A whole night’s sleep is essential to maintaining optimum health and well-being. For most of us, this means getting between 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep. For those living with Eczema, getting enough sleep can be incredibly challenging. As we settle down from our day and relax in preparation for sleep, there’s little to distract from the constant itching this condition brings sufferers. Without meaningful relief, this leaves them tossing and turning throughout the night, doing their best not to scratch. As a result, many eczema sufferers spend their day in a state of perpetual fog caused by daytime fatigue.
Melatonin Can Bring Needed Relief To Eczema Sufferers
You’ve likely heard of melatonin at some point in your life. It’s a natural hormone produced within the body by the pineal gland. Everyone produces this substance naturally, though some may not produce enough to help them sleep easily. Even those who produce average amounts of melatonin may struggle with sleep if battling the itch from Eczema. As a naturally occurring hormone within the body, taking a supplement is a popular option for those struggling to get enough sleep. Melatonin has been demonstrated to help these sufferers get more restful sleep, and there are no notable side effects that come with taking it.
Melatonin has been shown to work by battling the presence of free radicals within our bodies. It also behaves like an anti-inflammatory agent. This behavior is how it reduces the number of eczema flare-ups sufferers experience in the evening. In addition, it also helps to keep the circadian rhythm regulated. When adequately regulated, our circadian rhythm contributes to more restful sleep and improved immune function. This is particularly important as more eczema sufferers report that their symptoms worsen in the evening. There are several reasons behind this, including:
- Increased Scratching – As mentioned earlier, the mind has more idle time in the evening and tends to be more in touch with your surroundings. In addition, the itching becomes uncontrolled once asleep. Sufferers may do so compulsively without conscious effort to avoid scratching the areas affected by Eczema.
- Interrupted Sleep – Those who wake up throughout the night can interfere with the brain’s natural sleep cycle. This can lead to reduced levels of natural melatonin and sebum production, which only serves to aggravate the condition.
Melatonin’s ability to mitigate these experiences and produce better sleep has helped thousands of eczema sufferers worldwide.
Other Methods For Managing Eczema Symptoms
While melatonin can help your condition, it should only be a part of a complete treatment approach. You must keep your skin moisturized with sensitive skin ointments. Your choice of sleepwear can also help, so be sure to wear pajamas made from cotton fabrics. Some eczema sufferers opt to wear mittens at night to prevent nighttime scratching from further damaging their skin. Reach out to your allergy specialist for further guidance on how to manage your eczema symptoms today!
