ALLERGIC REACTION TO BEDDING: WHAT TO CHOOSE?
Synthetic and latex materials are conventionally described as non-allergenic and are often recommended by doctors in the belief that they do not cause allergy and that house dust mites do not thrive in synthetic materials. This advice is misleading. Synthetic and latex are useful as an alternative to wool and feathers, which commonly cause allergy, but people who are chemically sensitive often react to synthetics and latex (including plastic mattress covers as well as the bedding itself).
Synthetics and latex also harbour dust mites. To thrive, mites need warmth, moisture and human skin, bacteria or moulds as food. Bedclothes, pillows and mattresses of synthetics and latex provide these just as natural materials do. Some synthetic bedding can be washed and this helps in controlling dust mite allergy in that the mite’s faecal pellets (which are for most people the allergens) are washed out. But mites are not themselves killed by washing at the low temperatures necessary for virtually all synthetics. So they can survive the wash and continue producing faecal pellet allergens. Synthetic and latex bedding are therefore not an automatic choice for people with allergies and chemical sensitivity. They are a good choice if you are:
• allergic to wool, feathers, cotton or other natural fibres
• not chemically sensitive
Do not use a plastic or vinyl mattress cover even if you do not react to plastics. It prevents the mattress airing, keeps in damp and aggravates house dust mite problems. Use a small plastic sheet under the area that needs protection against bedwetting.
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