Stuffed Toys are Dust Mite Collectors

As a child, I had lots of stuffed animals. I recall one heartbreaking episode with my beloved Big Bird doll, a big yellow fluffy thing that was the same size as I was (I was about three then). Big Bird had plastic parts -- his feet and beak in particular -- and there was no way to wash him, de-dust him, and make him allergen free for me. And he was making me sneeze and wheeze. We had to throw him away because he was making me allergic!

I recall the exact...