life-threatening, and you should take it seriously even if you're young and fit.
3. Acne
Acne is a common (and sometimes painful) skin condition that can affect most people at some point in their life. Although more commonly found on the face, acne can also affect the back and chest area.
Whilst acne isn't caused by bad hygiene, dirty sheets or pillowcases can be partly to blame. Embedded dirt, dead skin, and bacteria can clog your pores. The longer you wait to clean your sheets, the more bacteria can build up in your sheets, which can worsen acne on either the face or the body.
Changing your pillowcases every 2-3 days and the rest of your bedding once a week could help improve acne breakouts.
4. Asthma
Asthma is a common lung condition that causes occasional breathing difficulties. It can affect people of all ages but often starts in early childhood, although it can also develop for the first time in adults.
Asthma symptoms can worsen if you do not regularly clean your bedsheets. Dust mites and dust particles can live in the bedding, mattresses and pillowcases, as they thrive in humid conditions such as a bed.
Ongoing exposure to dust mites at home can impact the health of people with asthma and those who are allergic or sensitive to mites. Clean your bedding on a hot cycle and regularly vacuum your bedroom to help your asthma symptoms.
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