Allergies

An ‘allergy’ is a physical reaction, which occurs when the body is exposed to a particular substance such as house dust mites and their droppings. Common symptoms associated with an allergy are sneezing, wheezing and coughing, sinus pain and running nose, itchy eyes, ears throat and skin rashes, sickness and diarrhoea. Allergies can also trigger fatal reactions.

House dust mites are tiny creatures that cannot be seen with the naked eye but they live in all of our homes and are most commonly found in sofa’s, beds and carpets and feed on skin flakes moistened by bodily fluids.

Asthma

Allergic asthma is a condition where the small tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs become inflamed and therefore more irritable. In an asthma attack, the airways become constricted in response to the presence of allergens or triggers making it very difficult to breathe. The biggest trigger in the home is house dust mites and their droppings.

Eczema

Atopic eczema is a very itchy skin rash and is the most common form of eczema. It affects people with a family history of asthma or other allergic disorders. It can occur at any time from infancy to adulthood and it is suggested that people with atopic eczma are sensitive to allergens such as house dust mites and their droppings and certain foods.

Allergic Rhinitis

This is a condition in which the membrane lining the nose and the throat becomes inflamed. It affects people who experience an allergic reaction after they inhale specific airborne allergens. Allergic Rhinitus is more common in people who also have other allergic disorders such as asthma.

How do Astex PRISTINE® Encasements work?

House dust mites feed on shed human skin and bodily fluids and so by fully encasing your bedding this prevents their survival. Our Mattress, Duvet and Pillow Encasements use new patented fabric technology which creates an impenetrable barrier to allergy-causing particles produced by house dust mites, such as those responsible for asthma, eczema, rhinitis and perennial hay fever. The fibre in Astex PRISTINE® fabric has been tested by two independent US colleges of medicine and found to be an effective barrier to dust mites and their associated allergens. The zip closures are lined for extra protection.

The tightly woven PRISTINE® fabric used in our Encasements has a minute pore size of 5.9 microns which prevents 99% of all allergens from passing through.

Travel Liners are now available to reduce the risk of an allergy attack when away from home. Allergy symptoms can return if the bed you are staying in has not been protected from dust mite colonisation. Astex PRISTINE Travel Liners are easy-to-fit, elasticated mattress covers that can fit under or over the sheets on your hotel or holiday bed. They are effective for up to 6 weeks and so are suitable for business trips, weekends or holidays away.

In June 2017 a study was completed (by Clare S Murray of the University of Manchester – Department of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine) using Astex PRISTINE® Encasements for mite sensitised asthmatic children. Study conclusion: The risk of emergency hospital attendance was reduced by 45% by fitting Astex PRISTINE® Encasements to the mattress, pillow and duvet therefore we are able to conclude that allergic attacks overall were correspondingly reduced.

We have compiled a list of tips below that will significantly improve an allergy sufferers daily life.