Sleep is crucial for overall health, but if you suffer from severe eczema, just drifting off to sleep could be difficult. Without ample sleep, your stress levels can skyrocket, affecting your mental and physical health, as well as trigger an eczema flare. Restful sleep, however, does not necessarily have to be out of reach even if you’re suffering from severe itchiness.
Below are some easy tips you would want to try to get better sleep despite your symptoms:
Invest in Soothing Linens
Soft and clean linens made from hypoallergenic and breathable fabrics are your best friends and will help lay the foundation for a good night’s rest. It’s also a good idea to buy dust mite covers for your mattress and pillows since dust mites are the most common eczema triggers for many individuals.
If you’re one of them, having your pillows and mattresses protected could help keep the itches at bay as you sleep. Opt for quilts, blankets, and duvets made of fabrics that you can wash and dry easily — bamboo and 100% cotton fabrics, in particular. These fabrics will be easier to wash so you can get rid of skin debris and dust mites on a regular basis.
Keep Nighttime Itches Away
Many people inadvertently scratch their dry skin patches while sleeping. To help keep the negative effects of scratching at a minimum, make sure that your fingernails are neat and trimmed properly. You might want to consider wearing light cotton gloves when sleeping, as well.
Always Apply Moisturizer at Bedtime
Going to sleep without tending to your dry eczema patches might lead you to wake up multiple times throughout the night.
To combat this, 30 minutes to an hour before bedtime, make sure to apply your herbal skin care or medicated eczema moisturizer to all your dry patches. This will help make sure that your moisturizer had a chance to penetrate your skin deeper. Don’t forget to slap on some moisturizer every time you shower or bathe to ensure that you lock in all that hydrating and moisturizing goodness.
Wear Appropriate Sleeping Clothes
Your sleepwear could also impact how well you sleep, much like how your linens could affect your rest as well. For starters, never wear clothes that are tight, scratchy, rough, or that tugs and pulls at your skin as you move in your sleep. Likewise, ensure that you wear clothes appropriate for the weather or temperature in your room so you don’t sweat or feel overly dry. Opt for breathable, loose, airy, and hypoallergenic fabrics like 100% cotton.
In a perfect world, you would be sleeping for six to eight hours every night. If you experience symptoms such as sudden mood changes, severe sleepiness during the day, and difficulty concentrating, these are warning signs that you are not getting the proper amount of sleep and that your condition is taking its toll on you. If following the tips above still leaves you tired and sleep-deprived because of your symptoms, it’s best that you discuss your situation with your doctor.
