Three eczema sufferers share how to combat nighttime eczema

If you have eczema, you know what it feels like. It’s a frustrating struggle to catch the ZZZs.

The problem is both physical and emotional. “When my eczema gets worse, I often feel anxious at night,” says Nicola Johnston, creator of Digital Her Content, who lives in Carlisle, England, near the Scottish border. “I’ve spent nights in so much pain that I couldn’t sleep, or I’ve scratched so hard that my sheets were covered in blood. That’s why I rely on bedtime routines that give me a good night’s sleep and give my body the rest it needs. I’ve been trying to establish habits.”

However, she suffers from “itchy, flaky skin, raised red rashes, cuts, and tight skin,” a condition listed by London-based editor and beauty influencer Elise Loubatiere. Sometimes we don’t even get that rest. For many patients, eczema is most itchy at night. This may also be due to not having time for self-care earlier in the day. Natalie Findley, a holistic chef from Whistler, British Columbia, has had a similar experience. “The nighttime flare-ups told me something was wrong,” she says. She said, “She wasn’t getting enough sleep, so nothing good happened.”

If you want to prevent eczema flare-ups, it may take some trial and error to find what works best for you. But it can also be helpful to get advice from someone who understands what you’re going through firsthand. Here, three women who have been there offer tips on how to prepare for bed, position yourself as comfortably as possible, manage symptoms and reset your emotions in the morning.

When it comes to getting ready for bed, Findlay values ​​consistency. “I try to keep the same routine every night,” she says. Before she does anything, she sets an “intention to sleep better.” From there, Findley says, “I like to clean and moisturize her skin, drink herbal tea, write in my journal, read a book, and express my gratitude. That way, she’ll have a 10 p.m. I will go to bed by then.”

Johnston, who is also a strong believer in a step-by-step approach, values ​​comfort first and foremost. “If your skin feels particularly irritated, start your pre-bedtime routine by taking a warm bath to soothe your skin,” she says. “Then I apply an emollient-based product, which locks in moisture and slowly absorbs it throughout the night. I wore lightweight satin nightwear that kept me cool. Silk to make my bed. I personally prefer this pillow because it’s gentle on facial eczema and doesn’t absorb products you put on your face like cotton materials do.

Loubatiere carefully prepares her skin and takes medication to prevent future symptoms. “I was prescribed antihistamines to help with the itching,” she explains. “I also try to apply an emollient liberally and frequently in the hour before bed.”

For Findley, the choice of bedding fabric isn’t as important as the washing method. “I don’t use any special types of sheets to soothe my eczema, but I do use natural, clean laundry detergents,” she says. “While many regular products claim to be clean, detergents are full of harmful chemicals and ingredients that can worsen eczema and overall health. Use mild, fragrance-free detergents. My laundry detergent is True Earth.” Her bedside friend is also natural and gentle. “If I need pain relief, I always use a calendula and comfrey-based ointment with shea butter to soothe itchy and dry skin.”

Johnston has an unusual trick for dealing with one of the side effects of eczema. It’s about going to her nail salon. “A great tip I’ve found is to get an acrylic gel manicure,” she says. “It means that the nails themselves become thicker and don’t hurt the skin when you scratch at night. This really helped cure my eczema.”

Recognizing that excessive heat can cause eczema, Loubatiere takes a proactive approach. “I use a standalone fan to stay cool, and sometimes I use a handheld fan to pinpoint the itchy area to relieve itching,” she says. “To reduce irritation, I always make sure my sheets and nightwear are 100% cotton or 100% silk. I also have eczema gloves and Koshicare. [aka “safe scratchers”]This is an itch tool that can satisfy your itch without causing any damage. ”

When Findley starts to feel itchy, she uses simple breathing exercises to calm her body. “Close your eyes and breathe in slowly for a count of 5, hold for about 2 seconds, then slowly exhale for a count of 7. Or, inhale slowly until your chest and belly are full of air. , hold for a few seconds, and then exhale slowly to the end. Repeat this over and over until you calm down. Also, imagine yourself sinking into the pillow as you exhale, until you finally fall asleep. It relaxes me and my muscles.”

Johnston tries to take naps during the day whenever possible. That way, if your symptoms worsen during the night, you won’t be completely exhausted the next day, and the extra rest will help you feel calmer. “By minimizing stress levels during the day, you are less likely to have a flare-up,” she says.

In Loubatière’s view, if you give in to the urge to itch, you’ll lose the battle. “At night, I tend to have what I call ‘scratching attacks,’ where I scratch uncontrollably and incessantly, even though I’ve broken my skin and it’s painful,” she says. “It’s so satisfying in the moment and it soothes that bone-deep itch. But then I get up and try to distract myself in some way. If I don’t stay in bed and wet my hands, I get scratched. In fact, taking up a hobby—anything that uses your hands, like painting, knitting, or playing the guitar—is the ideal distraction between a flare-up and a welcome moment when you really feel sleepy. It may become.

After successfully dealing with nighttime relapses in the light of day, Findlay developed a new philosophy. “I changed my eating habits and made it a habit to reduce stress and anxiety through meditation, journaling, and sleep hygiene. To treat the root cause of the problem, I switched to a plant-based diet. I also cut back on dairy products as they are prone to inflammation. …I drink lots of water every day. My eczema is gone now! Providing my body with the right nutrients supports my eczema. I found out that

Johnston emphasizes the importance of knowing who you really are. “Often I feel the same as you teeth “That seems to be the defining feature of your eczema,” she says. “It’s important to learn that your worth comes from you, not your skin. I’ve also learned to be kind to my skin. Instead of looking at my eczema with hatred and resentment, See it as a friend telling you that there is an imbalance somewhere that needs to be corrected. It’s so important to listen to your body and be aware of your triggers.”

No matter what strategy you use, Loubatiere says you should treat yourself with compassion. “I personally feel a lot of guilt after getting scratched,” she admits. “I think I’ve done a lot of damage to my skin. But I have to remind myself that it’s a condition I can’t control. The skin will heal eventually.” To get a good night’s sleep Her best advice is, “Don’t be too hard on yourself.”