How do you improve sleep with eczema?
Quality sleep is often elusive for people with eczema. It’s a sign that symptoms are not well controlled. Sleep disruption can have a significant impact on well-being, especially with kids, because it’s critical to overall health.
Itching is often at its worst at night, when there are no activities to distract your mind and body. Here are four tips to develop a bedtime routine and help ease the itch:
Moisturize the skin
When bathing, wet the skin with lukewarm water – just enough for the moisture to soak into the skin. Then, pat the skin dry – don’t wipe it dry. Apply hypoallergenic moisturizers immediately. This will help the skin trap the moisture. Hypoallergenic moisturizers are recommended because fragrance-based products can sometimes further irritate the skin.
Control the itch
Antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine, may help induce sleep and decrease the itch. It may reduce the amount of time it takes to fall asleep, as well as help you get a longer and better night’s sleep – which is also beneficial for the immune system. Always consult your doctor before taking or administering medication.
Use medication
Treat your symptoms with anti-inflammatories such as topical corticosteroids. The goal with anti-inflammatories is to break the itch-scratch cycle. Eczema is an inflammatory condition, so the more you scratch, the worse the inflammation. Topical corticosteroids are a very common eczema treatment.
There is a range of strengths (or potencies) depending on the location and severity of your AD; you can start with a mild-strength topical corticosteroid and then switch to a stronger one if mild is not working.
Some mild topical corticosteroids are available over-the-counter while higher-strength topical corticosteroids require a prescription from a doctor. Talk with your doctor about these medications.
Anti-inflammatories are typically used in conjunction with moisturizers. They control the inflammation when the skin is moisturized. An overnight wet wrap using cool or refrigerated clothing may also help relieve itching.
Identify what is causing the itching
The triggers can be physical, such as getting hot and sweaty; contact with a fabric such as wool or polyester that irritates the skin; soaps or household cleaners; and even emotional stress.
The triggers could also be related to environmental allergies (seasonal pollen, mold, dust mites or pet dander) or food allergies.
Skin testing can help identify which environmental allergens are causing flare-ups; oral food challenges are used to diagnose food allergies.
Work with your doctor to identify triggers and develop avoidance strategies to better manage the condition.
© 2021 Allergy and Asthma Network
Last updated : 2/6/2023