My reason for suggesting the impermeable plastic was that it would more definitively determine whether the problem was the mattress or something else like bedding. Since you already own the mattress permeable encasement, it does seem worth trying. If it solves the problem you may not know the exact reasons but the problem is solved.
If it does not solve the problem, I am not actually sure you know whether the problem is particulate matter or VOCs. The website you indicated does not specifically state that it blocks all particles or blocks all particles down to some micron size. Rather it uses vague meaningless statements like "specifically designed for full bed bug, fluid and dust mite protection. Their mattress encasements might be great but I simply donāt know enough about their construction.
You are right that I was not suggesting using an impermeable plastic encasement over the long term (simply for testing). However, if you have a latex or latex chemical allergy, whether you could use it over the long term seems like more of a personal preference issue. You would have moisture, encasement tearing, and possibly noise issues. However, only you can determine if those are undesirable enough to get a different mattress.
If you doctor determines you have a latex or a chemical allergy, a breathable encasement still might work. It might be able to block the latex particles. Also if you are allergic to chemicals they might be bound in the latex and incapable of off gassing. If this was the case, blocking particles could be effective against chemicals as well. Be sure to talk to your doctor about this. I am concerned that a breathable encasement could reduce latex particles to the point that it does not produce a reaction. However the very low level exposure might increase your sensitization over time. On the other hand I have heard of doctors treating peanut allergies with very low level exposure. This is definitely a question for a doctor.
If it is chemical rather than latex that are the problem you might be OK with a different latex mattress. Manufacturers seem to use proprietary methods to make their mattresses so a different manufacturer or a different type (talalay vs. dunlop, blended vs. all natural) might not have the same chemicals in it. Unfortunately I do not know how you would determine this without buying the mattress. Maybe some companies would send you a small piece to test your allergy on.
If it is a latex allergy then a completely synthetic latex mattress is an option. Although I have heard they are of inferior quality.
If we determine that I have a ātrueā latex allergy, we will be getting rid of the mattress. And we will replace it with one that is 100% latex-free.
I had numerous samples sent. I never noticed ANY reaction to 100% natural dunlop. I slept with it and I even sniffed samples while in an enclosed bag. The natural Talalay did bother me, however. So we elected to avoid it completely. I really thought I had done enough homework, but now Iām having my doubts.
My husbandās suggestion is that I stay out of our bedroom for three days. Pack up my stuff and sleep elsewhere. Then, if I get better Iāll go back into our bedroom. If I donāt get better, weāll suspect something else (food, dust, humidity). If I get better and the symptoms return after I go back into our bedroom, we will get rid of the bed. Itās simply not worth the health risk.
I think (but canāt say for sure) that 3 days would be enough. Note that this would not prove the mattress is the culprit, simply something in your bedroom. If the mattress is the only addition to your bedroom since the symptoms began then it is probably the mattress.
I considered this issue as I do have a latex allergy ā and ended up buying a latex mattress. Have had no problems (well, not with allergies). I think the risk would be very very low.
I think that this points to the strong likelihood that you arenāt dealing with a type I allergy (or you would have reacted to anything that had natural latex in it).
Sleeping with your wool mattress pad apart from the latex mattress is a good idea. I would recommend washing it thoroughly to try and get rid of latex particles that might be in it. Be sure not to use your steroid nasal spray while conducting your test. I, and I imagine others on the forum, would be curious to know the results of both the sleeping in another room test and the results of the lab test order by your doctor.
The wool mattress topper from St Peterās isnāt washable. At least not without compromising itās loft. I am hanging it outside in the sun right now. Since Iām pretty sure that itās not the offending item, I am willing to risk sleeping with it tonight.
My doctor just ordered the labs. I am waiting for him to respond to my question about skin testing. I believe that this is only done by a specialist? Besides, how would they know what chemicals to test me for? (As in Latex Greenās recipe.)
Hey, do you think I could contact Latex Green???
I think Phoenix made a compelling point that it is unlikely to be a true Type I allergy, since the dunlop samples didnāt evoke a noticeable response. Weāll see what the labs say. Apparently they arenāt very sensitive or specific, so may get a false positive or a false negative.
Update: hereās my doctorās response to my request for a skin test:
Letās see what the latex blood test shows first. If we are worried about other additives or allergens, skin testing is a possibility but we would send you to the allergist to discuss. Latex should off-gas less than other mattresses (at least that is my impression) because it is a more natural substance.
You can try to get the info from Latex Green but it will probably be difficult. My experience is that Latex manufactures do not want to talk to consumers, only mattress manufacturers. Also, they seem to hide information about how their mattresses are made considering that a trade secret. Finally although they know the ingredients they use they may not know what is in the final product. Many chemical reactions occur in the manufacturing that alter the chemicals. Also many of the chemicals simply facilitate the manufacturing and never become part of the final product. I imagine Phoenix would know more about this subject and how to get info on the composition of a latex mattress that I do.
The test for a type I latex allergy is generally done as a blood test because a skin test can sometimes lead to an unexpected reaction. Once the type 1 allergy is ruled out with a blood test then there is a standardized skin test done for a rubber additive series of chemicals that are used in rubber (these are not specific to any particular manufacturer but cover the generic range of chemicals used). The ones that cause type IV allergies are generally the accelerants or the antioxidants used. These are generally only an issue with dipped latex products such as condoms, balloons, rubber gloves or other similar products where there is direct contact or with products such as gloves that are powdered and the powder (such as cornstarch) containing latex particles can become airborne. Because there is no contact with the latex in a mattress and most of the residual chemicals (and surface proteins) are washed out in the production of foamed latex (unlike most dipped latex products) the only time these would likely be an issue would be with dust particles in the air from either latex that was cut and still has some residual dust from the cutting or a uncovered latex mattress.
I doubt this would be necessary because the blood test would rule out the type I allergy and the skin tests for latex additives would cover the chemicals they use generically. Itās unlikely that they (or any company) would provide the specifics of their compounding formula as this is closely guarded proprietary information.
As youāve discovered ā¦ the testing usually done by a lab or specialist.
Iām looking forward to hearing about the results of your test ā¦ and Iāll have my fingers crossed for you that you arenāt one of the rare few that has a type I allergy ā¦ not just because of the mattress but because it can also involve some lifestyle changes or increased vigilance in avoiding any type of natural latex.
If my own personal test (sleeping in the living room for three days and then returning to our latex mattress) points to a mattress reaction, we will probably get rid of it.
I found some information about the test on this website: ADMIN NOTE:Removed 404 page link | Archived Footprint: ccjm.org/content/78/9/585.full
Specifically: In general, the sensitivity of these tests ranges from 60% to 95% and their specificity from 30% to 95%, with a concordance among different immunoassays of 75% to 90%.8
Last night I slept with our wool topper (In the living room). I have been more congested today. Possibly the wool topper itself, or the fact that I didnāt wash it after removing it from latex mattress.
OR Iām allergic to something completely different?!?
The research goes onā¦Iāve removed the topper and Iāll sleep in the living room again tonight~ :silly:
After sleeping in an alternate bed for three days, I decided to give our latex mattress another try. I slept on it Friday night. When I woke up, I noticed no symptoms other than a sore throat.
I got excited about the possibility of my allergies NOT being related to our mattress. We decided to open our giant SleepEZ box that contained our 3" natural dunlop topper and organic cotton/wool mattress cover~it arrived last week. (We had been waiting to see our ātestā results, since it is returnable and more easily done if unopened).
After about 15 minutes of moving latex and attempting to get it into our new cover, we took a break to call SleepEZ for suggestions and have lunch.
Then I became suddenly very ill. My symptoms were chest tightness, shortness of breath, dizziness, & nausea, followed by tingling and trembling. We went to the ER. They monitored my vitals and did an EKG. They attempted to do a lab work-up, but were unable to get a sample. All findings were NORMAL. Doctor said that while he couldnāt diagnose an allergic reaction, he couldnāt rule it out either. We left after about 2 hours.
Needless to say, we will be getting rid of the latex this week. It is ācontainedā on our second floor and I will stay on the first floor until it is removed and the house is thoroughly cleaned. I certainly donāt want to repeat what happened yesterday.
I will also follow-up with my primary doctor tomorrow and see if he recommends any further testing. Or perhaps an EpiPen.
Iām sorry to hear about your experience ā¦ that kind of stuff isnāt fun at all.
Did you get the results of your latex allergy test back?
If you do have a type I allergy it would be important to know it IMO and an epi pen may be a very good idea because latex is so common in our society (of course all of this is subject to your doctors guidance).
Thank you for your sympathy. It wasnāt fun. But today I am HAPPY to be alive :cheer: Although, according to the ER, it wasnāt life-threatening, it sure was scary!
I am expecting the lab results sometime this week. Perhaps a little longer due to the holiday. I read that the sensitivity of the test is 60-95%, which means that it could yield up to 40% false negatives. The specificity is reported to range from 30-95%, so even greater chance of false positive result. Iām just not sure weāll get a result that we can hang our hat onā¦ :dry:
Hereās the link that Iām referencing: ADMIN NOTE:Removed 404 page link | Archived Footprint: ccjm.org/content/78/9/585.full
I will certainly have a lengthy discussion with my doctor this week~
Iād certainly defer to your doctor, but have you investigated a wool allergy also? From reading your posts, it seems wool has also been a common factor.
