‘Life-saving’ mattress could stop you getting deadly infections
according to the manufacturer, Squirrel Medical.
Squirrel Medical’s technical director said, “I think that this is the first time in 70,000 years that mankind can simply wash a mattress down. It’s a simple concept and should be of tremendous benefit for those with dust mite allergies and respiratory illnesses.
“This is more than adequate for killing most pathogens, dust mites and removing dust.”
Foam mattresses can absorb up to 46 percent more moisture than any other type of mattress, according to bed maker Harrison Spinks.
The moisture makes them a perfect place for bacteria to grow and breed.
Bacteria that reside in mattresses include Staphylococci, Enterococci, and even the deadly Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) superbug.
Infections form these bacteria can lead to painful lumps on the skin, cellulitis, collections of pus under the skin, pneumonia and urinary tract infections.
The new mattress — appropriately named Noodles — could be used in hospitals and care homes to lower the risk of spreading infections.
It could also be used domestically to improve hygiene, and to reduce dust and dust mites.
Health policy analyst, Roy Lilley, said, “This mattress is very clever.
“It looks a bit like dried Japanese rice noodles, and is a really neat, innovative piece of technology.
“There’s a big demand — in hospitals especially — for a mattress that’s easily cleaned, and less likely to harbor infections.
“It’s not a stretch to say it could save lives.”
The mattress was launched in the UK on November 18.
About 300,000 people in England acquire healthcare-associated infections each year.
That includes around 9,000 deaths every year from both MRSA, and the deadly superbug Clostridium difficile (C. diff).
The National Health Service spends about £1billion a year on treating these infections, according to Squirrel Medical.
A 10-year old mattress could hold more than 10lb in dead skin, it was estimated.