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Since there have been other threads about allergies to latex, I'll get right to the point. I've tested nonreactive to latex in allergy panels, and never had any problems in any of the stores when I was shopping, such as Savvy Rest. So when it came time to buy, we bought a non-returnable 100% natural rubber latex foam bed at the nearest dealer -- a store about 2 hours away. It has an organic cotton and wool cover, and was rather pricey, but certainly competitive with internet prices for similar products. I rate it high for comfort. However, as soon as the bed came into the house in late October I started getting sick. By early November, I got a cold/sinus infection that lasted nearly 2 months. My doctor thought the problem could be mold, and after checking that out thoroughly with numerous medical expenses, I gave away porous possessions, threw out papers and books, etc. and started to improve. But every morning I awakened with a sinus headache and congestion. I wasn't willing to throw out the bed, as my house had never had a major mold problem (just a few spots in the basement) and the bed was new. So we did the following experiment. After determining that I could sleep without symptoms on some 1970's foam cushions on the kitchen floor, last night we took the latex pads out of the cover and put them on the kitchen floor underneath a clean cotton sleep. I woke up significantly worse than I've ever been. My husband, who is not chemically sensitive, said that the latex foam had a strong odor when he took it out on the porch to air it in the sun. So, if natrual rubber latex is supposed to be
what am I reacting to? Any way I could find out whether it is some kind of preservative or chemical used in the processing, or some contaminant from storage in the warehouse? Just in case I developed a latex allergy from continuous exposure for the last 8 months, I was retested today with RAST for IgG and IgM reactions to latex. Meanwhile, is there any market for a very clean, slightly used natural rubber latex bed and if so, how would I find it? Or do you think I could make a case for returning the bed? JanisB
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weewillywinky wrote: It sounds like you may well have developed a latex allergy. Your message sounds like you are doing your research and finding out about that. In case you're looking for more information, you might check out this site which has a lot of information. http://www.latexallergyresources.org/resourcemanual/section4/latex_allergy_everyone.cfm If I were you, I would explain the situation to the store and to the manufacturer and see whether either one of them will take it back. You didn't mention which brand you bought, but with the description you've given, I'd assume they are selling it as a "healthy" brand of bed. This could be addressed under a theory of implied warranty if the store or manufacturer does not make an express warranty that the product is suited for the purpose for which it was sold. The manufacturer in particular may have insurance coverage to cover liability claims for triggering latex allergies, or they should if they don't. If neither company is willing to work with you to resolve this problem, then you could probably find an attorney willing to help you get the purchase money back and the costs of having the mattress removed from your environment. This could be handled in small claims court if you get an attorney experienced with latex allergy claims, or possibly resolved through an out-of-court settlement with the manufacturer and/or the store. Good luck with it. It is important for people to learn about these hidden risks of latex and other substances that can indeed pose serious health problems for some individuals. Thank you for sharing your experience with this forum. Good resource. Thanks. They point out that people with Type IV sensitivity reactions -- which it probably what I have -- are often sensitive to a long list of chemicals used in the processing of latex. The estimate on that site was 7-14% of the population! If this is indeed the case, then companies should not promote 100% natural rubber latex as a product that is safe for the environment, free of offgassing, and healthy for people. I got the bed from designsleep.com, located about 2 hours from me. JanisB |
I just wanted to add that I found out on another site that my problem is most likely from outgassing. Here is what a man wrote to owns a business that helps people with clean indoor air and healthy habitats:
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| Hi Janis - now I'm really getting confused. There seems to be no question you're dealing with a chemical sensitivity of some sort with that mattress. But what exaclty? It will be helpful for you to get the allergy test results back, definitely. I did a little more checking around about latex allergies. Most of the sites on latex allergy say it is due to proteins in the latex (which some say they use processes to remove). But other sites say that allergy sensitivities are triggered only by synthetic latex. And then other sites say that you should use synthetic latex if you are allergic to latex. It looks to me like there is a lot of confusion out there. It may be that different people have allergic reactions to different things. At any rate, there is no clearcut information out there, or if there is, it's mixed in with a lot of misleading information. I hope you are able to find a good solution. |
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Another thought besides those you, Contractor and others have made - could it possibly be a reaction to the flame retardant used? Latex is highly flammable, and maybe it got doused too heavily, or maybe you are just sensitive to whatever chemical was used. Some of those flame retardants do indeed make some people sick, and it appears most of them are y hazardous to human health. Obviously Congress considered it a greater risk that we all might go up in flames from that occasional housefire than that lying surrounded by hazardous chemicals night after night might cause a health risk. Or then again, maybe they got lobbied by the ehemicals manufacturers. That makes more sense, and knowing how things go, I bet that played a part. That is one reason I want to move towards wool. The last mattress I bought, back in the age of dinosaurs, was before the new frlame retardant laws were passed. Yeah, those were the good old days, when innerspring mattresses lasted, they weren't wrapped in loads of foam that breaks down in a year or two, and they weren't enveloped in toxic chemicals. Anyway, I suggest you might want to check with the seller as to what flame retardant was used, if you don't know, if you aren't able to pinpoint thte source of your irritation, so that hopefully you can avoid it in any future purchase. I too would be interested in more from Contractor about what he is referring to. We have to keep our eyes open these days, do we not? The real kicker with bad mattresses is how difficult it is to find out if they will work for you, how hard it is to return or replace them, how huge they are to move and how hard they are hard to dispose of, plus the significant expense involved. That's why this forum is really making me think we need a consumer protection law that REQUIRES mattress manufacturers to be much more explicit about EXACTLY what is used in their mattresses, and how they are constructed. This message was modified Jun 30, 2011 by a moderator
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JanisB wrote:
I just wanted to add that I found out on another site that my problem is most likely from outgassing. Here is what a man wrote to owns a business that helps people with clean indoor air and healthy habitats:
Edit: Sorry I did not see before that you mentioned designsleep.com as the company you purchased from. This message was modified Jun 19, 2011 by budgy
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JanisB wrote:
Good resource. Thanks. They point out that people with Type IV sensitivity reactions -- which it probably what I have -- are often sensitive to a long list of chemicals used in the processing of latex. The estimate on that site was 7-14% of the population! If this is indeed the case, then companies should not promote 100% natural rubber latex as a product that is safe for the environment, free of offgassing, and healthy for people. I got the bed from designsleep.com, located about 2 hours from me. JanisB |
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budgy wrote: Great to hear from you, Budgy, on this point! Could you please explain a little more fully for us novices why you think the affected percentage of people would be a whole order of magnitude lower with latex mattresses than latex gloves? Thanks! |
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Mostly because the majority of latex gloves are 'powdered' which release latex dust particles into the air which increases sensitivity to the allergy because you are essentially inhaling the protein directly. There are other chemicals used in processing gloves which are not used in processing natural rubber foam which are what usually cause the skin irritation in sensitive individuals. This is precisely why some individuals that are in the medical field that have developed major skin sensitivity to latex gloves can usually handle raw rubber foam or even liquid hevea milk and not have the same dermatological issues. The real natural rubber allergy is when people develop breathing problems, and potential anaphylactic conditions. This sounds like what 'might' be happening to the OP...this is not because of chemicals in the latex, or off-gassing, this is because of the protein itself. Not saying it isn't bad but we need to be factual about what may be causing the issue...life isn't fair :( "Type I (Immediate) Hypersensitivity. This is an IgE antibody mediated reaction to some of the protein antigen inherent in the latex. These reactions typically cause urticaria, angioedema, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, bronchospasm, asthma and, rarely, anaphylaxis. Affected persons must eliminate latex exposure altogether.(6) Although the amount of exposure needed to cause sensitization or symptoms is not known, exposures at even very low levels can trigger allergic reactions in some sensitized individuals. A common factor in anaphylactic episodes is exposure of mucosal tissues to latex--a situation inherent in dentistry.(7) The potential for a life-threatening anaphylactic reaction underscores the importance of recognizing Type I immediate reactions. " On the chart this is listed as less than 1% of general population. The chart says 7~18% of general population can react to type IV 'sensitivities' which is caused by the chemicals used in processing gloves. Continued exposure to this overtime has the potential of leading to a real rubber allergy particularly when powdered gloves are being used as they increase sensitivity overtime. "Type IV (Delayed) Hypersensitivity. Allergic Contact (Chemical Sensitivity) Dermatitis results from exposure to chemicals added to latex during harvesting, processing or manufacturing. Latex glove products utilize coagulants, accelerators, antioxidants, emulsifiers, stabilizers, extenders, colorants, stiffeners, biocides, fragrances, etc.(4) These chemicals can cause skin reactions similar to those caused by poison ivy. As with poison ivy, the rash usually begins 24 to 48 hours after contact, and may progress to oozing skin blisters or may spread away from the area of skin touched by the latex. This contact urticaria may represent a transitional stage in a progression between contact dermatitis and immediate hypersensitivity. Some patients initially develop delayed-type contact dermatitis, then urticaria, and finally (months to years later) systemic immediate hypersensitivity.(5) " |
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Well, from what i've read, most "powdered" latex gloves are powdered with cornstarch. So I do not see how this could or would increase the release of latex dust particles.... Thank you, though, Budgy! Your posts are always informative and you are a tremendous asset to this forum. We are interested in the truth here, indeed! |
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weewillywinky wrote: Well, from what i've read, most "powdered" latex gloves are powdered with cornstarch. So I do not see how this could or would increase the release of latex dust particles....
Thank you, though, Budgy! Your posts are always informative and you are a tremendous asset to this forum. We are interested in the truth here, indeed! |