Is it Safe to Sleep with a Blanket over your Head / Face ! - BetterHealthFacts.com

Sleeping with Blanket over your head is often a habit of some kids. Some do it to get rid of fear of darkness in the night, while some do it to get more warmth. Adults have their own reason to do that, such as using smartphone under the blanket to don't let anybody else know that. Most common thought that comes in the mind of an educated man is if we consume all oxygen inside the blanket then we might die. Here we are going to find if it is really possible to run out of oxygen by covering your head with a blanket.

Is it Safe to Sleep with a Blanket over your Head / Face ?
Yes it is safe only if you are a healthy adult and the blanket is not too thick.

Can i run out of Oxygen by covering my head ?
Usually blankets are not air-tight, so can't run out of oxygen. But if it is a thick fiber blanket then it may reduce the air flow. CO2 concentration near your face might also increase.

Must Read if you cover you head while sleeping !

• Infants should never sleep with their head covered as this behavior is connected to sudden infant death syndrome. Reference
• An unhealthy person or a person with some respiratory diseases should never sleep with face covered by a blanket.
• Even a healthy person should not use a thick fiber blanket to cover his/her head. More CO2 concentration can cause brain damage. However such blankets are not air tight but they can reduce air flow through them to a great extent.
• You should not just fear about lesser oxygen inside the blanket, but also the cleanliness of the blanket used to cover the face. 
• A new blanket should never be used to cover head as it may have some manufacturing dust with some micro-organisms which can easily enter your body through nose, ear or mouth. It should have been washed at least twice before you cover your head with it.
• A very old blanket may also be harmful as it may also have dust deposited inside its fibers.
• Inhaling dust through a blanket on regular basis can damage your lungs gradually.
• Asthmatic people are never advised to cover their face while sleeping as it reduces the fresh air supply. 
• A thin blanket might not be harmful as enough air can flow through it and usually they are washed at home regularly.
• Sleeping with a blanket over your head reduces your hearing and smelling sense, which may help you in sleeping better, but it can also make you vulnerable to any danger in your surroundings.

What if i can't sleep with my face open ?

If you can't sleep due to some light falling on your eyes (as some people have tendency to sleep in complete darkness), then you may use an eye mask to cover your eyes only. It may also help you if you feel some fear.

When you sleep with your head inside the blanket then oxygen level might decrease. A healthy adult can easily figure it out due to rise in pulse rate and uncomfortable breathing. He/she will automatically remove the blanket from his/her face without getting awake. 

A good ventilated room is often suggested by doctors to live a healthy life. Same applies to your blanket while sleeping. It is not a healthy habit to sleep with your head covered.