Best Pillow for Allergies: Stop the Sneezing and Sleep Better!

Sneezing leads to wheezing. This is what many doctors tell their patients. That’s why if you have asthma, you should stay away from “sneezing triggers”, like dust mites, which unfortunately can even snuggle into your pillow if it’s of not the right type. Pick a pillow that keep allergens away. Want to know which one? Check it out.

One Second Reviews of the Best Hypoallergenic Pillows

Symptoms of Dust Mite Allergies

Tell some people their pillow could be the reason behind their sneezing and they might reply ‘My pillow! You got to be kidding me! How could a pillow cause allergy?’

If you too find hard to believe this, the answer is through dust mites.

Dust mites are microscopic creatures that look like a spider (yup, small things can hurt us just as badly). They love to burrow in carpets, blankets, curtains, mattresses, and pillows and can trigger asthma symptoms.

Common symptoms of dust allergies are sneezing; stuffy or runny nose; red or teary eyes or itchiness in the eyes; coughing, wheezing, chest tightness and difficulty in breathing; and itching.

Pillow Types that Are Safe for Asthma and Allergy Sufferers

Rob J.Our Expert

If you’ve recently changed your pillow and are waking up with one or more of these symptoms, your pillow might be the culprit. Shun it and try one of the pillow types mentioned below, all of which are a safer option for people prone to allergy.

• Memory foam pillows. The structure of memory foam is such that it repels dust mites away. Besides being hypoallergenic, these pillows also offer better support and last for many years. While memory foam by nature doesn’t support dust mites, some foam pillows might be prepared using toxic, harmful chemicals. You might want to purchase a memory foam pillow made in the US, Canada, or Europe, as these places have more stringent safety rules and regulations than some other countries, like China.

• Tempur-pedic pillows. The foam used in a tempur-pedic pillow is different than memory foam, but it too is not conducive for dust mites. These pillows, much like memory foam ones, have the ability to contour to the body’s shape and provide great support.

• Latex pillows. There are different types of latex, but all are mildew-proof, antimicrobial, and unsuitable for dust mites. These pillows also offer good comfort, are durable, and require very less maintenance.

• Synthetic fiberfill pillows. Feather and down pillows are not the best choice for someone with asthma because they provide dust mites a good environment to live. Instead of them, consider synthetic fiber fill pillows, which have all the qualities of the feather and down pillows but not their biggest shortcoming.

Choosing the Right Firmness for Your New Pillow

Ok, you now know the pillow types suited best for allergy sufferers, but is this information the only thing you need to know. What about the pillow’s firmness? Isn’t that very important, too?

Here are a few tips to help you pick a pillow tailor-made to your sleeping style and body size.

Stomach sleepers should consider a soft, thin pillow. So should back sleepers. A soft pillow nicely cradles the head when you sleep on the stomach, without disturbing the neck, head, and spine alignment. If you are petite or someone who likes to scrunch up the pillow, you might benefit from a soft pillow.

Rob J.Our Expert

Medium pillow, on the other hand, is considered best for back sleepers, as they offer a little extra support in comparison to soft pillows. The extra support helps maintain alignment and protects you against neck kinks. Those who like supportive yet soft and plush pillows might also want to use a medium pillow, even if they sleep on their sides.

For side sleepers, a firm pillow is the best option. It adequately fills the space between the shoulder and neck, maintaining alignment and proper sleep posture.

Other Preventive Strategies

A suitable pillow can reduce your risk to dust mite allergy, but it alone can’t completely eradicate the risk, simply because dust can be present in other places in your house. Here are some other tips that further reduce your risk of dust mite allergy:

• Use an air conditioner or a dehumidifier to ensure relative humidity is not more than 50%.

• Encase your pillows and mattresses in allergen impregnable or dust proof covers.

• Launder your blankets, mattresses, and pillows once every seven to ten days in hot water (minimum 130° F). This will kill the dust mites present in them. If a pillow or blanket is non-washable, refrigerate it overnight.

• Replace feathered bedding with synthetic materials.

• Remove dust using a damp mop. A dry cloth for this purpose is a bad choice as all it stirs up the allergens.

Review of 5 Best Pillows for Allergies

Pinzon Primaloft Hypoallergenic Down Alternative Firm Density Standard Pillow

This pillow has a good loft and holds its fullness, yet it is pliable and not too firm. It offers good support to the head, maintains the neck, head, and spine alignment, and feels comfortable when you lie upon it.

Made for side sleepers, the Pinzon Primaloft Pillow offers all the comforts of down without its biggest shortcoming—heat retention. It stays comfortably cool throughout the night, so no more tossing and turning and waking up in night because of increased warmth under the head.

The cover is 100% cotton and comfortable to touch. It is also machine washable, so is the pillow. Removing and putting back the cover is short work, as it is zipped to the pillow.

The Pinzon Pillow is made in the USA, another reason why you might want to consider it if you have a penchant for locally made products.

All in all, it is a comfortable pillow. And, yes, it’s hypoallergenic (it’s mentioned even it its name!).

Pacific Coast Double Down Around Pillow

This 95% feather and 5% down pillow is firm yet supportive enough to give good support. It is also sufficiently pliable and easily conforms to individual preferences.

The Pacific Coast Pillow comes with a unique design, called pillow-in-a-pillow design. Basically, the pillow has 3 layers to it, with the middle one being feather. Thanks to its unique design, the pillow offers a comfortable experience.

The cover is 100% cotton (thread count is 300). It is soft, comfortable, and breathable. However, the best part is it keeps dust mites away, making the pillow a good option for also those who are prone to allergies.

Another thing working in its favor, at least as far as some buyers are concerned, is its made-in-USA label. There’s a 5-year warranty on it, which is another big plus.

The only negative I can think of is that some users might find it too thick. But for most people, it should work absolutely well.

Shredded Memory Foam Pillow with Bamboo Cover by Coop Home Goods

This pillow is neither soft nor form; it is something in between. It feels comfortable and yet supports the neck and head well.

Another good thing is that the thickness can be increased or decreased, something most other memory foam pillows don’t have. There’s no magic button for this, though, but that’s ok, because you don’t have to do much. Fold it in half and give a good pounding on the sides if you want it thin. To make it thicker, on the other hand, grab the both ends and push each towards the centre.

The memory foam used is CertiPur-US certified, so there’s enough proof of its good quality and suitability for asthma and allergy sufferers. Like other Coop Home Goods pillows, this one too is made in the USA.

A 5-year warranty against going flat is enough to dispel concerns about it losing shape. And if the pillow doesn’t work for you, you can return it within 30 days and get a full refund.

The pillow smells pretty bad when you unwrap it. You might want to throw it in the machine with a fistful of a strong detergent to wash off the plastic smell.

Pinzon Gel Top Memory Foam Cooling Pillow

This pillow surprisingly cradles the head really well, surprisingly because the pillow really feels firm when you touch it. As far as relieving pressure points is concerned, it is as good as any memory foam pillow, thanks to its 3-pound density.

The textured gel pad prevents the pillow from getting warmer, but it definitely does not make the pillow cooler than pillows made from materials that naturally breathe well. However, it feels more pleasant under the head than pillows made of only memory foam, a material that does not breathe well.

I didn’t have to flip to the “cooler side” when I used it and I get a little warm under the head too easily during sleep. I expect it to work fine for most sleepers, but don’t expect it to give any cooling sensation.

It has a zip-off cover which is machine washable and dryable. As memory foam is naturally hypoallergenic, this pillow is a good option for allergy sufferers.

The only problem is the smell, which is pretty strong initially and does not fade away for a few weeks at least.

Aeris Memory Foam Pillow

This memory foam is supportive and sufficiently firm. If you like firm pillows which gives good support, it might be a great option for you.

Those who have not used a firm pillow before, however, will have some trouble adjusting. Although, you might love it once you get adjusted to it, for it does supports the neck really well, a must-have quality in a pillow for those with neck pain.

The Aeris Pillow doesn’t get warm as some other memory foam pillows, which is a nice thing. It is a good option for people prone to allergies, as are most memory foam pillows.

The pillow cover is 80% cotton and 20% polyester. It is very comfortable and soft to touch, and comes in four colors: white, brown, blue, and purple. Another good thing is that it is machine washable. Just unzip the cover and toss it into the machine whenever you feel it needs a cleaning.