MAKING your bed each morning is often associated with having your life together.
It can make us feel organised, disciplined and tidy.
But pulling up the covers, throwing on a pretty blanket and fluffing your pillows could actually be doing damage to your health.
Now, this might sound sound counter-intuitive, but several studieshave suggested you making your bed as soon as you wake up might put some people at risk of a serious condition.
According to US research, made-up beds can be a breeding ground for dust mites, which can trigger asthma and allergies attacks.
This is because the pesky little critters tend to thrive in warm, damp climates – just like your bed after you wake up.
And with temperatures in the UK reaching 32C this week, it's more important that usual keep your bed aired.
To avoid an infestation,Martin Seeley, sleep expert at MattressNextDay, suggested people don't make their bed within the first 30 minutes of waking up.
He said: "Allowing your bedding to remain unmade for a while gives it exposure to natural sunlight.
"Natural sunlight can play a role in preventing the accumulation of dust mites and has disinfectant properties which can kill some bacteria and mites, further reducing potential health risks."
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Studies suggest around 6.7million people in the UK are allergic to dust mites.
If you're one of these unlucky people, you might notice symptoms such as a runny nose, sneezing, coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath.
The only way to confirm if you have an allergy is to ask your GP to refer you for a skin prick or blood test.
If you have asthma and are allergic to dust mites, they can trigger an asthma attack, according to charity Asthma and Lung UK.
How to get rid of dust mites in your home
EVERYONE has dust mites in their home.
It’s impossible to get rid of all dust mites, but there are things you can do to keep your house as clean as possible to remove some of them.
- use anti-allergy pillows, duvets, and mattress covers
- wash all bedding and toys once a week at 60C or above to kill mites
- install wood or laminate flooring instead of carpet, if possible
- fit blinds that can be easily wiped down instead of curtains.
Source: Asthma and Lung UK
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