Helping your child get better sleep can involve a range of strategies that address both skin health and sleep hygiene.
Establish a Consistent Bedtime Routine
A strong starting point for good sleep is to establish a bedtime routine that’s predictable, to prepare your child for sleep. That may shorten the time it takes them to fall asleep and help them stay sleeping. When they’re sleeping more soundly, mild itching might not disturb them.
Research suggests children with consistent bedtime habits, such as going to bed at the same time each night, showed better emotional control and behavior throughout the day.
Create a Soothing Sleep Environment
Pay attention to what’s in your child’s room and get rid of things may disrupt sleep, like noise, light, and irritants such as dry air or rough sheets, says Tanya Evans, MD, a dermatologist and medical director of the skin cancer program at the Melanoma Clinic at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, California.
“Children can be particularly sensitive to environmental factors, so for sleep, you want to make sure everything in the bedroom is geared toward minimizing potential eczema triggers and promoting comfort,” she explains. That might involve using a humidifier, keeping the bedroom cool, opting for hypoallergenic bed linens, and using room-darkening shades.
“If itching persists, you may need to take further steps to modify a room, such as removing carpet that may have dust mites,” she adds.
Have a Skin-Care Routine Before Bedtime
As part of an evening wind-down routine, prioritizing skin health can reduce nighttime itching, says Dr. Evans. Your child can have a nightly bath, but limit it to 10 to 15 minutes maximum, she says, because staying in the water longer may dry out the skin and actually make itching worse. In addition a short-duration bath, other tips include:
- Keep bath water lukewarm instead of hot or too cool
- Use mild, fragrance-free cleansers and shampoos to reduce risk of irritation
- Pat skin dry instead of rubbing
- Moisturize immediately after a bath with emollients or topical ointments
“Taking the time to moisturize thoroughly as a way to lock in the moisture from the bath can go a long way toward helping with nighttime comfort,” says Evans. “Also, it will improve the skin barrier in the long term.”
Focus on Adequate Hydration and Nutrition
Aside from an evening routine, what you do during the day can have an impact on kids with eczema, particularly nutrition and hydration.
“This often means identifying any possible allergens and paying attention to whether certain foods consumed in the evening may be leading to increased itching at night,” says Evans. Some potential culprits may include:
- Eggs
- Dairy products
- Soy
- Wheat
- Fish
- Peanuts
- Tree nuts
One essential note, Evans adds: Avoid too much liquid right before bed, such as a large glass of water. If your child wakes up because they have to use the bathroom, they may start scratching.
Use Medications Wisely
Treatment for atopic dermatitis in children is similar to what’s used for adults, says Dr. Mallick. That means a dermatologist will first recommend over-the-counter moisturizers that are unscented and dye-free to repair the impaired skin barrier.
If nighttime itching becomes problematic, you may try short-term use of a topical corticosteroid to control skin inflammation and calm the itch. There are some available over the counter, such as a hydrocortisone cream, and if needed, you can move up to higher-strength prescription steroid creams, nonsteroidal topical medications, or systemic oral or injected medications.
“Parents and caregivers should consult a dermatologist when treatments such as moisturizers and topical corticosteroids aren’t working, because that usually means moving on to prescription options,” says Mallick.
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