The Mattress Expert

Allergies on a Tempurpedic Mattress

Charles of Patchogue, writes:
I have had my Tempurpedic now for 4 months. It is extremely comfortable. The problem is I think I may be allergic to it. Every night my sinus clog and my throat closes. I usually have to get up walk around before going back to bed. I've never been allergic to anything before, except onions - but that can't have anything to do with this. I keep hoping my body will get used to it because I love the bed's comfort. Any suggestions besides go buy a new bed? Thanks.

Hi Charles. You might try a zipper on encasement for your mattress. It's like a mattress pad, but fits around the entire mattress. I'm sure you can find one that will contain the allergens to some degree. Bed Sack is a brand that leaps to mind, but there are

others.

www.ccmattress.com

Sneezing with any mattress but an Aero Bed

Curban00, writes:
I have the same problem as one of your other posters - Heidi. Every morning I wake up and sneeze like crazy for a couple of hours. Then it goes away. I went to an allergist and they said I wasn't allergic to anything. I've changed houses (two apts and a house), I've changed beds (twice), I've changed detergents, sheets, etc. I have an allergy casing/cover for my bed and I have the allergy pillows. And I have the same problem on any bed I sleep on (hotels, family's houses, etc.) And yes I've changed sleeping positions (with lots of pillows, with no pillows, etc.)  Basically I've tried everything I can think of to narrow down what's causing my sneezing. Interestingly enough I slept on an air mattress at a beach house a couple weeks ago and realized I didn't sneeze in the morning for three days straight. Right now I'm trying out a friends Aero bed and this morning... no sneezing! I'm going to keep trying it over the weekend. Anyway, if this works it looks like I'll be looking  into buying a Sleep comfort or some type of air mattress.  Know of any common material that is in most regular beds but not in air mattresses that could be causing allergies?

The Aero Bed is an inflatable bag and nothing more. The Sleep Number Bed has all the same paddings used in other mattresses, so there's no reason to think that your sneezing will imprpve with that. If the Aero Bed works for you, why not just buy that?

www.ccmattress.com

Chemically sensitive to the glue in mattresses

Ron of calgary, writes:
Peter, given that two or more layers of latex usually are glued together and most do not use a specific non toxic glue to do that ( i wonder if Beachside and Rivercrest both have glued layers - i was also looking at a S&F with core dunlop and top talalay) and also the other carcigenic factor of Fireretardent (also voc's) , how does a Fibromyalgic - chemically sensitive person avoid this? (please correct my assumptions if incorrect). Also i cannot see logically that a side (some stomach) sleeper would benefit from an adjustable bed even if have osteoarthritis of low back? Could you expand on that - is not the adjustable bed only beneficial for back sleepers? thanks.

Hi Ron. No. I have an adjustable bed and use it quite effectively, eventhough I am a side/stomach sleeper. When you think of an adjustable bed, you tend to think of what it looks like in the ads...with people nearly sitting up to read or watch tv. The real value is in the slight adjustments. A very slight raising of the head and/or feet is the real benefit, as it relieves the pressure just enough. As for the glue, I've had people complain to me about the glue that's in their Tempurpedic, but never had a complaint about a Sealy. The flame guard compliance is achieved with a special fabric that will melt if exposed to flame. It isn't chemically treated with boric acid, as is commonly used in other brands. Being chemically sensitive, I have no way of knowing what you will or will not react to. I can only tell you that it isn't a general problem.

www.ccmattress.com

Allergic to Tempurpedic mattress

Lori of Lowry, Minnesota, writes:
We recently purchased a Tempurpedic Rhapsody bed. While we love the feel, I have found that I am allergic to the fumes given off by the bed. It is made with a petroleum based product to which I'm allergic - hives, itching, swollen eyes, raised heartbeat - not much fun! I had the same allergy a few years ago to a petroleum based stain for our deck, so am familiar with the problem. I eliminated everything else that we may have changed recently, just in case. The store where we bought the bed has been very obliging, but we're trying to determine what bed - especially Sealy - that may be similar to the Tempurpedic, but not have the same problems. Any suggestion?

Hi Lori. Everything has some sort of petrolium product. Since you know you're sensitive to memory foam, go with latex. We sell tons of Sealy SpringFree latex mattresses and almost never have a service problem...and have never had one like yours.

www.ccmattress.com

Itchy on my new mattress pad.

Michele of London, writes:
I have a ten year old mattress but have never had any skin problems.  I bought a "sensitive skin" mite prevention cover for it for 50 dollars , and after that all the areas of my skin not covered by pajamas went crazy. I have a violent rash. Did shaking the old mattress stir up the dust mites or are some people allergic to these kind of covers? I put a sheet over the cover and have not changed my detergent. I bought a new duvet but that was also covered.  Are there chemicals in the mattress cover?
Thanks, yours itchily

Hi Michele. It''s the chemicals that does it. You're better off with a simple, breatheable cotton mattress pad.

www.ccmattress.com

A rash with a Dormia mattress

Amy of newport beach, writes:
Hi, My husband and I have been sleeping on a Dormia mattress for almost a year and love it.  He, unfortunately, has developed a rash that we can only attribute to where his body touches the mattress.  We have changed all of the bedding from down to synthetic and nothing has improved.  When he sleeps elsewhere it goes away.  Today I purchased a hypo-allergenic mattress cover that I'm hoping will help.  I am unsure, though, as to how it will contain the emissions of the mattress.  Do you know of any other cover or something else that will help?  We love the mattress and really want to keep it, but this rash is getting to be too much.  He has always had more sensitive skin, but hasn't had this type of reaction.
Thank you in advance for your help. Amy

Hi Amy. There are plastic covers that totally encase the mattress. Of course, you'll be trading one problem for another, as this will tend to make you sleep warmer...perhaps too warm. Switching to a detergent that if free of dyes and fragrances may help, as well.

www.ccmattress.com

glue smell from a Dunlop mattress

Babita of Singapore, writes:
I saw an earlier posting by someone who had experienced a very strong glue like smell coming from their new mattress.
We received a Lady Americana Majesty mattress last week that had an extremely strong chemical smell similar to strong glue.  We complained to Dunlop Singapore, who are the local distributors of the mattress but they did not attend our house to inspect it for a week because of national holidays in Singapore. 
Meanwhile we aired the room constantly and sprayed a lot of Febreze onto it.  By the time Dunlop finally did inspect the mattress the smell had mainly disappeared but we can still smell it slightly and it causes us headaches when we have tried to lie down on it.  Do you have any reference material that we can access regarding improper curing of mattresses or the glue that is used within the mattress to bind the memory foam to polyfoam? 
Dunlop have not agreed, at this point, to replace the mattress and keep telling us that they cannot smell anything.  They have now attended our house twice to review the mattress.  The retailer who sold us the mattress informed us that the Dunlop representative who attended our house the first time told him that the mattress was fine to sleep on.  I am particularly concerned about this as I have a newborn baby who will be sleeping on the bed.

Hi Babita. For most people, the chemicals and glues are not a problem. Only those who are more sensitive are noticeably affected by them. If it were me, experiencing this, I'd get a zipper on cover for the mattress, which acts as a shield between you and the materials inside.

www.ccmattress.com

Will - Allergic reaction to a Sealy SpringFree mattress

Will writes:
Hi,
I have had the same response to my Sealy Spring Free Matress.  I called Sealy and as expected the customer care representative told me that it was my problem.  He use the analogy that is he was allergic to peanut butter it was his problem, not the manufacturers.  I replied, well if the peanut butter manufacturer made a couple faulty cans and sold them, it would be their fault, not the consumer's.  Anyway, dumb analogy, but indicative of the type of support and consumer care this mattress company provides.  They sell toxic mattresses and then shut you down when you ask about a replacement or a refund.
I have had severe sinus problems, horrible sleeps, and terrible allergies ever since buying this mattress.  It cost a lot of money and I am a very upset consumer.  I have NEVER had allergies.  I am concerned about the exposure to these toxic chemicals. 
What can I do?  Is there any way to recoup my investment?  Is there any group of people who are having similar problems that are taking action against this company?  Please advise.
thank you.

Hello Will. I'm sorry to hear you're having this problem....although I can't imagine why. This store alone has sold tons of the Sealy SpringFree mattresses and this is the 1st time I've heard anyone complain about allergies associated with them.
Even though this complaint is rare, I'm sure it's not out of the realm of possibility. I remember a customer from many years ago who was ultra sensitive to the poly foam that's in so many products around the house. So much so, that she couldn't own an upholstered sofa or have carpeting. Then, as now, poly foam is used in almost every mattress.
Given the rarity of your complaint, I would ask you to consider other changes you may have made when you got your mattress as possible sources of your allergic reaction...such as a new mattress pad, new linens, or even a different laundry detergent.
If it is, as you say, the mattress you're allergic to...it isn't the responsibility of the manufacturer. Their responsibility is to make a product that is free from defects. And as far as that is concerned, Sealy's service department is better than any other.
As a retailer, if a customer came to me with this problem within a reasonable amount of time from the date of delivery, I'd be inclined to offer an exchange under the terms of a comfort guarantee.
While the circumstances are unfortunate, it isn't anyone else's responsibility. However, most retailers would not want a customer to suffer and would make an effort to help.
Did you try asking your retailer for help?
The key here is in the asking...not demanding

www.ccmattress.com

My mattress is playing havoc with my allergies.

Tracy of Longmont, writes:
Hi there. My husband and I bought a new mattress about a month ago (the Durango from Denver Mattress) and ever since then I've had a bad time with my allergies. The fumes were horrible at first, but although they've died down, I still feel itchy, have stuffed-up sinuses, and am just beat from what feels like my body trying to keep up with whatever I'm reacting to. The mattress store said they'll take it back if need be, but I worry that the same thing will happen again if I switch. How can I tell what I'm reacting to and what can I do about it?  (Beyond taking Benadryl all the time!)
Thanks so much, Tracy

Hi Tracy, Poly foams are bought buy mattress factories, from the foam manufacturers. When made, the foam is treated with a flame retardent chemical. The process includes "curing". If the foam isn't cured properly, the smell from the chemical gets trapped in the little air pockets of the foam. When this happens, the entire roll of foam is affected. It could be shipped to any mattress manufacturer. This kind of thing happens from time to time and it can happen with every brand of mattress. Some people are more sensitive to this chemical odor than others. It may take a day or two for a factory to go through a roll. Every mattress made will be affected. A store might order several sets for stock. So, make sure that you have your replacement freshly made and not taken from stock. Thus, the chances of getting a second one like it is remote.
Everything that has poly foam will have a slight odor that usually disapates quickly. 

www.ccmattress.com

Allergic to polyurethane foam in the mattress

Carolyn  of Redondo Beach, writes:
After 6 months of hardly any sleep I've finally decided to try out a different mattress. In my hunt for a new bed, I must say I'm really shocked by the number of choices out there - it's really mind boggling.  I came across this website a few days ago and it's been quite informative and helpful - really the best site I've seen so far.
So, here's my deal...
Initially I bought the Tempurpedic Rapsody and found it incredibly uncomfortable, but more importantly I found it very toxic, since it contains polyurethane foam (which I'm allergic to, headaches, nausea, itching). The store I purchased the bed from was very understanding about my allergy and has agreed to refund my money since they are unable to offer an other bed that does not contain polyurethane. 
A friend of mine has recommended the S&F all latex bed (Baroque?) and I'm also looking at the Sealy Spring Free Meadowcrest.  I'm a side and stomach sleeper looking for good support and a soft cushy feel. I'm also looking for a bed that does not contain polyform...or at least very little of it.  Which of the two beds would you recommend and why?  Thanks, C.

Hi Carolyn, I don't know of any mattress made today that has no polyfoam. The Meadowcrest, my River Crest, has more than the other tight tops in the line. The Sealy SpringFree latex model that has the least is the Weybridge frim. The little poly foam that is used, is at the top. Given the allergy, a latex topper on the firm model would give you the extra comfort you want, and also would add a hypo-allergenic layer...insulating you from the poly foam. 

Prices can be found on our website: www.ccmattress.com

FREE DELIVERY is available to most of the continental US on most of what we carry.
NO SALES TAX is charged on orders delivered outside of NJ.

Orders can be placed by callling TOLL FREE: 1-888-732-5923

C&C Mattress has been voted "Best in New Jersey"
The Philadelphia Inquirer's "Neighbor's Choice Award" 2007-2008
Our sincere thanks to all our customers...and a special thank you to those who voted.