Doctor issues warning to people who keep sleeping on a 'yellow pillow'

A doctor has issued a warning to those who regularly sleep on yellow, discoloured pillows.

If you're pretty particular about your pillows, you'll know that they usually need replacing every so often, usually every one to two years.

But if your pillow is discoloured to the point that it's yellow, you'll probably want to think about binning it earlier - and not just because it looks gross.

You might remember the story about the guy who got into trouble with his girlfriend after he revealed the pillow he'd been sleeping on.

In a now viral post on Twitter, Cam shared a photo of his incredibly yellowed pillow and said: “Gf is mad at me because I have revealed to her The Yellow Pillow. Fellas, I’m sure you all know that this thing is magic.

“It’s not my fault the pillow is yellow and bestows upon me the most peaceful slumber.”

Now, a yellow pillow might be comfy, but it could be doing you harm.

One expert, Dr Rubin - aka @rubin_allergy on TikTok - has explained that there are some health risks associated with using a yellow pillow.

"It poses some health problems when you keep a pillow for years on end and you see that yellowing," he explained.

"Even if you have a pillow case over it, the oils from your skin can get through the pillow case and over time stain the pillow, create some odd smells and it could increase the risk of having mould and dust mite allergens on them, making your allergy, asthma and potentially eczema symptoms worse.

"Therefore, depending on the type of pillow and its quality you may be able to get one to five years out of that pillow before you actually have to change it."

How to increase the lifespan of your pillow

Dr Rubin explained there are a few things you can do to increase the lifespan of your pillow, including getting a zippered covering so that it's dust proof.

"You want to make sure that you're laundering the pillow case regularly and depending on the type of pillow, you can actually put the pillow in the washer," he added.

Dr Rubin explained that if you do notice allergy symptoms getting worse around the pillow, it's definitely worth changing it.

So what causes a yellow pillow in the first place?

Well, one reason is sweat.

When you sweat during the night, this soaks into your pillow which over time can cause it to discolour.

Alongside this, your saliva and drool can also contribute as well as the natural oils in your skin and hair.

And, if you’re the type of person who has a nightly skincare regime then those oils, lotions and creams you’re slathering on before bed could also cause your pillow to take on a yellowish hue.

Nice.