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Experts have warned that the intense summer heat causes excessive sweating while sleeping, which may make the bed a fertile environment for the growth of bacteria and fungi.
Experts have revealed how sweating during the night can lead to bacteria multiplying in pillowcases, making them “dirtier than the toilet” if they are not flushed regularly.
Dr Gareth Nye, medical sciences program lead, told Wales Online: "Your pillowcases could be considered dirtier than the toilet. The good news is that these bacteria are very likely to be from you to begin with, and are therefore not harmful."
The medical expert encourages washing pillowcases and sheets once a week to avoid the accumulation of germs and the growth of bacteria on them.
An unwashed pillowcase can harbor 3 million types of bacteria after just one week, which is about 17,000 times more than the average toilet seat.
Real Simple also reported that after one week without washing, pillowcases had an average of 3 million bacteria per square inch (2.5 cm).
Most people can lose between 500mm and 700mm of sweat on an average night. Bed sheets or sleepwear absorb at least 200 mm of this sweat, according to Nye's study.
He added: “The body replaces skin cells, which leads to skin cells falling out. With people losing an average of 500 million skin cells a day (most of which come out at night), the body also produces other secretions and then you have additional fluid loss through saliva/saliva.” .
"If they are ignored, other problems can arise, such as fungi or dust mites, which breed on dead skin cells and can leave droppings that cause allergies and asthma. One study found that a typical pillow contains up to 16 different species of fungi and millions of fungal spores."
In a previous study, experts warned that making your bed immediately after waking up could increase the growth of bacteria, due to trapping moist air under the covers, which helps harmful bacteria to multiply quickly. Experts admit that people should let their beds breathe during the summer and change covers frequently.
Nye suggests avoiding polyester bedding and using cotton or linen covers.
Source: New York Post - https://ar.rt.com/xy6b
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