Night Itching Due to Eczema

!±8± Night Itching Due to Eczema

The skin condition known as eczema affects millions of people throughout the world. The symptoms of this affliction can vary to a degree, but the overall affect is one of inflammation and irritation, accompanied by discoloration and swelling of the affected areas. In more severe cases, damaged skin can dry and flake, or can even crust over and form pustules that can become infected by bacteria. Any or all of these symptoms will result in persistent itchiness that is difficult to deal with. Night itching due to eczema is one of the more problematic symptoms of this condition, because the person is unaware of the damage they are doing to their skin when they scratch at it in their sleep.

While it is nearly impossible to stop night itching due to eczema, it may be possible to help alleviate the itching while awake in order to lessen the severity of the irritation that leads to itchiness. There are many opinions about the best way to relieve itchiness associated with eczema, but it is commonly accepted that maintaining a sufficient level of moisture in the skin on a regular basis is one of the most proactive steps anyone can take who suffers from this skin condition. This will help to minimize the drying out and scaling of the skin, which is one reason that itchiness develops in the first place. There are a variety of topical lotions and creams that can be used daily to help in this approach, especially those with natural ingredients such as vitamin E and aloe vera. Although certain creams for eczema containing cortisone and other steroids can provide temporary relief, it is recommended that continual use be avoided - and in some cases any use at all - due to the potential thinning and atrophy of the skin.

Some home remedies have been praised as being helpful in relieving night itching due to eczema. Oatmeal baths, either right before bedtime or during the day, have been reported to have positive effects in relieving the itchiness associated with eczema. The accepted method is to add two cups of natural or colloidal oatmeal to a full tub of water and then soaking for up to one hour or so. Tomato juice has also been reported to help alleviate the itchiness of eczema when taken orally.