Allergy sufferers know the frustration of instant sneezing and a runny nose from the moment they get into bed. And in many cases, it continues all night, causing uncomfortable congestion that disrupts their sleep and makes the next day just as miserable.

Hypoallergenic bedding is a good place to start—especially if you’re allergic to the materials inside your comforter. But for most allergy sufferers, that’s not enough. You need to target what may very well be the largest source of your allergy problems in the bedroom: your mattress.

Mattresses can be havens for dust mites and allergens, particularly if you’re not vacuuming and cleaning them on a regular basis. But the good news is: many of today’s mattresses are designed with innovative hypoallergenic features to ensure you’ll get the deep, sneeze-free sleep you’ve been dreaming about.

Here’s what to look for:

Memory Foam

Memory foam is a popular option for all sleepers, because it’s great at reducing the pressure points that cause tossing and turning. But allergy sufferers will be especially pleased to learn that memory foam is naturally antimicrobial and resistant to dust mites. So the foam can help to reduce your allergy symptoms, while also enhancing your comfort. Win-win.

You can find memory foam in both foam-core mattresses and in hybrids (which incorporate layers of memory foam on top of an innerspring system).

Foam-Core Mattresses

More research still needs to be done on the hypo-allergenic properties of foam-core mattresses vs. innerspring mattresses. But there’s one thing that foam has going for it: fewer materials inside.

Innerspring mattresses are typically made with numerous layers of foam, filler and other materials. That’s great for your comfort, but not so great for your allergies, because it creates more opportunities for dust mites to thrive. Also, the innerspring system itself creates a cavity inside the mattress that may make it more prone to dust mites.

Knit Covers

The exterior of your mattress (regardless of type: foam or innerspring) can go a long way to preventing dust mites. Durable materials, like the Tencel® moisture-wicking cover found on many of our Englander mattresses, can help to keep mites out, while also creating a cooler, drier sleeping surface.

Hypoallergenic materials

Many mattresses now feature hypoallergenic materials built right into the comfort layers. But you won’t know by simply lying down on the mattress, so be sure to ask before you buy. Take the time to find out more about your mattress: what’s inside, how it’s made and what hypoallergenic properties it has. You’ll find lots of great details about our mattresses here at Bens.com, but be sure to stop in store and our associates will be happy to provide the additional specs and guidance you’re looking for. Find a Ben’s location

Supplemental mattress cover

No matter what kind of mattress you buy, one of the best things you can do to prevent allergic reactions is use a supplemental hypoallergenic mattress cover, like the Mattress Protector. The cover creates a protective barrier to prevent dust mites and other allergens from entering the mattress.