Question:
For a couple of years I have periodically experienced coughing and a very
scratchy throat when I wake up or have spent a long amount of time in my
bed. Before I get rid of my down comforter and pillows, could anyone
provide me with any information about allergic reactions to down? Does
this sound like it is the case?
Answer:
Always consider that it could be a reaction not to the down but to
some impurity --some kind of mite that has learned to love your
comforter and pillows . Try having them professionally cleaned
before you give up on them. An allergic reaction would more likely be itchy eyes and a nose that
gets stuffy quite quickly. I suspect that your symptoms may be due to
your body's position rather than the pillow---an easy hypothesis to
test. If you cough and get the scratchy throat in other places
without the down, then you either have sinus disease or
gastroesophageal reflux, IMHO. H2
