Dust mites thrive in Bermuda’s warm and humid climate.

While generally harmless to most people, they can cause health problems for asthmatics and those sensitive to their droppings.

Asthma charity Open Airways has been running the Pillows for Prevention programme for more than a decade to assist those affected.

“Open Airways with the help of the Department of Health school asthma nurse gives out about 700 pillows each year to primary students with asthma, both in the public and private schools,” nurse Tracy Nash told The Royal Gazette.

“The aim of the programme is to instil good habits for life as it has been shown that replacing your pillow every year can be beneficial to people with allergies and asthma.”

Not only do pillows harbour dust mites and their droppings, according to Ms Nash, they also contain mould and mould spores.

“House dust mites are microscopic bugs that primarily live on dead skin cells regularly shed from humans and their animal pets,” she said. “Dust mites thrive in our warm, humid Bermuda climate.”

Ms Nash said that although they are harmless to most people, they can cause health problems in asthmatics and others who are sensitive to their droppings.

“Freezing a pillow will kill the dust mites, however the allergy is caused by dust mite droppings which remain in the pillow,” she said, adding that the practice does not combat mould and mould spores that can also trigger allergies.

She said it is estimated that about ten per cent of a pillow’s weight consists of dust mites and their droppings after one year of use.

“Purchasing a new pillow every year is less about the pillow breaking down but much more about what can be found in the pillow upon which you lay your head and face night after night for hours on end,” Ms Nash said. “Nearly 70 per cent of people agree that a comfortable pillow is important to a good night’s sleep. Most make the crucial mistake when it comes to our favourite pillow; we’re keeping them far too long.

“Experts recommend replacing your pillows annually if you are sensitive to the allergens,” she added.

Open Airways also gives out pillows every year in May on World Asthma Day at City Hall. Ms Nash said that over the past 11 years the charity has distributed about 1,000 pillows annually. They are assisted by partners Axis Insurance, Marks and Spencer and Allied World, as well as the Department of Health’s school asthma nurse.

This year, Saltus Grammar School students assisted with counting and labelling the pillows.