Why You Need to Wash Your Sheets at 60°C: The Gross Truth Revealed

Eye disease is on the rise in the UK as lower laundry temperatures allow dust mites to thrive in our bed sheets, eye surgeons have warned.

Experts told The i Paper They have observed a significant increase in cases of persistent eyelid inflammation, referred to as demodex. blepharitis As dust mites infiltrate people's eyes during the nighttime, an individual affected may have up to three mites per eyelash on average.

Once upon the eyelash it lands demodex mites release a blend of feces, partly digested skin cells, and eggs that have been nicknamed "trash lash".

These cause symptoms such as redness, swelling, inflammation on the surface of the cornea, lumps in the eyelid and can even contribute to hair loss.

And millions of people in the UK, most of them over the age of 50, are estimated to have the demodex – although there is no register of the disease, so it is not possible to give an accurate number.

Experts say the growth of demodex is a long-term trend which has accelerated in the past two to three years. And they believe the increase in low-temperature washes, as people seek to save money, is largely to blame.

Currently, two-thirds of laundry in the UK is washed at temperatures of 40°C or lower. However, studies indicate that a minimal heat setting around the mid-50°C range is necessary to eliminate dust mites effectively, with an even higher degree suggested for thorough eradication.

One key study In the Parasitology Research journal, the mites were exposed to various temperatures ranging from -15°C up to more than 60°C. The study concluded that "a lethal temperature for the mites is 54°C, with an even more effective killing temperature at 58°C."

Dust mites typically inhabit bedding, mattresses, and carpets; however, they may also make their home in upholstered furniture, plush toys, and various dusty areas. These microscopic organisms thrive on dead skin cells and favor moist conditions, making bedsheets and pillows particularly attractive habitats for them.

As such, ophthalmologists strongly urge people to wash their sheets and pillows at 60°C or hotter. But they say it’s still OK to wash clothes at cooler washes as they are unlikely contain many dust mites.

It is specifically advised that individuals above the age of 50 should opt for warmer washing temperatures due to the heightened risk of demodex blepharitis at those ages, with this risk continuing to rise as we advance further into life.

Julian Stevens, a prominent British ophthalmologist who assistsFormula 1 racers in optimizing their eyesight, believes that millions of individuals inthe UK are currently battling withdemodex infestation.

"This is a huge problem," he stated. The i Paper .

My coworkers and I are noticing an increasing number of patients visiting the clinic due to demodex issues, and even high-street optometrists report a significant rise. The cause appears to be that previous generations washed at temperatures of 60°C or higher, but nowadays everybody opts for much lower washing temperatures.

"I understand the reasoning behind this; however, individuals often fail to recognize the repercussions since these mites can endure temperatures lower than 60°C," explained Mr. Stevens, who formerly served as the director of laser eye surgery at Moorfields Eye Hospital and currently manages his own practice. own eye hospital .

“The only thing that we can see that’s changed is low-temperature washing. When you ask people the direct question: ‘What temperature do you wash?’ They say ‘it’s 30°C’.

Mr. Stevens mentioned that this issue has escalated into an epidemic within the past two or three years. He further explained that the rising cost of living motivates individuals to be more frugal with their finances, while the pandemic has heightened people's awareness and appreciation for environmental concerns.

Sheeraz Daya, who established the Centre for Sight eye clinic across locations such as London, Surrey, and Sussex, has witnessed a notably substantial increase in demodex cases over recent years.

He believes cooler washes are playing a role but that an ageing population – of susceptible people – is also a key factor.

Bishwanath Pal, consultant ophthalmic surgeon at Moorfields Eye Hospital, added that demodex “is often missed but can be easily treated”.

“It needs to be recognised by optometrists and general ophthalmologists so that it’s effectively diagnosed and treated,” he said.

Ways to Eliminate Dust Mites

Optase gel contains a mild formulation of tea tree oil and doesn’t need a prescription. This gel should be gently applied onto the closed eyelids, particularly massaged into the area at the roots of the lashes.

This anti-mite treatment works exceptionally well at eliminating dust mites.

The lifecycle of Demodex lasts between 14 to 16 days; therefore, treatment sessions are typically repeated every two to three weeks.

Individuals often make use of tea tree oil facial cleanser and body wash.

For patients receiving treatment at a clinic, a more potent form of tea tree oil can be obtained from clinics compared to what is available over the counter.

An additional treatment alternative involves using a topical Ivermectin solution, which should be applied to the eyelids.

Performing a thorough cleaning of the eyelid edges to remove Demodex mites can be beneficial and this procedure is known as Blephex therapy.

This is done alongside the use of tea tree oil or Okra treatment.

In the US, Lotilaner is available which effectively kills the mites. It is applied twice a day to the eyelid margins but is not yet available in Europe or the UK.

How to prevent dust mites

The key to long-term clearance is to avoid reinfection from mites at home.

To eliminate dust mites effectively at home, you should opt for steam-cleaning your carpets and upholstery, along with consistently using a moistened mop or cloth to wipe away dust.

Mattresses should be cleaned every week using hot water to eliminate dust mites, particularly if you have allergy issues.

The lowest temperature is 60°C. It’s advisable to wash your pillows annually and get new ones afterward since they accumulate skin oil, bacteria, and saliva.