These Are the Consequences of Sleeping With… See More
What happens to your body while you sleep may be influenced by more than just the number of hours you spend in bed. Your sleeping environment can expose you to substances for several hours at a time, and for people who are sensitive to certain allergens, this prolonged exposure may contribute to itching, redness, congestion, sneezing, or skin irritation.
The photograph above shows a type of skin allergy test, in which different substances are tested at numbered locations on the skin. The small raised bumps are reactions that can occur during the testing process. They are then measured and compared by a healthcare professional to determine whether the person may be sensitized to particular allergens.
But what does this have to do with sleeping together or sharing a bed?
When Your Bed Becomes a Source of Allergen Exposure
Your bed is one of the places where you spend the longest uninterrupted periods of time. During the night, your skin remains in contact with sheets, blankets, pillows, mattresses, clothing, and potentially another person's skin, hair, cosmetics, fragrances, or pets.
If one of these factors contains something that triggers a reaction, exposure can continue for hours.
For example, dust mites are commonly found in mattresses, pillows, carpets, and upholstered furniture. Their particles can trigger allergic symptoms in sensitive individuals. Symptoms may include sneezing, a stuffy or runny nose, itchy eyes, coughing, and sometimes worsening skin symptoms.
Dirty or infrequently washed bedding can also accumulate sweat, skin flakes, oils, dust, and other particles. This doesn't mean that every unwashed sheet causes an allergy, but keeping bedding clean can help reduce exposure to some potential irritants.
Sleeping With a Pet
For some people, sharing a bed with a dog or cat can be problematic if they are sensitive to animal allergens.
The allergens aren't simply the animal's fur. Proteins found in dander, saliva, and other bodily secretions can become attached to hair and fabrics and remain in the sleeping environment.
Because a person may spend six, seven, or eight hours sleeping close to the animal, exposure can be prolonged.
Someone who is sensitive might wake up with:
A blocked or runny nose
Sneezing
Itchy or watery eyes
Coughing
Skin itching
Redness or small irritated areas
Worsening allergy symptoms during the night or in the morning
However, these symptoms can have many causes, so they don't automatically prove that a pet is responsible.
What About Sleeping With Another Person?
Sleeping beside another person does not normally cause an allergic reaction simply because of physical contact.
However, certain things associated with the person could potentially irritate someone who is sensitive.
These might include perfumes, scented lotions, hair products, laundry detergents, fabric softeners, cosmetics, or even substances carried on clothing or bedding.
In rare situations, a person can also experience a skin reaction after direct contact with a particular substance on another person's skin.
That's why a recurring rash shouldn't automatically be blamed on the person you're sleeping beside. The actual trigger needs to be identified.
Why Does the Skin Form Raised Bumps?
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