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Hello everyone, I am in the process of finding a new mattress. I now have a very old and worn out futon mattress. And it has to go very soon. I have been out trying different kinds of mattresses, and the ones I like the most are latex mattresses. I had decided to buy one, but then I began hearing about latex allergy. I am quite sure that I dont have latex allergy, but still I am concerned. With regard to latex in mattresses, here is how I understand it:There are people that say that you shouldnt worry about mattresses made out of latex, because people that are allergic to latex are allergic to a protein in latex that is washed out of the latex in the manufacturing process of the mattress. But.... ...we cant be sure of this, apparently. There are studies that show that scientists have been able to extract these allergen proteins out of latex mattresses. And honest sellers of latex mattresses do not advocate latex mattresses to people that have latex allergy. But why if the protein allergens have been washed out ? Well, the sellers themselves say that you cant be 100 percent sure that all the proteins have been washed out. That is why I think that perhaps latex mattresses should be a concern for people that are not allergic. I am concerned that people are at risk of DEVELOPING A LATEX ALLERGY. We hear so much about people working with latex at their jobs DEVELOPING latex allergies. (That a higher percentage of people in this group have latex allergies - up to 10 percent or more) If people working with latex 8 hours a day develop latex allergies because they are so close to it for such an extended period of time, why wouldnt people that sleep close to latex proteins (assuming that there are still some left in the mattress even after being washed severel times) be at risk of developing latex allergy ? I am very interested to hear what your thoughts are on this. I very much want to buy a latex mattress, (I have tried some that fits me very well, that I feel are very comfortable) but am not sure if it is such a good idea in light of what I have just been writing. I hope someone out there can calm my mind, and convince me rationally that it is a good idea to by a latex mattress. Especially since the ones I have tried are exchangeable. Looking forward to some responses Sting |
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Not sure about making you more comfortable but as a former hospital worker who wore latex gloves every day for years and as a breastfeeding consultant who has dealt with a lot of clients with allergy issues - there is a big difference between "sensitivity" and a true allergy.You might have problems if you are already sensitive or allergic. No mattress manufacturer could guarentee you'd have no problems. Kind of like people with peanut allergies - extremely allergic people can't even eat foods that have been exposed to grinders that have been exposed to nuts at some point. People who are sensitive or have milder allergies have to avoid peanuts but don't have to be quite as careful. I am not convinced anyone really knows what causes people to develop sensitivities and allergies in the first place. Lots of theories though. As I understand it, sensitivties and allergies to latex seem to have exploded when health care workers and other people started wearing latex gloves more frequently in response to the AIDS epidemic in the mid to late 1980's. I was working in an Emergency Room back then and remember a dramatic increase in the use of latex gloves for ALL procedures - as opposed to other types of plastic gloves or no gloves at all for simple procedures. I have always wondered if the increased use of gloves and other latex barriers lead to a decrease in the quality of the latex - i.e. more cheap latex with other additives. I have never had any problems with latex but I know plenty of people who are sensitive and avoid direct contact. I have only known of a few people with full blown, life threatening allergy to latex. Latex mattresses have been around for decades and don't seem to be associated with the increase in latex senstivities in the '80's and '90's. If you are really concerned, you could seek out Sealy's all synthetic latex in its SpringFree line - which is fairly new and doesn't have much of a track record and Sealy uses fire retardant chemicals that might be problematic too. Do you currently have latex or other allergy problems that make you think you might have a problem with latex? Personally, I'm a lot more concerned about the fire retardant chemicals used in many mattresses than I am about developing a latex sensitivity. I am very comfortable with the latex cores but looked carefully at the materials used in the mattress covers. You have more direct contact with the mattress cover than the latex itself. We recently moved from futons to Dunlop latex mattresses for the whole family because of the dust mite and other issues with futons. We used futons for years because we didn't like coil spring mattresses and like fairly firm mattresses. Even though we replaced the futons every couple of years, they got compressed and hard pretty quickly. The new latex mattresses feel kind of like a brand new, high quality cotton futon with a bit more bounce. Best wishes in finding a solution you feel comfortable with. |
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FWIW, here's a quote from http://thenaturalsleepstore.com/natural-mattresses.html. IMO, they are using the term allergy in the beginning of the paragraph, but they really mean sensitivity. Of course, this doesn't address your concern about potentially developing a sensitivity or allergy to latex if you don't already have one. You'd have to dig deeper for that. "Natural latex allergy. There are two types of latex allergies. One allergy is to the chemicals and/or synthetic latex used in latex items like latex gloves. Most people have this type of allergy. However, some people do have a true natural latex allergy which is an allergy to the proteins in natural latex. All of the natural latex used in our mattresses are washed to remove the proteins which should eliminate any problems or allergic reactions. However, a very small number of people have reported allergic reactions when in direct contact with the natural latex used in our mattresses (while directly touching the latex). Most people who do have a true latex allergy will have no problem sleeping on a natural latex mattress, because there are layers of organic cotton and wool in between the latex and the outside of the mattress. If you aren't sure what type of latex allergy you have, please contact us for a test piece." |
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Hello again, Thanks to everybody for their responses. I have no reason to think that I have a latex allergy. I have often been in direct contact with latex with no negative effects. I have no allergies in general. No hay fever or anything that I am aware of. What really started my concern of developing a latex allergy was my love of avocado and banana. Let my explain breifly: The responsible allergen in latex is latex protien. And these proteins share structural features within plant proteins found in fruits and vegetables. Studies have shown that there can be cross reactivity between among allergens from foods and latex proteins. So you develop an allergy to latex by exposing yourself to latex and end up not tolerating vegetables and fruits. AND IF THERE IS ONE THING I DONT NEED, IT IS AN INTOLERANCE OF VEGETABLES AND FRUITS. THESE ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT FOOD TYPES FOR ME. That is the situation that I want to avoid. And that is just another factor why buying the right mattress is so important for me. Here is the study that first raised my concern: " Protein and allergen analysis of latex mattresses." A study from july 1999. It is only one page long. http://content.karger.com/ProdukteDB/produkte.asp?Doi=24200 So there are apparently still allergen proteins in natural latex mattresses despite what manufacturers say. Jimsocal:So you are allergic, or at least sensitive to latex at some level. (I dont know what a splint mean. English is not my first language and so I have tried to look it up. Does it mean a peace of wood from hevea brasiliensis ?)Is it a sensitivity to natural or synthetic latex ? Do you know ? I guess that this is important to know. If you are sensitive to natural latex and the mattresses you have experimented with are of synthetic material, then that does not prove that all latex mattresses are safe for all that are allergic to latex. Although I read somewhere that "latex is a contact allergy". The first responder also seems to suggest this. On the other hand I read somewhere that "the routes of exposure includes inhalation of airborne latex proteins." Great. (Being sarcastic) Mattressmom: That latex sensitivity is a contact sensitivity is also what you are suggesting. That may be the reason why the explosion of latex allergies is associated with the explosion of use of latex gloves and not with the use of latex mattresses. Good to know. If we can know it. HOW CAN WE VERIFY THIS STATEMENT ? If it is true it is important. The reason could of course be that there are hardly any proteins left in the mattresses after the manufacturing process. The citation in your last post is saying that latex gloves are made of synthetic latex and this is what does cause problems. That MOST? people have this allergy. I have read elsewhere that latex gloves can also be made of natural latex. But that the problem with gloves is that they are not made of open cell structure so it is not possible to wash away the proteins that causes the allgergic responses. I would go out and buy one of the latex mattresses, that I have tried, tomorrow, if I could be sure that I would not develop a latex allergy along the way . Somethings speak for the view that latex mattresses are safe. Almost all the proteins are probably washed away in the manufacturing process. And the few that are left you dont have direct contact with. All in all the exposure to latex or rather the proteins of latex (which I assume is the way to potentially develop a latex allergy) is perhaps not that great despite being so close to a big mass of latex that a latex mattress constitute. I dont know, it is difficult to determine. Synthetic of natural latex ? Which one should I choose.? Well I guess, if it is the intolerance to fruits and vegetables, that I want to avoid long term, I should go with a synthetic latex mattress. Since it is the allergy of natural proteins found in these foods, that natural latex potentially can develop. Do you think that I understand this correctly? But then again there are thousands of potential problems with mattress materials. Synthetic stuff can create other types of problems. I need to think about this more. If anyone out there have any further responses this will be greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading. Sting |
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I don't think anyone here is qualified to give you an answer. IMO, the risk of developing an allergy to latex from a latex mattress is extremely minimal so I don't worry about it. If you are worried about developing a latex allergy and further allergies to fruits, etc. - that's beyond the scope to this forum. You might want to consult with an allergist I don't think you would have much, if any direct exposure to latex proteins if the latex core is covered with a mattress cover. I am much more comfortable with natural latex and a natural fiber cover than with synthetic chemicals - but that's just my opinion. Jimsocal is talking about a splint which is a brace or heavy bandage on an injured body part. He had a latex splint on his wrist which made the skin itch when he wore it all night. That is a localized irritation or sensitivity due to direct skin contact for a long time - not really an allergy. This message was modified Feb 2, 2008 by mattressmom
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| You should probably be more concerned with the chemicals in standard innerspring mattresses if you're worried about allergies. As Lynn pointed out, you are insulated from the latex by the mattress cover so you aren't actually in contact with it. And since you don't seem to have any sensitivity to latex why obsess on the remote possibility that you might have an allergic reaction to a latex mattress? Forget about it! |
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mattressmom wrote: Personally, I'm a lot more concerned about the fire retardant chemicals used in many mattresses than I am about developing a latex sensitivity.
As far as the studies cited, etc ... you can find a study in favor of/against nearly any topic if you research enough. Real world experience is a more reliable factor if we're talking about real world odds of developing any of the issues you mentioned. |
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Hi Yeah I guess you are all right. Polyurethane is probably more of a realistic irritant. Now I am not concerned about latex anymore. I have found something new to be concerned about. Great. No Now I will try and relax a bit. I have just been in one of those "its dangerous to live" moods. It happens whenever I make changes in my life. Thanks for the input everyone. Sting |
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sting wrote: Hi</p><p>Yeah I guess you are all right. Polyurethane is probably more of a realistic irritant. Now I am not concerned about latex anymore. I have found something new to be concerned about. Great. No Now I will try and relax a bit. I have just been in one of those "its dangerous to live" moods. It happens whenever I make changes in my life. Thanks for the input everyone.</p><p>Sting That's the spirit! Life's too short to sleep on a crummy old futon. I hate to discount people's allergy concerns but I doubt you have anything to fear from latex. |
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Sting: If you want to give latex a try before investing in a mattress, you might purchase a latex pillow ($45 - $60) and see how you do with it. |