Ive tried dunlop latex toppers from 2 companies (sol and sleepez) and developed an irritating skin rash each time. The latex GREATLY reduced my back pain so im trying to find a solution to the skin reaction. Im wondering if i would have success with a different type of latex (talalay), or a company that processes the latex differently (i suspect the sensitivity is most likely from the chemicals/offgassing rather than the actual latex). Note: i tried multiple encasements/barriers with no success. I did not try a wool topper though.
So, do i give up on latex? Is talalay significantly different from dunlop regarding chemicals/offgassing/microscopic latex proteins? Would a wool or wool/cotton protector provide an adequate enough barrier to prevent exposure?
Note: im in the medical field and have no issues with latex gloves.
I’m definitely not in the medical field but it might be worth trying a skin test for allergens related to the proteins that can end up in latex products. According to this article (see page S4, last two paragraphs of NR latex products), there’s extra care taken these days to remove what are called “extraneous proteins” (EPs) from the manufactured latex gloves.
It’s apparently done to some extent for foamed latex but is likely not as easy to remove them given that they are blocks of foam rather than thin layers. There’s also some difference in additives used for solid latex like gloves versus foamed with at leas the foaming related agents that are used. Here’s an article on the dunlop process I found. It mentions zinc oxide and sodium silicoflouride as gelling agents specific to the dunlop process.
If you have access to mineral sunscreen and it gives you a similar rash, suspect zinc oxide as being an issue. I’m not sure where you can get SSF samples, but literature shows it can also cause rashes. NEITHER of those are water soluble so the above mentioned washes that remove the water soluble proteins will remove those gelling agents. If excess amounts of either are present in the mix, they won’t all react and will be present in the final product.
The big difference between Talalay and Dunlop is in those gellation agents. Pure Talalay latex doesn’t use zinc oxide or sodium silicofluoride. Instead, it uses injection of CO2 to provide gellation by reducing the pH quite a bit. This article provides the details. Any leftover carbonic acid will be removed as it dries. The evaporation will split up the water and CO2 molecules just as if it were evaporating mineral water.
So the long answer is that it CAN be reasonable to try Talalay over Dunlop. You can get pillows that are either. Just make sure you get certified organic versions of either to limit the range of chemicals you’ll be exposed to.
Thank you for such a detailed and informative response. My research on dunlop vs talalay did not turn up anything as thorough as what you found…Excellent work, im duly impressed.
I suspected chemicals were the driving factor for the skin reaction. Im going to order the talalay! Thank you again for your help.
In all my years of selling latex I’ve never heard of anyone having that type of reaction. We specialize in Talalay latex so my recommendation is to contact our customer service department and request a small sample of our Talalay and sleep a night or two with it touching your skin to see if there are any issues. Contact us at latexorders@gmail.com if you would like to request a sample.