← Back
Psychology, family and everyday life

Sheets and blankets: soft, clean, washable

Sheets touch the skin for hours, and duvets and blankets can collect dust and germs. This section explains how to choose them.

Last updated: ~1 min read
A bed with white sheets in a sunlit room
Figure 1.Change the sheets regularly

01Short answer

Sheets: cotton, smooth and pulled flat without wrinkles, because wrinkles can press on the skin during long bed rest. Duvet: light and washable at high temperature; heavy wool blankets that cannot be washed collect dust. Two light layers instead of one heavy one make it easier to adjust for chills and sweating. Change sheets and duvet covers once a week, and straight away after sweating or soiling; wash them hot and dry them fully (“Laundry: clean and dry”). Keep a spare set. Pets should not get onto the bed (“Pets: love and safety”).

02Simple explanation

Cotton, no wrinkles.

A washable duvet.

Two light layers.

A spare set.

03Scientific explanation

NCI: during neutropenia a clean environment and good hygiene reduce infection risk.

NCI: chemotherapy can lower neutrophils, platelets and red cells, which raises the risk of infection, bleeding and fatigue.

04What happens in the body?

Wrinkles

During long bed rest, wrinkles can leave pressure marks on the skin.

Down

Down duvets are hard to wash; synthetic filling is more practical.

Neutrophils

The first defence against infection; when they are low, hygiene matters most.

Platelets

Help blood clot; when they are low, protect yourself from injury.

05Daily protection: four steps

Wash, protect, check, report.

Wash — Hands and personal hygiene.1WashHands and personal hygiene.
Protect — Against injury and infection.2ProtectAgainst injury and infection.
Check — Temperature and skin.3CheckTemperature and skin.
Report — Tell your team about changes.4ReportTell your team about changes.
HygieneClean hands.
TemperatureThe 38 °C threshold.
ProtectionYour team's rules.

06Key points at a glance

TopicIn brief
WrinklesDuring long bed rest, wrinkles can leave pressure marks on the skin.
DownDown duvets are hard to wash; synthetic filling is more practical.
NeutrophilsThe first defence against infection; when they are low, hygiene matters most.
PlateletsHelp blood clot; when they are low, protect yourself from injury.

07Key terms

Pressure injury
Skin damage from prolonged pressure.
Synthetic filling
A washable man-made fibre.
ANC
Absolute neutrophil count.
Thrombocytopenia
A low platelet count.

08Key points

  • Cotton.
  • Washable.
  • Spare set.
  • Wash your hands.
  • 38 °C: call.

09Frequently asked questions

Is a down duvet all right?

If it can be washed and there is no allergy; synthetic is easier.

Electric blanket?

Not with neuropathy (“Cold and heat: keeping your temperature balanced”).

What should I watch every day?

Temperature, bleeding, tiredness and the catheter site; tell your team about any change.

10Questions for your doctor

Take these questions to your appointment. The ones you save are collected on the “My questions” page and stay on this device only.

  1. Is a down duvet all right?

  2. Electric blanket?

  3. What should I watch every day?

My questions

12Sources

  1. National Cancer Institute. Infection and Neutropenia during Cancer Treatment
  2. National Cancer Institute. Bleeding and Bruising (Thrombocytopenia) and Cancer Treatment
  3. National Cancer Institute. Anemia and Cancer Treatment
  4. World Health Organization. World Hand Hygiene Day
  5. Blood Cancer UK. Preventing infection
  6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). People at Increased Risk for Illness from Animals
  7. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Aspergillosis Basics
  8. Journal of Clinical Oncology (ASCO and IDSA), 2018. Antimicrobial Prophylaxis for Adult Patients With Cancer-Related Immunosuppression: ASCO and IDSA Clinical Practice Guideline Update
  9. Biology of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, 2009. Guidelines for preventing infectious complications among hematopoietic cell transplantation recipients: a global perspective
  10. Macmillan Cancer Support. Support with cancer and anxiety
Medical disclaimerThis information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.
Last updated: ← Back to the list

Open the interactive site →