Allergen levels can be reduced by getting rid of old mattresses

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

Replacing old mattresses and improving ventilation can reduce dust mite levels and so help improve allergies.
Dust mites are a major source of allergens, and play a major role in triggering attacks of asthma. Researchers in Barcelona, Spain, now reveal that house dust mite allergen levels can be reduced considerably by getting rid of old mattresses. In this study, more than 3,500 dust samples were taken from homes throughout Europe. Two different dust mite allergens were found in 68 and 53 per cent of all samples.

Older mattresses and being at a lower level in the bedroom were both linked to higher allergen levels. Other factors increasing allergen concentration were limited ventilation of the bedroom and, for one of the dust mites, the presence of dampness. The researchers conclude that allergen levels may usefully be reduced by getting rid of an old mattress and opening windows in the bedroom regularly. This reduction in allergen levels could give important relief to allergen sufferers but further research is needed to establish this.

Source
Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology online 21st August 2006