Mattress Health Solutions for Adults and Children

Scientists have found that if you can wash your bed linen and mattress cover at over 60 degrees Celsius for over an hour, then this will kill off most of the dust mites, but not all. Once the dust mites are in your mattress there is hardly anything you can do as you can’t just throw your mattress in the washing machine.

In days gone by, people used to put their mattresses outside to air, this is less common nowadays. This can be effective against some dust mites. They cannot survive in temperatures less than 20 degrees Celsius.

The use of bedding that acts as a barrier to the dust mite and its allergens is a good first step, the bedding should also be breathable and be able to withstand frequent washing.

A mattress protector should be used if the child is known to be susceptible to allergies.

Not all mattress protectors are waterproof; some are designed to provide 'wear and tear' protection for the mattress and are available in the form of a lightly quilted fitted sheet. These will only provide minimal protection against liquids and little or no protection from dust mites.

Waterproof and breathable mattresses can provide protection against many allergens, however, as well as keeping the mattress clean by securing it from absorbing body excretions (such as sweat) or other liquids resulting from spills. For protection against bed bugs, the mattress and the box spring must be fully enclosed with no opening.

HypoAllergenic.

HypoAllergenic refers to items (especially in textiles and cosmetics) that cause or are claimed to cause less allergic reactions.

Hypo means less, not none. An allergen is any substance, normally eaten or inhaled that is recognised by the immune system and causes an allergic reaction. Dust, pollen and pet hairs are all common allergens, but it is possible to be allergic to anything.

A hypoallergenic mattress is a specially designed mattress which reduces allergies. The mattress is usually tightly sealed in order to prevent dead skin cells and body oils from penetrating the mattress and attracting dust mites and other microscopic organisms that can cause allergic reactions.

If you cannot afford a new hypoallergenic mattress, invest in a more affordable hypoallergenic mattress cover. The cover will seal the mattress in a layer of protective material.

A hypoallergenic mattress works just like a normal mattress, using a selection of luxurious layers and fabrics to create a comfortable sleeping surface. Many hospitals use basic hypoallergenic mattresses to keep their patients healthy. These mattresses may have filling identical to an ordinary mattress, but a thick layer of plastic, latex, or vinyl on the outside prevents materials outside the mattress from seeping in. More expensive mattresses are fully hypoallergenic, using neutral materials which will not aggravate allergies.

Cotton and linen are often used to cover the hypoallergenic mattress as they can neutralize allergies and are softer to lie on. Artificial fillings such as hypoallergenic memory foam or talalay latex are used to fill the mattress, because they do not attract microorganisms and they will remain clean for the life of the mattress.

If you do have allergy concerns regarding your bedding, also think of your pillows. Dust mites can also thrive in pillows and anti dust mite and hypoallergenic pillows are widely available.

 For people who suffer from severe allergies, a new clean mattress will reduce your symptoms, especially if your bedding is changed regularly and cleaned and cared for in the proper manner.

Memory Foam.

Memory foam has a unique open cell structure that reacts and responds to body heat and weight by moulding to the contours of your body, therefore optimising the support it can give you by almost eliminating all pressure points your body is usually subjected to. It is the most effective material for relieving pressure points and used in hospitals throughout the world for prevention of pressure sores and has multiple orthopaedic and other health benefits.

Memory foam reduces the need to toss and turn during the night by up to 80%!!! The need to toss and turn is due to the creation of pressure points and one of the most common reasons for a restless and disturbed sleep. Most people actually suffer from this.

Memory foam benefits for your body include:

1) Head: Memory foam can prevent or relieve headaches, aching jaws, migraines, teeth grinding and tinnitus (ringing in your ears).

2) Neck: Correct alignment of the spine and neck areas can relieve general neck and tension pains, reduce discomfort due to vertebrae, nerve, numbness, arthritis affecting spinal joints and psoriatic arthritis pains.

3) Shoulders: Memory foam can reduce fibromyalgia (muscle pains) and frozen shoulder syndrome problems and pains.

4) Arms and Hands: Memory foam can relieve general arm and tennis elbow problems and alleviate pins and needles, numb arms and “dead hand” disorders.

5) Upper Back: Memory foam can reduce back problems and relieve curvature of the spine problems.

6) Ribs and Ribcage: Memory foam encourages correct body posture and this can  alleviate rib and ribcage pains, enhance breathing and therefore ease respiratory problems.

7) Lower Back: Memory foam provides appropriate pelvic/lumbar support which can greatly lessen lower back and sciatica pains. The sciatic nerve is a large nerve that starts in the lower back and runs through the buttock and down the lower limb.

8) Hips: Hip irritations and pain can be lessened by reducing pressure points. Memory foam provides excellent support after operations and during recovery by reducing these pressure points.

9) Knees: Memory foam can alleviate aching knees, arthritic and cruciate ligament trouble.

10) Ankles and Feet: By evenly distributing pressure, memory foam mattresses/overlays can ease and help problems due to restless leg syndrome, sore ankles and achilles tendon.

Latex.

Latex is the latest ‘in’ product in the mattress industry. Latex mattresses have become more and more popular in the UK and Europe.

The latex used in mattresses is very dense and a quality mattress core of latex will last for years and years. Latex mattress cores are always made with holes in them, these holes soften the latex and make it comfortable. The larger the holes, the softer the latex core will feel.

Some mattresses are made with different sections of latex with different sized holes. This allows the bed to have different zones - softer under the shoulders and feet and firmer under the hips.

Many latex mattresses have a layer of other materials on top of the latex core to give the bed a softer feel. Latex mattresses have a nice bouncy feel and they are very supportive.

Today, most latex mattresses tend to be either made of synthetic latex or more typically a combination of synthetic and natural latex. Most manufacturers are now using Talalay latex which is 100% natural. It is made from 100% Latex Rubber from the Rubber Tree.

The benefits of a Latex mattress include:

• Contours to the body’s natural curves
• Superior support and comfort in any sleeping position
• Choice of firmness options
• Returns to its original shape every night
• Long lasting and extremely durable
• Ventilated and breathable open-cell design reduces moisture buildup
• Naturally dust mite resistant and antimicrobial
• Reduces stress on pressure points
• Reduces tossing and turning

###