It doesn’t seem quite fair that those suffering from allergies should have extra inconveniences, yet those with allergies often end up not only sneezing, itching, and getting rashes, but also snoring.

One in three Kiwis suffers from an allergy, and for many, they don’t even realise what they’re reacting to. Especially when what they’re reacting to is tiny, unseen particles floating in the ear or resting on furniture – that’s right, dust.

For those who don’t cope well with dust, breathing through your nose could become difficult – and we all know what that means for our sleeping habits. Oh no; here comes the snore!

Snoring because of a dust allergy can happen in two ways

• Noisy nasal breathing (think wheezing, rumbling or whistling sounds)
• A blocked nose can force you to breathe through your mouth (uh oh – the air colliding with your soft palate makes a real ruckus!)

So how do you know if you have a dust allergy?

Do you snore less while in a hotel or at someone else’s place? If that’s the case, it might come down to sleeping in a dusty environment normally.

Which means, unfortunately, that it’s time to clean! Move your furniture, dust the windowsills, and vacuum the corners of the room. Be sure to wash your bedding (even your pillows and duvet) as well – you’d be surprised how many of those annoying little dust mites make their home in your bedding.

Keeping your room free of dust could well reduce your snoring – who knew our mothers were right about the benefits of keeping a spotless house?

If your room is free from dust and your snoring continues, then it's unlikely it is a dust allergy that is causing your snoring.

If it's not dust or other allergy causing the snore then try a SnoreMeds™ mandibular anti-snoring device. Worn in the mouth, it works as a splint by pushing out and positioning the lower jaw slightly forward by a few millimetres while you sleep. As a result, the throat is kept open, allowing air to flow through the breathing passage unobstructed. That means you can breathe more freely and stop snoring.

While SnoreMeds™ works for most snorers if you think your snoring is allergy related consult your doctor first.