People with eczema often have trouble sleeping because their skin feels itchy and dry. Rough or hot sheets can make the problem worse. That’s why picking the right bedding is very important. The fabric on the bed can help the skin feel better or make it more irritated.
This post shares helpful tips about the best sheets for eczema sufferers. It explains what bedding materials are good, which ones to avoid, and how to take care of bedding to keep the skin safe and comfortable.
WHAT IS ECZEMA
What is eczema?
Eczema (also called dermatitis) is a skin condition that makes the skin dry, itchy, and red. When people scratch it, it gets worse and causes more redness and itching. It can show up as dry, flaky spots and sometimes even small blisters. Eczema can appear anywhere on your body and may come and go.
What causes eczema?
People with eczema often have changes in their genes that affect their skin. Research has found:
- Their skin makes less fat and oil
- They don’t have as many natural moisturizers
- They often lack a protein called filaggrin, which helps keep skin cells tightly packed together
- Some skin cells are shaped in an unusual way
These changes cause tiny spaces between skin cells. This weakens the skin’s barrier, which allows germs, allergens, and irritants to enter, and water to escape. That’s why the skin becomes so dry and itchy.
What makes eczema worse?
Some things we use every day can make eczema worse. For example, soap, bubble bath, and dish soap have a high pH, which means they can remove the skin’s natural oils. This dries out everyone’s skin, but especially people with eczema. If people don’t keep their skin moisturized, it can become very dry, flaky, itchy, and sore. Cold weather can also make it worse. During winter, indoor heating, low moisture in the air, wind, and moving between warm and cold places all make the skin drier.
Eczema Treatment
Eczema treatments include using moisturizing creams and special creams prescribed by the doctor/dermatologist. Preventative measures are staying away from things that can make it worse—like some soaps, allergens, and using clothes/bed linen that will scratch or irritate the skin.
FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING BEDDING FOR ECZEMA-PRONE SKIN
People with eczema need to be careful about the sheets they sleep on. That’s because your skin touches your sheets all night. Soft, gentle materials are good choices because they don’t scratch your skin and let air pass through. This helps keep you cool and less itchy. It’s also best to choose sheets without harsh chemicals or dyes.
1| NATURAL VS. SYNTHETIC LINEN
Natural fabrics like cotton, hemp, linen, and bamboo come from plants. They are usually soft—or softer after a couple of washes. They also let your skin breathe and soak up moisture. Because these fabrics are gentle on your skin and they usually don’t cause allergic reactions, they’re good for people with eczema.
Synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon are made using harsh chemicals that bother sensitive skin. They may last longer and cost less, but they don’t breathe well. They can trap heat and sweat, which can make eczema worse.
2| BREATHABILITY AND MOISTURE-WICKING PROPERTIES IN BED SHEETS
Breathability means how well air moves through fabric. Fabrics like hemp, cotton and linen are breathable, so they keep you cool at night. This is good for people with eczema because heat and sweat can make the skin itchier.
Moisture-wicking means the fabric pulls sweat away from your skin. Hemp sheets are a good example. This keeps your skin dry, so it doesn’t get irritated. Bedding that is both breathable and moisture-wicking helps people with eczema sleep better.
The National Eczema Society says, normal silk sheets (not the kind used for therapy) aren’t as easy to use as cotton, hemp, or bamboo sheets. They’re harder to wash, and skin creams can leave marks on them more easily.
3| TYPES OF WEAVES, THREAD COUNT AND AND THEIR EFFECTS ON ECZEMA PRONE SKIN
Thread count means how many threads are in one square inch of fabric. A higher number doesn’t always mean better. Sheets with a very high thread count may trap heat and sweat, which can make eczema worse.
For people with eczema, a thread count between 200 and 400 may be a good choice. This gives you comfort without making you too hot. The way fabric is woven matters too. People who sleep hot also benefit from a slight lower thread count. With regards to cotton, percale can help people with eczema feel more comfortable at night.
A sateen weave feels smooth and silky but can be warmer. Some people with eczema might like this softness, but others might find it too hot. Choosing the right weave depends on what feels best for your skin.
4| HYPOALLERGENIC BEDDING
Hypoallergenic materials are less likely to cause allergies or skin problems. For people with eczema, bedding made from hypoallergenic materials helps. Natural fabrics like organic cotton, hemp, linen, and bamboo are hypoallergenic naturally. Tencel Lyocell sheets are made from eucalyptus trees and are also naturally hypoallergenic.
These natural fibers have natural antimicrobial properties. They naturally stop bacteria and fungi from growing. They are also soft, breathable, and don’t have rough or scratchy parts.
Bacteria and fungi cause skin infections and make eczema worse. Since eczema skin is already sensitive and damaged, it’s easier for these germs to get in.
To help prevent this, keep your skin clean and moisturized. Avoid things that make your skin break out.
5| FABRICS TREATED WITH ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS
Some fabrics are made with special treatments to stop bacteria and fungi (such as mold and mildew) from growing. These are sheets that are not naturally antimicrobial. For people with eczema, using these types of sheets can help keep bedding cleaner and lower the risk of skin infections. Common germ-fighting ingredients used include silver and copper because they naturally kill bacteria.
Why is this good for clothes?
- It helps stop bad smells by killing the bacteria that cause odor
- Clothes stay smelling fresh longer, especially fabrics that normally trap smells
There are different ways to add germ-fighting ingredients to the fabric:
- Sprayed or coated on the surface
- Mixed into the threads
- Added while the threads are being made
- Mixed with dyes
- Put on at the end, during the finishing process
How does it work?
When bacteria touch the fabric, the antimicrobial agent can:
- Stop the bacteria from growing
- Add too much oxygen inside the bacteria and kill it
- Break its outer wall so it can’t get food
- Disrupt the proteins inside the bacteria to weaken it
KEY TAKEAWAYS ON CHOOSING SHEETS FOR ECZEMA-PRONE SKIN
People with eczema should look for bedding made from natural, gentle materials like cotton, hemp, bamboo, or linen. These sheets are hypoallergenic and help stop bacteria from growing and making your eczema worse. Some also consider sheets with safe antimicrobial treatments.
It’s best to avoid synthetic fabrics like polyester, which can trap heat and sweat. This helps the skin breathe and don’t hold in heat.
Also, stay away from sheets with harmful dyes or added fragrances. And remember to wash them often in fragrance-free detergent. This helps keep your bedding clean and without skin irritating chemicals.