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I've ordered samples of 100% natural latex, some dunlop and some talalay, from about 4 companies now (Savvy Rest, Organic Grace, The Natural Bed Store, and Lifekind). When I have all my latex pieces on my computer desk about 2-4 feet away from me, I notice my nose starts burning a bit, like the nasal passages are swelling. The samples are now a good 2 weeks old or so and have been out of their packaging, so I thought they would be aired out by now. I haven't had any skin reactions from touching them, just the burning/stuffy sensation. Anyone else notice this? I've been reading the forums and saw some mentions of a latex smell, but mostly people say it goes away quickly and isn't that unpleasant. I thought 100% natural latex shouldn't cause any respiratory reactions? |
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cmq2009 wrote: Well, I decided to visit my "local" (as in long drive) Savvy Rest dealer to try out the latex mattresses.
I talked to them for a while on the phone about the mattresses and how I was still hesitant about latex as the raw cores from Savvy made my nose burn, but I was hoping all wrapped up they would be ok as they seem like they would be comfortable. They talked about how there's a layer of wool plus the cotton fabric and how the latex is washed and I wouldn't ever have contact with the latex and so absolutely come on over and test it out. Well, I went there and turns out there were raw cores draped just about everywhere! So much for testing what things would be like with wrapped-up latex. Good thing I don't have a life-threatening allergy or I would have been in big trouble, not to mention a long wasted drive. Anyway, I toughed it out because I really wanted to know what the beds would feel like. I found it quite comfortable once I customized the layers. I thought talalay was too soft/hammocking for back sleeping and liked all-dunlop. It definitely helps to try them out in person I think. My nose though was burning and face was itching by the 2nd hour of trying out mattresses even though I never actually touched the cores. Now I have no way of telling whether a well-wrapped latex mattress would bother me or not. People claim once it's wrapped there's no off-gassing of the latex proteins, but I've tried wrapping my Savvy samples (and a Latex Green dunlop sample from RMM) in 2-3 pillowcases and a decently thick cotton towel, and I can still smell the latex through that all, and still have the swelling though not as quickly as without the wrapping. I don't itch once the latex is wrapped though. The symptoms I have with latex are basically the same as what I have with polyurethane and memory foam. So, I don't know if it's the latex proteins or the approx 3% additives needed to turn latex sap into latex foam, maybe necessary to make any foam. And, I don't know if it will get better with time as latex gets to air out. So does everyone really not smell the latex when you put your nose to your mattress (over the cover. I'm guessing if you put your nose to the raw core all of you would smell it)? If you do smell it, can you still breathe normally, no swelling, burning feeling, or difficulty inhaling through your nose? If you put your nose up to polyurethane or memory foam, any problems there? cmq, given this new info I would say you are not a candidate for a latex mattress, covered or not. It certainly sounds like you have a somewhat severe allergy to latex. |
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Susan- thanks for that response. It's really strange to be able to smell something others don't! Especially when the bed manufacturers (some of them anyway) claim that all the latex proteins are washed out, there are no chemicals, etc. etc.
I too don't seem to be actually allergic. My dish gloves contain natural latex and have a warning on them to avoid with allergies. I've blown up latex balloons, have elastic in some of my clothes, and things like that. Something about the foam is more bothersome than any other product for me. I suspect there might be something about the chemicals used to make sap into foam, as this would explain why I have the same problems with polyurethane foam and memory foam. When I added a wool topper on top of my polyurethane foam, the leg rashes I had for 2-3 years cannot be seen anymore, and I've noticed I don't seem to itch so much at night. It could also be a sensitivity that's not quite an allergy, in which case, I totally agree with you, I just don't want to push it over the edge. I did find latex comfortable so that's too bad. I do wish all the latex sellers were a little more upfront. I had quite a few claim all the latex proteins are washed out, which according to Pubmed (the most common medical database) is just not true. There were 2 studies that tested natural latex mattresses and found latex proteins. They also claim the mattresses are 100% natural, where it should be 92-96% or so rubber and 2-3% ash, preservative, antioxidant, proprietary formula (for talalay), etc. This message was modified Jun 16, 2011 by cmq2009
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