If you are sleeping on a natural latex mattress, you should find out whether you are suffering from any kind of allergy. As per reports, 8 to 12% of healthcare workers suffer from one form of latex sensitivity. Before purchasing a latex mattress, you should be concerned about the properties of the mattress.
In fact, there are thousands of consumer products which are prepared with latex or rubber. Some of the common products include balloons, rubber toys, water bottles, waistbands, erasers, condoms, diapers, carpets, swim goggles, syringes, surgical masks and respirators.
Latex mattress allergy symptoms upon exposure
There are certain latex mattress allergy symptoms for which you should have concern. They include hives (welts), swelling, runny nose, sneezing, headache, reddened eyes, sore throat, abdominal cramps, chest tightness, wheezing and shortness of breath.
If there is reaction, you can find dry, itchy and irritated areas on the skin. In most of the cases, the irritation can be found on hands. Health workers who use latex gloves are subject to allergic reaction. The susceptibility is very high in people who use medical supplies that are made with latex.
The severity varies and the symptoms include dryness, burning, itching, scaling, cramps, rapid heartbeat, tremors, chest pain, difficulty breathing, low blood pressure and potential death.
How to prevent latex mattress allergy symptoms ?
As per reports, 1% of American population is affected by latex allergy. The incidence is higher in healthcare workers. As many people in healthcare wear latex gloves, the risk to allergy is very high. These gloves are made up of synthetic and natural rubber. They are required to wear these gloves for hours. Hence, the risk to allergic reaction will be high.
You should take steps to prevent latex mattress allergy. By reducing the exposure, there will not be any allergic symptoms. You should figure out the latex products and they should be replaced with alternatives.
If you are required to use latex products as part of your job, you should discuss the issue with your employer so that alternatives will be used. You should information about the latex allergy to your healthcare professionals. If your children are allergic, you should inform to child care workers and teachers at educational institutions.
There are gloves without latex. They can be worn for dishwashing and to perform other kinds of jobs. The inhalation of latex at workplace should be avoided. You can wear medical alert bracelet so that others will identify that you are allergic to latex. You should be aware of products that are labeled as ‘hypoallergenic’.
You should understand the fact that this kind of labeling indicates that products are made with less number of chemicals. However, they are not completely free from chemicals. Hence, they should be used cautiously.
Dealing with latex mattress allergy symptoms
If a product is made with cold dipped latex, there will be allergic reaction. In this process, the proteins are not removed which lead to latex reactions. You can identify cold dipped latex products through their stretching property. Some products in this category include gloves, balloons and condoms.
Most of the allergy causing elements is removed when the latex foam goes through a five stage washer. As the cellular structure is open, it will act like a sponge and water will be pulled into every void part. In this process, allergy causing proteins will be removed.
When a natural latex present in a mattress is vulcanized it will remove remaining allergens in a very efficient manner. The mattress can be used by wearing a cotton cover so that there will not be any latex mattress allergy.
Conclusion
If you have any symptoms that are related to latex allergy, you should check with the doctor so that you will get best advice. The risk factors can be discussed before purchasing a latex mattress so that there will not be any waste of money and the health risk can be avoided prominently.
If you can avoid direct contact with latex, allergic reaction can be avoided in most of the cases. However, in most of the case, latex mattresses are safe. Some might suffer from localized skin reactions. There might be minor respiratory issues. If there are recurring issues, you are advised to avoid the product and doctor’s advice should be heeded.
