SweetKate

Okay, try not slam me, but my sister has me thinking extensively about pillows in hotels and the germs,skin flakes and mites they harbor. Wish I had not spoken to her about my trip... but too late.
Question: is there a special pillow case on the market, for traveling and avoiding lice and the aforementioned disgustings? Kate

StCirq

OK, I'll try not to slam you, but have you ever traveled before? Stayed in a hotel? Gotten lice at a hotel? Has this ever been an issue? Is there something about Europe that makes you squeamish? Why would you (or your sister) think this might be a problem?

Carlos998

I don't know if you're serious or just trolling around but if there were in fact such a pillow case, I would love to know as well!

suze

I have taken a pillow case for traveling in Mexico where the cheap hotels have incredibly high polyester count sheets. But I can't imagine it would do a thing for mite or lice! If you are nervous, I would suggest buying and taking along a small down or feather travel pillow. There's no cover that will solve the problems you are asking about, to my knowledge.

kjosker

I don't know that a pillow case of any type would be effective against lice, mites, and germs without being toxic to humans too.

However, take heart that in that most hotels, and their laundry service, wash sheets and pillow cases in hotter water than most people do at home.

Of greater concern should be the reemergence of the bed bug (Cimex lectularius), in both the US and abroad. For more than you probably want to know, see http://www.uky.edu/Agriculture/Entom...ruct/ef636.htm

Also, there has been television reports about other "disgustings" in hotel/motel rooms, visible under a black light. But life is full of "disgustings;" about all you can do is live cleanly as possible, and trust your immune system.

janis

OK - I'll give you (and your sister) the benefit of the doubt. But if a pillow did have bugs - a pillow case would not help. Even if you did take a pillowcase from home, how would you keep it any cleaner than the linens provided by the hotel??

Just tell your sister to leave you alone and quit trying to ruin your trip.

PatD

I bought a small feather pillow in France last visit, and pillowcases for it. It can be compressed into a very flat package in a zip lock bag with all the air squeezed out, but puffs up when opened. I put it on top of the hotel pillow and sleep like a baby. Also is very handy on the plane.

Danna

Kate

This reminds me of a David Sedaris bit about the 'save the environment' cards in hotels intent on limiting the laundry of towels.

He says something like, "If I wanted to sleep in old skin cells I'd have stayed at someone's house or home."

I wouldn't want to look at my pillow under a microscope, would scare the heck out of me. THEN where would I go?

kswl

Actually, folks, there is a special zippered pillowcase that has a very dense weave. It is meant to protect people with allergies and asthma from any dust or dust mites they might breathe in, especially from down or feather pillows. These cases can be purchased from a variety of outlets online, from The Company Store to allergysolution.com. We have a child with allergies, and when he was very young we traveled with his own pillow, which had the special case. Going on longer plane trips, we took only the case.

That said, I'm not sure you need one if you aren't allergic to dust mites, which are apparently alive in every pillow on the planet. If you don't have a problem in US hotels, you won't in Europe---I don't think they have special killer dust mites

But, if you are planning on staying in hotels where lice would be a problem, I would certainly take along one of these cases. Or change hotels.

degas

Europe is a vistual cesspool of mites and skin flaker pests of the worst order. Taking proper precautions is a very wise thing to do. Why take a chance of getting sick and ruining a hard earned vacation?

I am marketing a new portable de-licer unit that is perfect for your needs and at just $19.95 is a real bargain.

It zaps those nasty little buggers with a massive jolt of z-rays that instantly vaporizes them. You will not find these amazing units in any store. And if you act now, I'll throw in a sheet degreaser unit for free.

jody

Having gotten a case of lice at the Waldorf in NYC, all I can say is , if it happens, it happens!
It doesn't matter if you are in a hostel or a 5 star The worst place is probably the back of your plane seat!

Those BUGS might be anywhere..and taking your own pillowcase will not protect you!

What was that TV show... they;re everywhere, they're everywhere!

elaine

Gee, if you're going to worry about pillows in hotels, I'm surprised you haven't mentioned the pillows on the airplanes.
For THOSE, I travel with a conventional pillow case.

Holly_uncasdewar

Well, now, don't stop at the pillowcase issue. The newest must-have is one of those made-for-travellers gadgets that shines a (fluorescent???) light on the bed linens so you can see just what's on there that isn't visible to the naked eye.

Some things are just better left ... unknown.

jody

Holly_uncasdewar


That is MORE than I want to know!

Betsy

Tsk, tsk, tsk, Degas. There's no advertising on Fodor's, dint ya know?


Z-rays???

LoveItaly

Hey degas, my feelings are hurt!! The last time you came up with a great idea (what was that btw?) you offered us Fodorites the chance to buy stock through you. And some of us did I believe. Of course we are still waiting for the check but knowing what an up to up fellow you are I am not worrying about my investment. I know sooner or later "the check will be in the mail".

So why didn't you offer us a chance to invest in this new adventure of yours? Take care good buddy!

degas

Betsy, the Z-ray is a new "leading edge" technology that will soon change the way we kill pests and rid ourselves of unwanted body hair, warts and bad breathe. Not that you have any of those last three things.

LoveItaly, my lazy, no-good staff has failed me again! Your profits check should have been in the mail months ago. Heads will roll! I know you could have used that 500,000 Euros.

cmt

I think I've seen somewhere, in mail order catalogues, a silk bed bag, which can be used in a regular made up bad or inside a sleeping bag, so only the bed bag touches your skin. Also in catalogues I've seen the satin (I think) pillow case with the tight weave. I just try not to think about these things. I don't think I'm going to catch lice, but if I do, then I'll deal with it.

cls2paris

I have a travel pillow cover. It is filled with that fake feather/down material and is a zippered cover. You insert the hotel pillow into it and zip it up. I got it because I have trouble sleeping on really flat pillows, I end up with a sore neck. This make the pillow plumper. I also am allergic to dust mites and this pillow cover seems to help with that. It folds up and flattens so it doesn't take up much room - about the size of a plane pillow. I got it at Travelsmith.com but they no longer carry it.

SweetKate

kswl, many thanks. I went ahead and ordered the zippered allergy travel-pillow sham, but more importantly shared the website with my friend who has one very allergic little boy.
Kate