According to the National Sleep Foundation, a newborn should get at least 14 to 16 hours of sleep, and toddlers should get 11 to 14 hours of sleep in 24 hours. The amount of sleep can vary among children based on a number of factors, including their developmental differences, temperament, and health conditions.
Eczema is one of the most prominent causes of sleep disturbance in children. Eczema symptoms, such as discomfort, itching, and skin irritation, can disturb the normal sleep patterns of the child, leading to various sleep-related challenges.
Let’s discuss why sleep is particularly important for children with eczema and how you, as a parent or caregiver, can ensure that your child with eczema gets enough sleep.
Importance of Sleep in Eczema
Good quality and quantity of sleep is crucial for your child’s overall health and well-being. Sleep allows your child’s brain to develop and build networks that facilitate learning and thinking. It also allows your child to develop physically, aids in acquiring better motor skills, and contributes to growth.
Sleep is especially crucial for people with eczema, as during sleep, a child’s body goes through various restorative processes, including skin healing and repair. It helps their skin recover from inflammation, daily irritation, and scratching associated with asthma and allows the skin barrier to repair itself, reducing the risk of infection and eczema flare-ups.
By supporting the immune system of children with eczema, adequate sleep prevents secondary infections and promotes better overall skin health.
Furthermore, since eczema symptoms can take an emotional and psychological toll on children, good sleep and regular daytime naps can aid in managing stress, reducing flare-ups, and enhancing a child’s ability to cope with eczema-related symptoms.
Simple Approaches to Help Your Child with Eczema Get Better Sleep
The following are some simple tips that you can follow to help your child with eczema get better sleep.
Ease Eczema Itch
Eczema itch can keep your child from having quality sleep. To ease the itch and prevent scratching, use a good moisturizer or a medicated ointment at night. You can also use medications prescribed by your child’s dermatologist to ease itching.
Ice packs can also be effective in easing intense itching, as the cold sensation of the ice packs can relieve inflammation and itching. Keeping your child’s nails short and using soft cotton gloves during sleep can also help prevent unintentional scratching.
Optimize Sleep Environment
Dry skin can make eczema symptoms worse. So, to keep your child’s skin from drying out, use a humidifier that provides cool or mist. Moreover, sweating can also cause eczema to flare up; therefore, aim to keep bedroom temperatures slightly cooler than the main living areas.
Keep Your Child’s Bedroom Clean
Certain environmental allergens, such as dust, can trigger eczema to flare up. Therefore, always keep your child’s bedroom clean. Regularly wash or dry clean soft surfaces like cushions, curtains, comforters, and sheets. Try removing dust on hard surfaces like door frames and windows with a damp cloth rather than dry dusting.’
Natural feather filling in the comforter or pillows can also trigger an eczema flare-up. Therefore, always look for synthetic fillings that are non-allergenic.
Establish a Good Bedtime Routine for Your Child
Creating a consistent and soothing bedtime routine for your child can help them get the recommended amount of sleep for their age. Routine activities, such as a warm bath, comfortable clothes, book reading, and dimmed lights signal your child’s body that it is time to sleep. This fosters healthy sleep habits in a child with eczema.
Eczema Treatment in Children in Phoenix, AZ
If your child is struggling with eczema that is taking a significant toll on their emotional health and sleeping patterns, it is best to seek eczema treatment right away. At Happy Skin Pediatric Dermatology, our compassionate pediatric dermatologist has built an excellent reputation in and around Phoenix, AZ, for treating a comprehensive range of children’s skin conditions, including eczema.
To schedule a consultation with our pediatric dermatologist, contact our friendly staff today at (602) 837-3376 or fill out our online appointment request form.
