The Anti Mite Quality of Nettress

One of the most important factors in the success of environmental measures to prevent and decrease allergy is early implementation. Many experts state that such measures should be used from early infancy and the earlier implemented, the better the results. Infants spend most of the time in their crib or bed, but in spite of the parent's natural concern about the cleanliness of their child's sleep environment high levels of house dust mites (HDM) were found in infant cribs. In contrast to blankets, sheets and pillow cases which are washable, mattresses are not and this prevents thorough cleaning and mite removal. Presently, the only proven method of dust mite exposure reduction is the use of impermeable mattress covers. Only highly impenetrable covers can prevent HDM allergen infiltration through the sheet and subsequent inhalation into the nose and upper and lower airways.

In order to prevent the accumulation of HDMs in and on an infant mattress, a new sleeping surface, Nettress, was developed. It is based on a porous netting stretched over a wooden or aluminum frame devoid of any filling. This creates a sleep surface which is completely permeable to air and prevents any accumulation of dust or HDMs.

In a study performed by Dr. Costa Mumcuglu, Parisitology Department, Hadassah Hospital Medical School in Jerusalem, HDM survival on the new surface was compared to survival on standard mattresses. Dust mites, grown in culture, were placed on the Nettress sleep surface and on the control, ordinary mattresses. The study and control mattresses were placed in standard conditions for HDM growth and after one week HDM numbers were compared. HDM's did not survive on the Nettress sleep surface whereas the mites not only survived but reproduced and proliferated on the standard mattresses.