Developing a Latex Allergy while using a Latex Mattress?

I have read that Latex Allergies are restricted to individuals who touch the latex directly, not the wool and cotton cover over the mattress. Healthcare providers are at higher risk of developing a latex allergy (because of frequent contact with latex) and I am interested to hear from people who sleep on a latex mattress if they feel it contributed to a latex allergy. Due to orthopedic problems I would prefer to go the latex route, but don’t want to increase my risk of developing a latex allergy.
Thanks for any personal experiences or opinions readers are willing to share.

Hi Scouts mommy,

There is more about latex allergies in post #2 here.

There are different types of latex “allergies” that can be aggravated by frequent contact with the allergen (which usually aren’t the latex proteins themselves) but there is no evidence in any of the literature that I’ve seen (and I’ve read a lot of it) that sleeping on a latex mattress can increase your chances of developing a latex allergy.

Phoenix