Are there specific mattresses for people with house dust mite allergies?
Yes indeed, a lot of materials used to make mattresses are suitable for repelling dust mites. We like to go over them and we also take a closer look at mattress covers in this article. The latter, for example as a mattress protector, can also perfectly transform your existing mattress into an anti-allergy mattress.
How do you know if you have dust mites in your bed?
Too bad but house dust mites can’t be seen with your naked eye! This is because a dust mite is a microscopic animal that lives in the dust in your home. The invisible mite feeds on human and animal dander. The critter is totally harmless to us. Not the animal but the, even much smaller, droppings of the house dust mite lead to an allergic reaction in a lot of people. This can range from wheezing, coughing up mucus, itching in the nose and eyes to a stuffy nose and frequent sniffling and sneezing. This is called a house dust mite allergy.
You can, at the doctor’s office, do an allergy test. Useful to know if you are allergic to the allergens produced by dust mites. The doctor may then prescribe antihistamines. These are drugs that suppress allergic reactions.
What can I do about dust mites in my home?
Mites have a wonderful life in a moist, nutrient-rich and preferably comfortably warm environment. The ideal place to stay and raise a large family. And they find that oasis of pleasure just about everywhere in your home: in carpets, furniture, curtains, pillows and mattresses. So ventilate regularly, especially your bedroom!
Leave your bed open in the morning. This allows moisture to evaporate. If it is too cold, heat your bedroom to about 18°C. The moisture is then absorbed into the warmer air. Every time you ventilate briefly, this moist air can get out.
Wash bedding such as sheets, fitted sheets, pillowcases and comforter covers at least once every two weeks at 60°C. Choose washable pillows and duvets. If you are highly allergic, it is recommended to wash them every 6 to 8 weeks. Therefore, replace them promptly because washing them has a solid impact on their lifespan.
Which mattress to choose when you suffer from a house dust mite allergy?
A mattress consists of a mattress core and a mattress cover. Together, these parts make up your mattress. Some covers are inextricably attached to the core. While others feature removable covers, which also allow you to maintain or replace them separately if needed. They are made of supple knitted yarns, tightly woven mattress fabrics or upholstery fabrics in the case of an upholstered mattress.
Which mattress core materials work best against dust mites?
First, let’s focus on the mattress core. Mattresses with a full core, such as for example (natural) latex, (memory) foam or composite cores with for example gel or elastic polymers, are anti-allergic. The properties of these specific materials make these cores very suitable to use for people with house dust mite allergy.
However, 100% certainty does not exist, because the longer a mattress is in use, the higher the chance that dust mites will still nestle. Full cores, as opposed to mattress cores with (pocket) springs, can often get a bit warmer. Add moisture to the mix and a good breeding ground of dander, for example, and suddenly an ideal habitat for dust mites is created. Despite the allergy-resistant materials in the base.
Although some specialists claim that (pocket) spring mattresses would be less suitable, I dare to doubt this out loud. The air in the springs is constantly moving, providing active ventilation. The cover materials placed on the springs are the same as those described above as full core. Properties do not suddenly change. So as far as I’m concerned, that doesn’t make the big difference.
Personally, I think the mattress core only plays a relatively limited role when it comes to the impact on allergies. American research also shows that all pillows and mattresses contain allergens after 6 months of use.
The mattress cover or mattress cover
This brings us to the mattress cover or ticking. This cover literally forms a shell around the core and is ideally suited to stop or inhibit the development of mites. The textile industry has really made huge strides here.
HeiQ (UK headquarters), BekaertDeslee (Belgium headquarters) or Devan (Belgium headquarters) really did break new ground as producers for the industry. For example, they integrated probiotics into the yarns and fabrics used to make the mattress fabrics. Whereas until recently these probiotics were stored in microplastics and applied to the yarns, the latest technology is 100% biodegradable or biobased.
How do these probiotics work?
Essentially, rapidly developing probiotics form colonies in the fabric, eliminating the breeding ground of dust mites. While this is happening, these probiotics will also consume moisture, making your mattress feel drier. The ideal conditions for the mites disappear, causing them to depart from your mattress and seek other places. So there is no poison involved.
An additional coating and elimination of microorganisms
Several technological marvels can be named, as Devan introduced Bi-Ome as an alternative, for example. A technology that is applied to the fabric like a coating. The coating attracts microorganisms. Once in contact, their cell membrane is punctured, stopping fouling. This eliminates bacteria and fungi that can develop. Aegis also works according to this method. Fabrics treated with Bi-ome also smell fresher.
Note! Toxic coatings
There are, of course, biocide or toxic coatings that can provide relief. However here we recommend paying attention, because our skin is also exposed to this toxin, although perhaps to a very limited extent, but still. Especially if you suffer from a chronic skin disease such as psoriasis or eczema, our advice is to avoid mattress covers treated with biocides. Or check through the European Chemicals Agency to see if the product is authorized. Better safe than sorry!
Extra help for allergic symptoms: 4 tips!
- Choose a removable mattress cover that you can wash at least 60°C. Attention! If your cover has probiotics, it is best to wash it at a lower temperature. This is because otherwise you will also kill the active probiotics in your sleeve.
- Buy a good mattress protector right away and wash it regularly.
- Choose washable pillows and bedding. Make sure they are at least washable at 60°C.
- Avoid dust by closing closets tightly, avoiding piles of stuffed animals or pillows on your bed, cleaning regularly and airing well daily.
Frequently asked questions: Mattresses for house dust mite allergy
Hoe krijg je huisstofmijt uit matras?
You can clean your mattress against dust mites with a steam cleaner or by following a stay-at-home mom tip, using a combination of baking soda and essential oil. Mix 50 grams of baking soda and 10 drops of essential oil and apply to the mattress. Wait an hour. Then you can remove the mixture.
Hoe vaak bed verschonen huisstofmijt?
This depends on your degree and allergy, and is different for everyone. It is best to change your bed once a week and wash bedding at 60 degrees to prevent the spread of dust mites.
Kun je allergisch zijn voor een matras?
You can get an allergic reaction from a certain substance in the mattress, such as latex. However, many times this is due to a house dust mite allergy. Clean your mattress to determine if your allergic reaction is coming from the mattress or other bedding.
