Hi holemania,
Thanks for the update on your set up.
While you may have not had an issue in the past, increased airflow may assist you in your current situation. Since the bottom of your platform bed is much like a solid surface, you may wish to consider something like a coir bed rug under any mattress in the future. This will assist with airflow.
[quote]Only sleep in boxers - no issue there.
Room Temp - usually around 72-73 degrees - but no issues before the BME mattress.[/quote]
Everyone has a room temperature that they enjoy, but most sleep ergonomic research will point toward a temperature in the mid-60 degree range as optimal (there are slight variations based upon certain studies). Making your room slightly cooler may be assistive as well.
[quote]100% Cotton Percale sheets - no issue when used on other mattresses.
I tried a Restful Nights® Mattress Pad last night from Costco - pretty thick, quilted mattress protector and it seemed to help a lot.[/quote]
Having the polyester fiber fill could certainly be allowing for a bit more air circulation. It’s good that you’re experiencing some positive results with this product.
A skin reaction would usually be a result of contact with the foam layers (assuming you had a specific type of latex allergy, which is unlikely), but since you’re not in contact with the foam that wouldn’t be an issue. The foams used on your mattress are tested and certified for low VOCs (Oeko-Tex and CertiPUR-US), so those would generally be minimal, but there certainly could be a mild sensitivity that you could be having to something, like people with Multiple Chemical Sensitivities. As with any new mattress, these odors (which are not necessarily VOCs, and vice versa), should dissipate quite quickly, so if you are having a mild issue hopefully it will resolve itself.
I’m hoping you have continued good forward progress.
Phoenix