Medical Weblog

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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If you want to keep a dog, some breeds are reported to be less troublesome than others. Allergy is very idiosyncratic, however, and these may not work for you, so take care. Many people with allergies say that dogs that require a lot of grooming are more likely to cause reactions than dogs that do not, because more hair is shed and more contact is necessary. Dogs that have shorter, wiry hair generally shed more dander than long-haired dogs, but dogs with soft, curly hair, such as small poodles’ are sometimes found to be less provocative.

If you are blind and have to keep a guide dog, it may be best to choose a type of dog that sheds less hair, or needs less grooming, such as curly-coated retrievers, or cross labradors.

Be careful with children and animals at school. Small mammals are often kept in schoolrooms and these may be responsible for your child’s reactions. School cats are also often allowed to roam out of school hours and can leave allergens to upset the exceptionally sensitive. Watch out for the ’school run’ if your child travels regularly in a car in which dogs travel.

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