Encasing Mattresses Improves Asthma in Children

According to some investigations, up to half of the cases of childhood asthma are exacerbated by the presence of allergens found in the excrement of the common house dust mite. Consequently, one way to combat asthma is to limit the exposure of children to these dust mite allergens. Removing carpeting and washing bedding are good ways to reduce the dust mite load in homes. New research also confirms that encasing the pillow and mattress of asthmatic children can have a dramatic benefit for their asthma status.

Dr. S Halken and colleagues evaluated the benefits of using a semipermeable mattress cover (Allergy Control brand) designed to prevent the passage of dust mite allergens. Sixty asthmatic children were given either the test covers or simple cotton covers, through which dust mite allergens could penetrate. The children were followed for 1 year. In the groups of children who used semipermeable covers, the concentrations of house dust mites decreased almost 10-fold, compared to only a 50% drop in the control group. Furthermore, the mean dose of inhaled corticosteroid decreased by about 50% in the semipermeable cover group (p = 0.003 compared to baseline) but only by about 25% in the control group . Morning and evening peak flows increased significantly in the semipermeable cover group, but only evening peak flow improved significantly in the control group.

These findings suggest that the use of a semipermeable mattress and pillow cover was associated with:

• a decrease in the concentration of house dust mites in the mattress

• a drop in the dose of inhaled steroid

• a decrease in allergen-specific bronchial hyperreactivity

• a decrease in nighttime asthma symptoms, and

• an increase in morning and evening peak flow measurements.

source:AAAAI