Boyfriend constantly wakes up with allergy symptoms in our bedroom

[Letssleeppeacefully]

My boyfriend seems to have some kind of allergic reaction only in our bedroom. About 2–3 nights a week he wakes up with a streaming nose and blowing his nose every few minutes. It always happens in the middle of the night. It doesn't happen in any other room in the house or in any other house. The bedroom is cleaned regularly and it doesn't coincidence with cleaning schedules, we don't have pets, the laundry detergent is the same. What's hard to understand is that it doesn't happen every night and there seems no logic or pattern to it.

I’ve suggested he take antihistamines before bed or even start trying to eliminate possible allergens in the room. But he refuses to try anything.
It’s gotten to the point where I feel I need to take action. What possible allergy could this be? What could I try to eliminate or do to help stop his suffering (and enable me a good peaceful nights sleep!)

If he can't help even be arsed to take a basic antihistamine that'll cost him pennies, I wouldn't be falling over myself to do a damn thing.

Hay fever?

I agree with the pp though!

Dust - perhaps try dry cleaning the actual pillows as they might have built up dust over the years?
plants - including trees/plants near your bedroom window?

Feather allergy from the pillows? If they’re not feather get some anti-allergy ones anyway Dunelm do good ones!

Also set up an air purifier in the room. It will help get rid of allergens but also if you get one which has a digital reader on it it will actually tell you how bad the air in your bedroom is for allergens

I get this. For me it’s caused by feathers in bedding/pillows. I’m not sure if I’m allergic to the feathers or the dust which they attract (I know I have definitely got a dust allergy). Do you have anything with feathers on the bed? A down duvet or pillows? If so, try synthetic duvet/pillows and see if that helps.

He does have hay-fever but this is all year round. We don't open windows much to limit the pollen etc coming in.

I had a slight inkling that it may be the bedding. A few have commented on it and indo have feather down duvet and pillows. I have actually mentioned this to him and said I think it could be that but he hasn't been bothered to get a different duvet to try. Of course if we need a plain duvet without feathers then that's what we need but I love the feathers. Just interesting that it's not every night.

I'm going to look into dry cleaning the whole duvet and pillows and get an air purifier. Thanks for those suggestions.

Yes I agree too, I shouldn't have to do these things. He should! But after a disturbed sleep and argument last night I can't take it any more.

it would take him 1 second to take an antihistamine ffs - honestly if he’s this pig headed about waking you up then he’s dick. I think some men can’t bear the fact they might have a physical ‘weakness’ so deny it. But he needs to work on that not you.

Do you have a divan base or slatted bed frame? Divan bases are a no no with dust allergy.

Is it that he can't be bothered with the anti histamine, or thinks they are bad for him in some way?

Do you dry your bedsheets outside? Pollen might be on the bedsheets themselves. I can’t hang any bedding outside to dry for this reason.

Dust mite allergy is pretty common. Google it and you'll see what to do, but looks like that'll all be down to you. I'd be developing a boyfriend allergy.

You'll need to change your bedding, he's reacting to it. Taking an antihistamine might not be sufficient anyway. If you show so little care for him that you're not prepared to do this then he would be better off with someone else, frankly.

If he has hay fever, the likelihood that feather / down duvets are an issue is pretty high.

I think it's a little harsh to say I show so little care for him. Here I am trying to get solutions and advise. Whilst he is not doing anything and is happy to continue keeping me awake.

He takes antihistamines for hay fever and has taken them in the past for other things. But says they're useless. He doesn't know they're useless for this particular case as he hasn't tried. And stronger ones can be prescribed.
We don't do laundry outside either for this reason.
I appreciate all the suggestions and ideas. Thank you

It took me years to work out that feather bedding (not in our bedroom) was setting me off terribly. I try and wash feather bedding at a laundrette, doesn't need doing that often.

Antihistamines don't help me when it's been severely triggered.

If it’s dust intolerance it could be dust in the feathers, pillows or carpet, under the bed, clothes storage etc.

To help myself with similar I use: washable duvet, synthetic pillows, laminate flooring, bed we can easily hoover under. Nothing stored under the bed, no extra cushions / throws/pillows nor overstuffed wardrobes/drawers.

He should be sorting it, it’s his personal health. It’s not a good sign if he’s taking his problem out on you.