Is my memory foam mattress making me sick?

Memory foam may contain isocyanates, which, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, can cause irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and skin. Exposure to isocyanates can also lead to chest tightness and asthma.


Do foam mattresses give off toxic fumes?

Is off-gassing from memory foam toxic or dangerous? The short answer is no. While the odor from mattress off-gassing is unpleasant, it's not harmful to most people. A small percentage of owners report difficulty breathing, headaches, nausea, eye and throat irritation, and asthma.

Can I be allergic to memory foam mattress?

Can you be allergic to a memory foam mattress? Although less common than latex allergies, it is possible to be allergic to memory foam mattresses as well. Each company has their own manufacturing processes for memory foam, but many of these foams do require latex.


Why is my mattress making me sick?

According to the Sleep Council, older mattresses—typically 10 years or older—provide a breeding ground for a variety of bacteria, including staphylococcus, enterococcus, norovirus, and, in rare cases, MRSA. Mold can also be an issue if your room gets humid.

How do I know if my mattress is toxic?

7 Toxic Mattress Symptoms You Should Know About
  1. Headaches muscle pain.
  2. Frequent nausea.
  3. Lack of concentration.
  4. Itchy/sore throat.
  5. Skin, nose, and eye irritation.
  6. Chest tightness.
  7. Difficulty breathing.


Is Memory Foam Bad For Your Health?



What are the disadvantages of memory foam mattress?

II. Cons
  • Memory foam mattresses can be quite heavy. ...
  • They have been known to be hotter than normal mattresses because they cradle your body and the dense foam retains heat. ...
  • In hot climates the mattress may be softer than expected and in cold climates it may be harder than expected.


How long does off-gassing take mattress?

Typically, that new mattress smell will go away somewhere within a few hours to a few days. The best way to avoid inhaling off-gas is to open your mattress outside and let it breathe for at least two days. Some suggest letting it air out for a week or two if possible.

What are the most toxic mattresses?

Polyurethane foam mattresses, whether they contain a modicum of soy or not, continue to negatively affect human health and the environment, and soy foam is not even readily biodegradable, so will end up in landfill with the rest of those toxic foam mattresses.


Can memory foam mattress cause body aches?

Yes, your hip pain can be caused by both a memory foam mattress that is either too firm or too soft! Soft mattresses may be more comfortable however they are far less supportive. They also encourage poor posture, which could lead to hip pain or lower back problems in some cases!

How do you tell if you are allergic to your mattress?

Signs of a dust mite allergy include:
  1. Congested nasal passages.
  2. Sneezing.
  3. Itchy eyes and nose.
  4. Sore throat and cough.
  5. Skin irritation.


Can mattress off gassing make you sick?

If you're especially sensitive to scents, a bed with strong off-gassing odors may cause unwanted symptoms, such as headaches, nausea, or dizziness. Individuals with respiratory issues, such as asthma or allergies, could also experience irritation of the airway and difficulty breathing.


How do you know if your mattress has dust mites?

If you have dust mites and are allergic, you may see some of the following symptoms:
  1. Watery eyes, runny nose, and sneezing.
  2. Sore throat.
  3. Breathing issues and coughing.
  4. Skin issues.
  5. Exacerbated asthma symptoms.


Can dust mites live in memory foam mattress?

After adjustment for relevant confounders, the risk of finding mite feces was four times higher in foam compared to spring mattresses (odds ratio 4.0, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1-15.1), and eight times higher for the foam mattresses without cover (OR 8.1, 95% CI 1.8-36.9).

How long does it take memory foam to off gas?

Most memory-foam mattresses take up to three days before the off-gassing dissipates. Highly sensitive people or those with chemical allergies should wait even longer than three days before sleeping on the bed.


How long do you have to air out a memory foam mattress?

Benefits of Waiting

But memory foam, and the plastic it's wrapped in, may still have a slight smell in the beginning. If you are sensitive to smells, let your mattress air out in a well-ventilated room for 24-48 hours before sleeping on it.

How do you air out a memory foam mattress?

Air It Out

If you're unable to take the foam mattress, pillow or topper outdoors, prop it up in a room against a chair or wall so it ventilates from all sides. Open the windows and turn on a window fan drawing air out of the room. The longer the foam product airs out, the less noticeable the odor will be.

Is memory foam good for side sleepers?

Best Memory Foam Mattresses — Foam or memory foam mattresses are an excellent choice for side sleepers because the material contours to curves to prevent pressure points.


How can I make my memory foam mattress more comfortable?

Warm It Up For Comfort

Much like how memory foam allows your body to sink into the foam as it absorbs your body heat, a warm room will help the whole bed to soften up. Try adjusting your thermostat, using a heated blanket, or switching to flannel sheets to warm things up.

Why does my body ache from mattress?

Aches and Pains: Waking up with aches and pains may be due to the comfort layers in your mattress breaking down, causing pressure points when you sink onto the firmer support core. Poor Sleep: Tossing and turning on an uncomfortable mattress may result in poor sleep quality, even if you're not consciously aware of it.

What type of mattress is healthiest?

Both latex and memory foam mattresses have excellent antimicrobial properties that make them resistant to mold, allergens and dust mites—thus making them an ideal choice for people who have allergies.


How do I know if my memory foam mattress has fiberglass?

Many memory foam mattresses sold in the U.S. commonly include fiberglass to meet Federal Laws on fire safety. Check the tag on your memory foam mattress, and it should tell you whether fiberglass is included in the bed.

How do you protect yourself from a toxic mattress?

So how can you minimize your VOC exposure? Consider investing in a polyethylene mattress cover. It can act as a barrier to keep some of the chemicals in your mattress instead of out in the air that you breathe. [A polyethylene mattress cover] is the only safe material that can actually stop VOCs from off-gassing.

What are symptoms of off-gassing?

Off-gassing happens because organic chemicals in liquid or solid form can be trapped during the manufacture of certain goods.
...
Symptoms of VOC exposure can include:
  • Skin irritation or allergic reaction.
  • Eye irritation.
  • Difficulty breathing.
  • Sore throat.
  • Headaches.
  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • Fatigue.
  • Dizziness.


Is the smell from a new mattress toxic?

The short answer is no, the new mattress smell is not harmful to people — however, according to Amerisleep, a small percentage of mattress owners reported having difficulty breathing, headaches, nausea, eye and throat irritation, and asthma after experiencing mattress off-gassing.

How can I speed up my outgassing?

How to speed up off gassing
  1. Ventilate, either with your HVAC system or by opening the windows, by using fans etc.
  2. Heat. As offgassing rate rises with temperature, a heater may be useful.
  3. Let a new product air out before using it. This one is not easy, especially for a couch or a mattress.