For International Sleep Day on 13th March, we're welcoming guest blogger Robyn Davies, who offers some practical strategies for getting a better night's sleep with itchy skin.

If you have eczema, you may also find that itching often intensifies at night. This leads to a familiar cycle of itch- and scratch-related disruption to sleep. We call this the itch-scratch cycle, where lack of sleep also leads to further disturbances to your skin. 

When your skin is already sensitive or inflamed, heat, dryness and friction can all make night-time unbearable.

The good news is that small, achievable changes can be made to help support your skin and lead to more restful sleep.

 

The Night-Time Itch Spiral

Whether you suffer from eczema yourself, or your child or baby does, night-time itching may be a very familiar topic. 

You or they finally fall asleep, only to be woken in the night with sudden scratching. The more you scratch the more irritated your skin becomes, which then leads to even more itching. 

This is the itch-scratch cycle:

1. Skin becomes itchy

2. Scratching damages the skin barrier

3. Inflammation and heat increase

4. The itch becomes stronger

Over the course of a night, this cycle can continue, making restful sleep difficult. This can make night-time the hardest part of your day. But understanding why itching often worsens at night can help you take practical steps to reduce it.

 

Why Eczema Often Feels Worse at Night

Several factors contribute the severity of eczema symptoms at night.

• Skin loses moisture overnight

Eczema affects the skin barrier, marking it hard for skin to retain moisture. Overnight, skin can become drier which may increase itching and sensitivity.

Applying moisturiser before bed helps support the skin barrier and reduce moisture loss while you sleep.

We recommend Balmond’s Skin Salvation balm for night-time. Apply to areas of sensitivity before going to bed. You can also choose to cover specifically sore areas with  gloves or sleeves, though always opt for 100% organic cotton directly on eczema.

• Heat and sweating can increase irritation

Warm bedrooms, thick duvets, and synthetic fabrics can all contribute to overheating. Heat and sweat are both triggers for sensitive skin and itching.

Use breathable bedding and opt for organic cotton fabrics where possible.

• Friction from clothing and bedding

When you move during sleep, labels, seams or tight elastic can rub against your skin and aggravate eczema. Choosing soft, breathable sleepwear designed to minimize friction can help reduce irritation overnight.

Eczema Clothing create nightwear specifically for this purpose. Their nightwear is 100% organic cotton, and they also have garments for adults and children with built-in scratch mittens to reduce night-time scratching.

See their range of scratch mitten clothing here.

 

Practical Strategies for Managing Eczema at Night

While every person’s skin is different, many people find that a consistent routine helps calm skin and support better sleep.

Create a calming pre-bed routine

Try these steps for your night-time routine:

1. Take a lukewarm bath or shower
2. Use a gentle cleanser or gentle face wash if needed
3. Pat skin dry rather than rubbing
4. Apply moisturiser promptly while skin is slightly damp.
5. Lock in moisture with a nourishing body oil

This routine is sometimes referred to as 'soak and seal' - it's a great way to lock in moisture.

You can then use a rich balm like Skin Salvation to support the skin barrier. 

Choose sleepwear that protects sensitive skin

Clothing plays an important role in managing eczema at night. Sleepwear designed specifically for eczema and sensitive skin focuses on reducing friction and overheating.

Key features to look for:

Feature	Why it helps
Soft organic cotton	Breathable and gentle on skin
Flat seams	Reduce rubbing during movement
No internal labels	Avoid irritation points
Covered elastic	Prevent friction at the waist or wrists
Scratch-mitten sleeves	Help protect skin during sleep

Many people with eczema prefer 100% organic cotton sleepwear because it allows the skin to breathe and feels softer against the skin.

Some eczema-friendly nightwear, such as those available from Eczema Clothing, is specifically designed with flat seams, label-free construction and optional scratch-mitten features to reduce skin damage during sleep.

Customers often say they choose these garments to help minimise night-time scratching and improve sleep comfort.

Keep the bedroom skin-friendly

The sleep environment can have a big influence on itching.

Small changes may help make the bedroom more comfortable for sensitive skin:

• keep the room cool and well ventilated
• use breathable bedding where possible
• avoid heavy synthetic duvets if overheating is a trigger
• wash bedding regularly using fragrance-free laundry detergent
• keep nails short to reduce scratching damage

If overheating is common, lighter layers or cotton bedding can sometimes help reduce irritation overnight.

Gentle ways to interrupt the itch

Even with the best routine, itching can still happen during the night. Some gentler alternatives to scratching include:

• pressing or patting the itchy area
• applying a cool flannel
• using distraction techniques for children
• wearing cotton gloves or mitten sleeves during sleep

If eczema becomes very inflamed, painful, or shows signs of infection, it’s important to seek advice from a pharmacist, GP or dermatology professional.

 

A Simple Sleep System for Eczema

Many people find it helpful to think about eczema sleep support as a three-part system.

1. Skin care - nourishing and protecting the skin barrier
2. Skin-friendly sleepwear - breathable fabrics that minimise irritation
3. A cool, comfortable environment - bedding and room temperature that reduce overheating

When these elements work together, they can help reduce triggers that make itching worse overnight.

For example, applying a nourishing balm before bed, wearing soft cotton sleepwear and sleeping in a cooler room may all support calmer skin during the night.

If eczema symptoms are severe, infected, or not improving, it’s always best to speak with a pharmacist, GP or dermatology team for advice.

For more tips, you explore Balmonds’ blog resources or discover eczema-friendly nightwear designed to support sensitive skin during sleep.

Save on your "soak & seal" with Balmonds All Natural Starter Set

Posted with thanks to Robyn Davies | Eczema Clothing for this article