Why eczema flares at night and how to deal with it

Posted: 7th September 2018 | Posted by Costa

Why eczema flares at night and how to deal with it

Eczema during the day isn’t easy to deal with, but at bedtime, it can be a nightmare. It disrupts sleep and causes anxiety. It sometimes increases the likelihood of health problems, such as insomnia.

What causes eczema to flare at night?

During the daytime, the body produces a natural anti-inflammatory called cortisol. Unfortunately, our cortisol levels drop during the night. This can leave eczema sufferers without the natural ‘protection’ against itchy, heated skin.

Dealing with discomfort

If you or your child has eczema, you already know how it feels to have lotions, potions and everything in between recommended to you that will ‘treat’ eczema. There’s no one-size-fits-all treatment. However, there are several ways to soothe discomfort so that you can have a peaceful night’s sleep.

Material

Eczema sufferers are no stranger to staying clear of ‘triggering’ fabrics like wool and polyester. However, have you thought about investing in bedding that’s less likely to make your skin itch? Silk, satin or man-made materials aren’t soothing for your skin. They cause your body to sweat which can make your eczema sting and become more irritated. Linen and cotton are a far better option for bedding than man-made fabrics and will help keep your skin cool.

The same goes for pyjamas. Avoid wearing these types of fabrics and ‘prickly’ materials such as brush cotton or wool. It’s also important to use natural, no-fragrance washing powders and fabric softeners.

Temperature

Temperature can play a significant role in how irritated your eczema can be. When getting ready for bed, we suggest turning down the heating and avoiding too many layers. You could use a fan, but that isn’t always the best solution. If you shower before bed, using cool/lukewarm water is preferable to hot water as your skin won’t react as severely. You should also use body washes or soap that are free from harsh and triggering chemicals.

Don’t scratch!

How many times have you been told, or had to tell your child, not to scratch? As the intensity of the condition develops during bedtime, it may be worth wearing cotton mittens to stop from scratching too much.

Lotions

Although most eczema sufferers don’t have just one holy grail product for handling their eczema, you should keep your essential moisturisers by your bed ready to apply to prominent itches so that you avoid the urge to scratch.

Clean

Keeping your environment clean and dust free can make all the difference when it comes to eczema. Dust is a common trigger for flare-ups so spending a little time dusting at the end of the day can be a big help.

If you find that you’re experiencing some of these symptoms but aren’t sure that it’s eczema, or want to learn more about the skin condition, don’t suffer, book an allergy test. Talk to our consultants today to take the first steps towards getting a proper night’s sleep.