Sleep and eczema

Sleep is vital for anyone’s health, but when you have severe eczema, trying to go to bed can be extremely uncomfortable. Without enough sleep, not only can your health and mental well-being suffer, but your eczema can get worse too.


A good night’s sleep doesn’t have to elude you when you have severe eczema. Here are some tips you can try to catch more Zzz’s and have a better night’s sleep.

Adjust your thermostat
Body temperature and eczema are closely related. The hotter you become, the worse your eczema tends to be. Many people wake up in the middle of the night because they become overheated and their eczema-related itching worsens.

By keeping tabs on the temperature levels in your room when you go to sleep, you may be able to reduce the severity of your eczema symptoms. There’s no universal temperature that’s best for everyone, though. You may have to try different temperatures to find the one that’s the most comfortable for you while you sleep.

Choose soothing linens
The material of the linens you sleep on can also greatly impact your body temperature while you sleep.
 Fabrics that are 100 percent cotton or bamboo are a good place to start. This means you can wash them frequently to remove dust mites or skin debris that might otherwise affect your sleep.
Clean, soft linens made of breathable fabrics are the best bet for people with eczema who wish to sleep better at night.


Reduce nighttime scratching
Many people unintentionally scratch their eczema patches at night. To reduce the risk of scratching eczema patches and making them worse, keep your nails trimmed and neat.

You may also find it helpful to wear soft cotton gloves at night to cover your fingernails and cut down the incidence of itching. Ideally, you can train yourself through wearing gloves to stop itching. And once you’re less likely to itch, you can take off the gloves at night.

Apply moisturizer before bed
If you go to sleep with dry skin, you’re likely to wake up several times because of it. About 30 minutes to an hour before you go to bed, apply thick moisturizer cream to the areas affected by eczema.

Doing this an hour before you go to bed allows the ointment to better sink into your skin. It’s also a good idea to moisturize right after you get out of a bath or shower while your skin is still damp to lock in the moisture.

Practice good sleep hygiene
The same habits that help people without eczema sleep more soundly can also apply to those with eczema. Here are a few examples of these sleep habits:

Stick to a regular bedtime and wake-up time every day. This trains your body to go to sleep and stay asleep.
Engage in relaxation techniques about an hour before going to bed. Examples include meditating, taking a bath, listening to soothing music, or reading a book.
Avoid eating heavy meals, drinking caffeine, or smoking before going to bed. These habits are all associated with disrupting sleep.
Turn off all computer and phone screens before bed. The light emitted by electronics can trick your brain into thinking it isn’t time to go to bed yet. By using visual cues like a dark room, you’re more likely to have a better night’s sleep.
These steps are all aimed at reducing feelings of stress and anxiety that can further affect sleep. As an added bonus, by reducing stress, you can also improve your eczema and reduce flare-ups.


Choose appropriate sleepwear
The clothes you sleep in can affect how well you rest, just like how the fabrics on your bed can affect your sleep.

Don’t wear anything made of fabric that’s too rough, scratchy, or tight. Also, make sure you’re wearing appropriate clothing depending on how hot or cold it is, so you can avoid sweating.

When choosing your pajamas, go for airy, loose, and bre