It is possible to avoid mattress allergies and get a restful night's sleep.
For a person with allergies, the bedroom is an important focus, because more hours are typically spent there than in any other room of the house. More specifically, it is important for people who do not want to be miserable with allergy symptoms to assure that the they sleep on mattress is allergy-free.
Symptoms
When sleeping on a mattress that triggers allergic reactions, symptoms can include stuffy nose, sneezing, watery or itchy eyes, or skin reactions--such as rashes and fatigue. A common cause of these symptoms is the dust that settles in the mattress. Allergies to the materials in the mattress itself are also common.
Bedding Material
Many people find that they have allergic reactions to the materials from which their mattresses were made. For example, feathers in a feather bed can trigger symptoms. Mattresses can also contain materials like plastics, vinyl, synthetic materials and chemicals that can trigger allergic symptoms. Some mattresses consist of latex, which can cause problems for many people who suffer from allergies.
Allergens
Many people are allergic to materials that settle into the mattress, with a key culprit being dust and dust mites. Mold and mildew are other substances that can find their way into a mattress and create allergic symptoms in susceptible people.
Solutions
To reduce the number of dust mites and other allergens in a mattress, thoroughly vacuum the mattress frequently, preferably with a vacuum cleaner than uses a filter specifically designed for allergies. It is equally important to wash the bed linens (sheets, blankets and bedspreads) about once per week in hot water. This eliminates many of the allergenic materials, such as dust, that would otherwise make their way into the mattress.
Covers
Mattress covers and encasings, which enclose the mattress and "lock out" allergens, are a key solution to mattress allergies. For controlling dust mites, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, "The single most important method is to put zippered allergen impermeable or plastic covers on all pillows, mattresses and box springs. Encasing mattresses works better than air cleaners to reduce allergy symptoms."
Allergies to Materials
To deal with allergies triggered by the actual mattress materials, thoroughly research mattress options. Avoid certain synthetic materials that are known to cause problems, such as the various plastics and chemicals, and consider something like an organic mattress that consists of natural materials.
