A good pillow is needed for a good night’s sleep. Without a pillow, the neck and head are unsupported which can lead to both short and long-term soreness. A pillow that’s excessively soft may supply insufficient support, whereas one that is too hard will be uncomfortable.

Perhaps more important than the comfort is an unseen feature of the pillow: the fill. The wrong kind of fill can cause sleep-disrupting allergies such as a congested or runny nose, along with inflamed, red teary eyes.

The reason down fill can cause allergies is partly due to dust mites, a microscopic household creature not even visible to the naked eye. Dust mites take up residence in the natural clusters of down fiber. The dust mites produce an allergen which is incorrectly recognized by the immune system of some people as an infectious invader. The body starts off an immune response which leads to allergy attacks.

Many people suffering from down allergies will turn toward down alternatives for their pillows. Such pillows may be effective at reducing allergies depending on the exact kinds of sensitivities. There are three major kinds of down alternatives. The first type is constructed of natural material, in most cases silk. The second type is polyester-derived fibers that mimic down. The third is high tech foam which contours to the body but retains its original shape.

The down alternatives that come from natural sources such as silk are prized by many people. Silk especially is a very light but heat-preserving material that is widely used and sought after in Japan and China. The only problem for consumers here in the U.S. is that silk can be somewhat expensive.

Gel fiber synthetic pillows are likely to be the second most used fill after down. Recent improvements in the technology of polyester fibers means that they can be made almost like down, i.e. very warm but also very light and fluffy. In fact, ski clothes and sleeping bags are often stuffed with gel fiber synthetics. The consumer should be aware that the polyester fills which are best are also the most expensive. The most expensive being usually manufactured by a specialist company and licensed to various secondary industries.

The traditional construction of a pillow is two piece: a bundle of fill enclosed by a fabric pillow case. Memory foam pillows up-end this traditional construction by being made from a single piece of foam. Developed in the earliest days of America’s space program, memory foam has since then become ubiquitous in home bed products. Many find that it’s a good compromise between too soft and too hard, which additionally can shape almost perfectly to the shape of your head and neck.

Drop by our site on down alternatives to discover the most up-to-date ideas. Additional resources supplied for down alternative blankets can be located here.