Best Sheets for Sensitive Skin: A Guide to Restful Nights and Comfortable Sleep

Why Do Bed Sheets Irritate Sensitive Skin?

There may be several reasons why other fabrics may irritate your sensitive skin. First, thicker and high thread count materials tend to trap heat and raise your body temperature, which can make you sweat and clog your pores. Itchy details such as lace or embroidery may also cause skin sensitivity flare-ups. Any type of bedding that traps heat, such as wool, polyester, fleece, and flannel as well as all synthetic fibers should be avoided. These sheets can trap your body heat and make you sweat, which typically makes eczema and other skin symptoms worse. A combination of these types of fabrics and various chemicals can trigger all sorts of skin reactions, so it’s best to steer clear of them.

Certain conventional bedding materials contain a variety of potential irritants, including:

What is the Best Fabric for Bedding for Allergies?

Before you buy new sheets, make sure that they’re made of hypoallergenic fabrics suitable for allergies and sensitive skin. Many of the chemicals we already mentioned can only exacerbate allergy symptoms, while some may even cause people to develop allergies they never had before. The best sheets for sensitive people are made of completely organic materials like real organic cotton and linen. These fabrics are naturally hypoallergenic and as an added bonus, they’re also naturally moisture wicking to help you stay sweat-free and cool.

Aside from organic cotton and linen, there are other allergy-friendly fabrics available, like:

• Bamboo: If you want to stay cool and dry, bamboo sheets are a great choice. The plant fibers naturally wick moisture away from you while also discouraging mold growth and dust mites that can trigger allergies. Bamboo bed sheets are also quite durable, but just make sure that they bear the global organic textile standard certification to ensure that they’re purely organic.
• Silk: Not only do these high quality sheets have a luxurious look and feel, but they also have cooling properties. Silk is a lightweight fabric that’s extremely soft to the touch, making it a smart option for people with sensitive skin and allergies.
• Other cotton sheets: Some other cotton is allergy-friendly including Egyptian cotton, Supima cotton, sateen sheets and cotton percale sheets. Choose sheets made of long staple cotton fibers to ensure that you’re getting smooth, durable bedding that will last.

Why is My Bed Making Me Itch?

If your skin tends to itch at night, there could be several culprits at play. Dust mites, pet dander, and other allergens can cause a wide variety of symptoms, including itchy skin. If you’re a hot sleeper, simply being too warm at night can cause you to become itchy. In fact, people who sleep hot and sweat at night can experience irritating eczema symptoms that could interfere with a restful night’s sleep. A warm, moist environment encourages the growth of mold and mildew, dust mites, and may even create an enticing environment for bed bugs. Look for cooling sheets that are lightweight and breathable to help you sleep more soundly.

Here are some more tips and solutions to help you alleviate the itching to improve your sleep quality:

• Keep pets outside of the bedroom at all times, especially if you’re allergic to pet dander.
• Turn your central heating down or turn it off altogether. Instead, keep a window open or keep a fun running to help you stay comfortable and cool.
• Aside from purchasing sheets made of natural, organic materials, do the same thing for your pajamas. Stay away from sleepwear made of a semi synthetic fiber and stick to cotton or silk instead.
• Thicker mattresses might be comfortable, but they can often trap allergens inside. Choose a hypoallergenic mattress made of natural materials like latex, which is naturally hypoallergenic. Materials like memory foam can trap body heat and make you hotter while you sleep.
• Keep a bottle of anti-itch cream or lotion by your bedside in case you have a flare-up during the night. This will help you alleviate itching without having to get up, which can interfere with a good night’s sleep.
• Remember to use other bedding like duvet covers, comforters, and blankets that are also only made of the best materials to prevent itching and allergies.

Can I Be Allergic to Bed Sheets?

Yes, it’s very possible that you might be allergic to your bed sheets, especially if you aren’t using the best sheets for sensitive skin. Dust mites and other allergens can get trapped in the weave of the material over time. Then, when you move around during the night, all of those irritants get knocked loose and you inhale them while you’re sleeping. This results in a myriad of symptoms including an itchy and runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing, and even respiratory symptoms like coughing or wheezing. While all of these may be indicative of other allergies, they’re also quite common in people who have sheet allergies. One way to determine whether or not it’s your sheets causing the issues is to replace them with a new set made of better materials and see how you feel after a few nights.

To manage your allergies, always choose the best bed sheets available, which include anything made of natural, organic materials such as cotton, linen, silk, or bamboo. You can also use allergen-proof mattress covers to keep irritants to a minimum. Wash your bedding weekly and make sure you follow the care instructions. If the bedding can be washed in warm water, make sure the temperature is at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit so it kills dust mites and other allergens. Keep the humidity level in your home as low as possible. Levels that are 50% or lower are ideal, and you can use a dehumidifier in the bedroom if you need additional help. Remember to dust and vacuum regularly, paying close attention to the corners of the room and window blinds.