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Can Dust Mites Live In Latex Mattresses

Why Allergy Sufferers And The Sleep

How To Clean and Sanitize a Mattress & Banish Dust Mites

Guest post by Cheryl Hahn, Owner, CozyPure, certified member of Green Americas Green Business Network

NATURES ABSOLUTE BEST MATTRESS MATERIAL

In 1931, the worlds first latex mattress was introduced as an alternative to horsehair, kapok and cotton batting. The features were appealing. It didnt have to be flipped, it stayed fresh, it stayed responsive, supportive, and it kept its shape. The many benefits of a latex mattress made it a huge success with consumers up through the 1960s.

Most manufacturers that make mattresses with real natural latex rubber also use organic cotton and wool in the cover, another natural resource thats better for you and better for the environment.

PROVEN TO PROVIDE HEALTHIER SLEEP

In 1954, Dr. Theo Lammers from the Institute of Hygiene at Gutenburg University proved latex foam contains exceptionally high anti-bacterial properties, making it the hygienic ideal for mattresses, superior to all other materials. The study showed that latex mattresses are unsurpassed in comfort and support, it showed exceptional durability, it stays cool, and is the healthiest choice due to its high anti-bacterial and allergy-free properties.

IDEAL FOR ASTHMA AND RESPIRATORY DISORDERS

BOUNCING BACK

GET THE FACTS

HOW IS NATURAL LATEX RUBBER MADE?

Latex allergies? No worries. The allergic proteins in latex are completely removed when made into a soft natural rubber foam. Plus, its encased and covered inside organic cotton so theres never direct contact.

How To Prevent It

The best way to prevent the reaction is to avoid risky materials.

Since rubber gloves are major culprits, you can seek out healthcare facilities that use gloves made of an alternate substance. If you do have an allergy, make sure to inform your doctors before they do any exams or procedures. You can also wear a medical alert bracelet if your allergy is serious.

For a list of other items to avoid, scroll down to the section titled, What other products contain latex?

If you encounter obstacles at work, talk to your employer about limiting your exposure or ask your company to use alternative products.

Tip #: Dont Dust Before Going To Bed

You should avoid dusting your room right before heading to bed. Every time you dust, it disturbs dust mite allergens, sending them into the air and back down onto your sleeping area right before you hop in.

Instead, plan to dust during the day as this exposes dust mites to natural light. This effectively eliminates dust mites. Running a vacuum cleaner in the daytime doesnt hurt either, once youve finished dusting.

Also Check: What Is Difference Between Twin And Twin Xl Mattress

How To Prevent Dust Mites In Mattresses

Have you ever woken up with a stuffy nose, watery eyes, skin irritation, or felt like your asthma symptoms were exacerbated? Its possible that your allergies were affected by the presence of dust mites.

What are dust mites and how can you prevent them? Well get into all of that and more in this article.

Be Choosy With Your Type Of Mattress

Can Dust Mites Live in Latex Pillows?

It is essential you remember there are some companies that will boast they sell hypoallergenic mattresses, but in reality, they use unwanted and harmful chemicals to create their allergy-resistant mattresses.

Over time, these chemicals can cause sore throats, rashes, difficulty breathing, and watery eyes, which can make you irritable and uncomfortable, just as allergies would. So, you will want to ensure the hypoallergenic mattress you are looking to buy is constructed with only safe materials from a reputable company.

At Latex for Less, the hypoallergenic mattresses are all made from 100 percent natural latex. This means that when you shop at Latex for Less, you can be sure your mattress is hypoallergenic, and made from all-natural organic latex rubber. It is better for the environment, better for you, and it will stand the test of time. If you are in need of a mattress for allergies, look no further.

Read Also: Are Slats Bad For Mattress

Dust Mites Can Live In Latex Pillows

Many latex pillow manufacturers throw unregulated words and terms like hypoallergenic and dust mite-resistant on their packaging. Although, there is no scientific evidence or study to support the claim that dust mites cannot live in latex pillows.

As dust mites thrive on the dust that mostly contains dead skin cells, it is very much possible for them to survive in latex pillows if theres sufficient humidity.Of course, there are natural latex pillows available with beneficial properties that resist moisture and prevent mold growth.

Did You Know: Your body sheds around 300,000 skin cells during sleep, which makes your pillow and mattress a hotbed for dust mites.

Natural latex is porous and offers great air circulation, which is why it remains cool and does not get hot or humid easily. This makes it difficult for dust mites to thrive in an organic latex pillow. But, if you dont use a pillow cover or dont clean your pillow well, dust mites will accumulate quickly and wreak havoc on your sinus.

The Benefits Of A Latex Mattress

If you are worried about dust mites, you should think about buying a latex mattress. There is no doubt that these beds are dust mite resistant, as well as providing a more comfortable sleep environment. If you are unsure about whether you have dust mites or are looking for a more comfortable mattress, latex is an excellent choice.

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What Type Of Bedding Should I Avoid If I Have Allergies

Certain types of bedding can irritate allergies. Some have found that down-filled bedding retains moisture and exacerbates allergy symptoms. Loosely woven bedding, or comforters and pillows with a loose fiberfill, may support the growth of dust mites.

Synthetic materials that use harsh chemicals should be avoided if you have chemical sensitivities. These materials are often less breathable. The more moisture your bedding retains, the more likely it is to facilitate the growth of mold and mildew. Bedding that must be professionally cleaned should be avoided, unless you regularly visit the dry cleaner.

Frequent Clean And Vacuum Bedroom

3 Things You May Not Want to Know About Dust Mites

No matter how tidy you are, your bedroom will accumulate dust and debris. Be diligent about cleaning to keep your allergies from going out of control.

  • Dust the ceiling fan
  • Vacuum the floors
  • Wipe down all surfaces

If you can stay on top of frequent cleaning, you can avoid major allergy attacks. If you are very sensitive to dust, wear a face mask while you clean, so dust does not send you into a sneezing attack.

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Can Dust Mites Live In Foam Mattresses At Joseph Nash Blog

Can Dust Mites Live In Foam Mattresses. In spite of the fact that dust mites canât be detected and cannot be killed, there are still several viable strategies to preventing the spread of mites. In particular, dust mites can be.

Although where memory foam is considered, the dust mites are living on the mattress or pillow. Can dust mites live in memory foam mattresses? You can breathe them in and they can cover your body when you sleep.

Bonus: How To Remove Dust Mites From A Pillow

Avoid too many decorative pillows, especially feather pillows which dust mites love. We recommend plumbing pillows every day to help them keep their shape and to remove any dust.

Some pillows can be washed. Submerge the pillow in warm water. Then add a small amount of powder detergent. Make sure to press out the extra water gently. Roll in a towel to dry, throw your pillow in the dryer on the dry air setting, or hang it outside on a breezy, sunny day. It can take hours for pillows to dry, so you need to be patient. You should completely dry a pillow to avoid any mold and mildew.

If drying in a machine, you can add a couple of towels to speed up the drying. You can put clean tennis balls in to keep the pillows from clumping together.

You should remember that leather foam and latex are the two kinds of pillows that you should not wash. They are tough to dry thoroughly. Instead, just treat any stains on the spot with a damp cloth and mild detergent.

Read Also: How To Sleep On A Hard Mattress

Does Memory Foam Contain Latex

Memory foam does not contain latex and is an entirely different material. Also referred to as viscoelastic polyurethane or tempurdic foam, this foam is synthetic and derived from petrochemicals. Memory foam is known for providing a lot of contouring, as the sleepers body should sink into the mattress, making this a great alternative if you need it.

Get More Info: Memory Foam vs. Latex

Switch To Hypoallergenic Materials

Vita Talalay Latex The Solution for Dust Mite

Todays market is full of high-quality hypoallergenic mattresses and bedding products specially designed to keep allergens away. For those who are constantly feeling the effects of these irritants, consider purchasing a hypoallergenic mattress.

Most latex mattresses and pillows are hypoallergenic, which means they are not susceptible to mites, along with mold and other harmful microbes. Although memory foam beds are highly popular, if dust mites are your prime concern, mattresses made with latex foam should provide additional airflow to keep your mattress cool and dry.

Since these insects prefer humid environments, this should help make your bed less hospitable for them.

View Our Guide:Top Rated Latex Pillows

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Foam Mattresses Might Not Always Be Better Than Spring

When it comes to dust mite allergy control, the general advice in the mattress industry is that closed-cell, all-foam mattresses are superior to innerspring and hybrid mattresses because they lack the spacious core where dust mites could theoretically hide.

However, this study concluded that replacing foam mattresses with spring mattresses may reduce the exposure to dust mite allergens whilst also reinforcing the positive impact of having a mattress cover.

As such, it could be argued that innerspring mattresses are better than foam mattresses for dust-mite prevention.

However, I personally think that the study is too small and lacks enough depth for us to go against the current logic that all-foam designs likely have the edge over spring mattresses in the war against dust mites at the time of writing.

But it serves to illustrate the point that we shouldnt take everything that the mattress industry tells us at face value.

Let me know your thoughts about innerspring vs foam vs latex mattresses for allergy control in the comments section at the end of the post if you have an opinion on this.

Mattresses Dust Mites And You: What You Need To Know

How do mattresses keep dust mites away from children? Dust mites, which are microscopic creatures, consume dead human skin cells. Dust mites prefer to reproduce in bedding products like mattresses and pillows because they have a low calorie diet. What is the best way to kill dust mites? A diatomaceous earth is made from silica rock and can be used to kill dust mites on surfaces where dust mites live . To put it another way, when they pass through it, they will instantly die because their exoskeleton has been pierced. What is dust mite proof? The tight woven covers and plastic prevent mite penetration, whereas nonwoven, loosely woven, acaricide-coated, and laminated materials do not.

Recommended Reading: Best Anti Wrinkle Pillow For Side Sleepers

Memory Foam: The Cleanest Option

Now that weve covered the fact that dust mites can still live on memory foam mattresses, heres the good news. Memory foam pillows and mattresses are still the cleanest option. The closed cell surface of memory foam that gives it that smooth feel is easy to vacuum and wipe.

Foam is generally considered to be hypoallergenic and is not the best place for dust mites to live. While they can still live on the surface of the mattress and pillows, the dust mites wont be able to get inside the foam and make a nest there.

Well go over more tips and tricks on how to keep dust mites out of your bedroom later on. For now, lets talk about keeping your memory foam mattresses and pillows dust mite free.

An old trick in the book is to sprinkle baking soda onto your mattress and pillows and then vacuum it up. This neutralises the dust mites and all their excrements and prevents them from being thrown into the air when you try to vacuum them.

Adding a few drops of your favourite essential oil to the mix will make the dust mites stick to the solution before you vacuum it up. It will also leave your mattress and pillows smelling lovely.

Try lavender for its calming properties or rosemary for its antimicrobial effects.

How To Get Rid Of Dust Mites In Your Mattress

Your child’s dust mite allergy

Everything you need to know about dust mites – myths, facts, prevention, removal, and future proofing.

The last thing you want to worry about when you climb into bed at night is wondering what other critters are lurking around under the surface of your mattress.

If youre like most people, this probably isnt something you regularly think about when you go to bed. But if you knew the implications dust mites can have on your health, you may start to take their removal and prevention more seriously.

We can clear up everything you need to know, including how to diagnose a dust mite issue, how to get rid of dust mites in your mattress, and how to prevent future issues so you can sleep soundly.

Also Check: How To Get The Best Mattress

What Are Mattress Dust Mites

Dust mites are microscopic creatures that live by the millions in your bed. They are only about 0.4 millimeters long, so you wont be able to see them with the naked eye. The average bed provides the ideal amount of warmth, humidity and food they need to grow and reproduce. Adult mattress mites usually live for one to three months, feeding on a variety of foods, but mostly they love to dine on our dead skin. The allergens produced by the mattress dust mites, in the form of waste particles, cause allergic reactions, aggravate asthma and exacerbate the symptoms of child eczema.

Tip #1: Wash Childrens Stuffed Animals And Pets Bedding Frequently

If it’s made from fabric, it could attract dust mites!

Dry out your pillows by stuffing them with old sheets or hand towels for a few hours before putting them back on the bed.

Freshen up carpets and rugs in low-traffic areas such as hallways, staircases, and attics. Use vacuum cleaner attachments to suck up dust from under furniture, where it accumulates unnoticed until disturbed.

Wipe down door frames with damp cloths if visible dirt is present then use a dry cloth to remove any excess water.

Recommended Reading: Is Polyurethane Foam Mattress Safe For Babies

Not Everyone Is Allergic To Dust Mites

Its the Der P1 and Der P5 allergens found in the fecal pellets of dust mites that cause the allergic reaction in your airways .

But have you had a skin or blood test confirm that you are allergic to dust mites?

Then your allergies may be caused by something else such as a pollen sensitivity or something else.

Dont simply buy into the marketing hype that if you start sneezing when you lie down that you have a dust mite allergy or that you need to buy a latex mattress to prevent a reaction to dust mites.

Go and make an appointment with your doctor so that you can confirm the root trigger of your allergies.

How To Know If You Have Dust Mites

Can Dust Mites Live in Latex Mattresses? [The Truth]

The easiest way to know that you are dealing with dust mites is to recognize the allergic symptoms you are experiencing. Symptoms of a mattress dust mite allergy can include a runny or itchy nose, sneezing and nasal congestion. For those with asthma, dust mites can cause you to wheeze more than normal and require more asthma medicine, especially at night.

Also Check: How Long Does A Tempur Mattress Last

Do Mites Live In Foam

Do mites live in foam? This is a difficult question to answer because there is not a lot of research on this topic. However, it is possible that mites could live in foam, since they are able to live in other types of materials. If you are concerned about mites living in your foam, you can try to vacuum it regularly or treat it with an anti-mite spray.

Does dust mite live in memory foam mattresses and pillows? Dust mites, unlike humans, do not burrow into foam. They prefer to remain hidden in the depths of the water and the surface. If a person is not allergic to dust mites, they will benefit from their presence more than if they become a nuisance. Because the pore space in memory foam is larger than that in other bed pillows, it is less likely to be contaminated with dust mites. When dust mites come into contact with your skin, they can cause allergic reactions , and when they excrete their waste, they can cause a negative reaction in your body. Dust mites can live in pillows and mattresses as a home away from home.

It is possible to reduce their numbers significantly, but not completely. Memory foam pillows can help a lot with this problem because they help to keep them from multiplying and clogging their living space. Dust mites thrive in humid environments, so keep them at bay by using exhaust fans. After about 30 minutes in direct sunlight, dust mites die. If you want to get rid of them, you can air dry your bedding in the shade under the sun for a few minutes.

How Do You Know If You Have Dust Mites In Your Mattress

There are many ways through which you understand that there are dust mites in your mattress or your house. If you wake up with rashes or redness on your body, you should understand that you are an allergen.

You may also get some symptoms that will ensure you that there are dust mites in your house, and those symptoms are mentioned below-

  • Itchy nose
  • Nasal congestion and many more

If you are facing any of these symptoms, you can say that there are dust mites in your house.

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