For many allergy sufferers, certain types of natural bedding materials can cause or exacerbate allergic and asthmatic reactions.
For many allergy sufferers, certain types of natural bedding materials can cause or exacerbate allergic and asthmatic reactions. Goose down and latex are the two most well-known allergens in bedding materials, and millions around the world suffer from allergies related to down or latex. And though other types of bedding are not allergenic in and of themselves, they can trap and hold allergens. All this leads to your bed being a source of irritation as opposed to a source of rest and comfort. For many, a common alternative has been the use of memory foam as bedding.
Unlike latex, memory foam generally is a more hypoallergenic type of bedding material. There are no feathers or naturally occurring allergens in memory foam. It is also a dust mite resistant bedding material, so it’s less likely to contribute to an allergy problem as times passes.
With pillows, memory foam is often a better option for a few reasons. First, they are easily contoured to more closely match the natural contours of your head and neck. So they can offer better support where a sleeper needs it most without creating pressure points on your joints. Secondly, foam pillows won’t bunch or ball up. They keep their shape and offer consistent density and support throughout the pillow.
Because of the physical composition of memory foam, they make poor homes for dust mites and are nearly impossible for dust mite to live in. While dust mites may eventually penetrate a memory foam pillow, they are generally less accessible than polyester or down filled pillow.
Since memory foam is not machine washable, most types have a cover to help keep the foam clean. The covers can range from a basic cotton to polyester microfiber to even barrier fabrics that keep allergens like dust mites, pollen, and pet dander out of the memory foam. Though not imperative, a washable cover of some sort is always preferable over a foam pillow without one.
There are only two known concerns with memory foam. First, because memory foam is a synthetic type of bedding, it can sometimes off-gas. This varies by type, but upon initially receiving any memory foam product, there is almost always some type of odor. After airing out for twenty-four hours, the vast majority of memory foam pillows and mattress toppers lose most, if not all, of any odor they may have had.
Secondly, memory foam is somewhat temperature sensitive. In cooler or cold temperatures, the foam tends to firm up, and for “hot sleepers” memory foam products can sometimes lead to warm sleeping conditions. Since most homes are fairly well maintained in terms of climate control, these two issues typically are not problems for most people.
Though memory foam mattresses, mattress pads and pillows may not be ideal for everyone, they provide a unique alternative to traditional fabrics. Not only do they offer support and comfort, but for a wide variety of allergy sufferers, they can be an excellent solution to dust mites and other allergens in bedding.
Resources:
Kurt Hardesty is the author of this article on memory foam pillows. Find more information, about memory foam mattress pad here.
Sponsored Links
Author: Robards. Julie.
This author has published 1 articles so far. More info about the author is coming soon.