Can’t stop sneezing, coughing and blowing your nose? It sounds like you’re suffering from allergies. If you find your allergies getting worse during the night, your mattress could be to blame.
One of memory foam’s many advantages is its ability to stop allergies in their tracks! We explore the best memory foam mattresses for allergy sufferers to help you sleep soundly all night long.
What Causes Allergies?
Allergies can be caused by all manner of things, from food types to dust mites.
Here are some of the common causes of allergies in the home;
- Dust mites (specifically their faecal matter)
- Bed bugs
- Mould or damp
- Pets
- Harsh chemicals
Do I Have Allergies?
Different allergies come with different symptoms depending on the trigger.
However, if you think you may be suffering from allergies, here are a few tell-tale signs to look out for;
- Coughing and sneezing
- Wheezing
- Runny nose
- Itchy eyes
- Watery eyes
- Skin rash
If you think you’re experiencing allergic reactions, it’s best to consult your doctor to determine the cause.
How Allergies Affect Your Sleep
Unsurprisingly, coughing and sneezing all night doesn’t do anything for your sleep.
If you suffer from allergies, you are far more likely to suffer from insomnia and conditions such as sleep apnoea. This disruption can have a big impact on your waking hours, leaving you feeling fatigued and have difficulty concentrating.
What Causes Allergies in Bed?
The main cause of allergies in bed are house dust mites and bed bugs. These are microscopic creatures that survive well in our warm UK homes. Dust mites and bed bugs irritate your allergy and hay fever symptoms, causing sneezing, itching, watery eyes and wheezing during the night – when all you want is some rest and relief!
Is My Mattress Causing Allergies?
Unfortunately, millions of people don’t realise their mattress is making the situation even worse. If your allergy symptoms worsen during the night or upon waking, this could be a sign your mattress is part of the problem.
Certain mattresses are better than others when it comes to allergies...
What Is the Best Mattress for Allergy Sufferers?
Coil or spring mattresses are the least favourable for allergy sufferers, as dust mites enjoy setting up camp in the coil cavities. On a more positive note, there are mattresses which inhibit dust mites and bed bugs – so night time allergy relief isn’t far away.
Here’s the lowdown on different mattress types and what they offer for allergy sufferers;
Innerspring Mattresses
Any mattress which contains springs within its construction can set off dust mite allergies. The innersprings accumulate dust which attract dust mites and even mould. Add dead skin cells into the mix and you’ve got an environment for dust mites to thrive.
Latex Mattress
A natural latex mattress is free from lots of the harsh chemicals used in other types of mattresses. However, some people suffer from a latex allergy that can cause serious skin rashes. Natural latex is also a costly option and therefore not available to everyone.
Memory Foam Mattresses
Memory foam is a naturally hypoallergenic material which inhibits the spread of dust mites and so removes the cause of night time allergy irritation. The dense structure of memory foam deprives dust mites of their favourite breeding ground – the warm and humid cavities around mattress springs.
If cared for properly, a memory foam mattress will provide a clean and hygienic place to sleep for years to come, preventing night time allergy attacks and allowing you to rest easy all year round.
Are all Memory Foam Mattresses Hypoallergenic?
The denser the memory foam, the better it is at blocking out dust mites. So, if you struggle with allergies, a high density memory foam mattress could be for you. This type of foam has the added benefit of providing optimum support for your spine and joints.
Do Mattress Covers Help with Allergies?
Yes. By placing another barrier between your mattress and yourself, you can keep dust mites at bay. Choose a washable cover so you can regularly rid your bed of dust.
Our Coolmax mattress cover even has built-in cooling technology to help you sleep well throughout the summer months!
The Best Mattress for Mould Allergy and Sensitive Skin
To combat mould, choosing a memory foam mattress with breathability is essential. The mattresses in our 4G Aircool range are constructed with open cell technology, allowing for up to 95% more breathability than standard memory foam, keeping you cool and preventing mould growth.
The 100% Eucalyptus cover on the 4G Aicool Pedic Deluxe mattress absorbs moisture and prevents bacteria formation, perfect for sensitive skin.
Here’s what else it offers;
- Washable, removable cover
- Breathable
- Hypoallergenic
- Triple layer design
- Orthopaedic memory foam
- 10-year warranty
How to Create an Allergy-Free Sleeping Environment
In addition to investing in a memory foam mattress, there are some simple actions you can take to ensure an allergy-free sleeping environment – particularly during hay fever season:
Hot Wash Your Bedding (60 degrees) Once A Week
Although dust mites like it warm, they can’t survive in temperatures over 60ºC. Wash your bedding at a high temperature once a week to keep those dust mites at bay.
Use a Washable Mattress Cover
A washable mattress cover creates another layer of protection for your mattress against bacteria and dust mites. All of our memory foam mattresses come with removable mattress covers which can be washed at 40 degrees.
Get the Vacuum Cleaner Out
Regular vacuuming and cleaning helps to curb dust mites in your household furnishings, such as carpets and curtains, so make sure you’ve got one with decent suction.
Don’t Make Your Bed
Don’t make the bed and enjoy a healthy sleep. You heard it right, according to a group of specialists, a messy bedroom could spell the end for creepy crawlies.
Use a Dehumidifier
A dehumidifier is a domestic machine which removes moisture from the air and controls humidity levels in your home. Dust mites and bed bugs thrive in humid environments, so a dehumidifier simply makes your home less hospitable to them.
Air Your House – But Only at Certain Times
Opening the windows and letting in some fresh air several times a week will prevent your home from getting too stuffy, humid and hospitable for dust mites. Bear in mind that peak times for pollen emission are between 5am and 10am so keep your windows firmly closed during those morning hours.
No Pets in the Bedroom
Sleeping with pets is comforting, but dander from their fur can majorly inflame your allergies! Many of us are allergic to pet dander, suffering with red eyes and a runny nose as a result. The easy solution is to ban your pets from the bedroom. After this, you should notice your allergy symptoms have reduced.
Switch Your Pillow
To maximise your sleep, consider memory foam. Pillows are the item closest to your mouth and nose during the night, so a naturally hypoallergenic memory foam pillow can provide much-needed relief for allergy sufferers.
Change Your Mattress!
Your spring mattress could be worsening your allergy symptoms during the night by providing dust mite and bed bugs with the humid conditions they need to thrive. Buying a memory foam mattress is a guaranteed improvement, owing to the natural hypoallergenic qualities of memory foam.
All allergy sufferers can breathe a sigh of relief – there are ways to ease your night time symptoms. If you have any more questions about our hypoallergenic mattresses or want some help deciding which mattress is best for you, check out our online mattress guide.
It’s time to take back control of your sleep! Browse our hypoallergenic memory foam mattresses to get started.