Mattress covers are not listed in the German GKV medical aids directory. However, most statutory health insurance companies cover or subsidise the costs of allergen-proof mattress covers (known in Germany as encasings) as medical aids when prescribed by an allergist or general practitioner.
We test mattress covers and bedding for their allergen-reducing effects.
Allergen-proof covers can protect people allergic to dust mites from mite allergens and alleviate their symptoms. A combination of different testing methods can be used for encasings:
- House dust and mite barrier – testing the passage of mite faecal allergens through the textile surface, seams and zips
- Water vapour permeability
- Air permeability
- Fraction separation efficiency with DEHS test aerosol at 5 cm/s
Allergen-binding bedding can reduce the presence of mite faeces allergens in the sleeping environment/bed and thus also alleviate symptoms in allergy sufferers. We test allergen binding with house dust mite faeces using an in-house method.