How to Choose Sleepwear for eczema and sensitive skin conditions

We don't need to tell you about the distress that lack of sleep can cause. Everybody in the family suffers if deprived of a decent night's rest so it's vital that every possible measure is taken to help anyone with eczema or sensitive skin enjoy the cool relaxing comfort of appropriate bedding and sleepwear.

Cotton or bamboo fibre are ideal
Fabrics of man-made fibres such as nylon and polyester, as well as wool, often irritate the skin, and if you have eczema they can make your skin incredibly hot and itchy. Similarly, although the anti-bacterial properties of pure silver would seem ideal for eczema and dermatitis sufferers, our testers found nightwear with silver in the fabric very hot, as the silver minimises heat loss and reflects energy back to the skin.

We think you'll find cotton or bamboo fabric both soft and absorbent and more comfortable next to the skin if you have eczema, psoriasis or dry or sensitive skin.

Warning
in the UK, US and elsewhere children's nightclothes are, by law, treated with flameproofing chemicals. Most of these chemicals contain formaldehyde which cannot be washed out. Children with eczema should not be exposed to these chemicals, especially at night when body heat encourages fumes to be given off. This can lead to allergic reactions in asthmatics too.

Wherever possible look for nightwear and clothing which carries the Eco-Tex symbol shown here (sometimes spelt Oeko-tex).

This is an international standard of textile purity and guarantees that the fabric from which the garment is made does not contain any harmful chemicals.

We can confidently recommend the cotton jersey Sleepsuits, Mitten Tops and Leggings with feet from Snugglepaws. The material is Eco-Tex certified and very gentle. All the clothes can be washed at 60° so stains from creams and ointments can be removed and surface dustmite allergen eliminated.

 

Unlike a lot of the sleepsuits we researched, the Snugglepaws sleepwear does not have tie-on mittens that can make sore skin even more uncomfortable where the knot chafes. Instead they have "grown on" all in one mittens and feet, helping to prevent the night-time itch-scratch cycle. There are no scratchy labels at the back of the neck to irritate sensitive skin and seams are flat- sewn for comfort. 

These products get our 5 ticks rating for design, fit and comfort.

Getting the size right
Make sure the fit is close without being tight. But avoid the friction that a too-big garment will cause as it moves excessively over the skin. Be aware too of "skin on skin" contact, especially under the arms if the raglan is loose or between the legs if the gusset is too low.

Two or three sets worn in rotation should last, even with frequent hot-washing, until the child is ready for the next size up.

What should I buy?
Which particular sleepwear you buy depends on how severe the skin condition is and how much cover and protection you need. Wearing mittens during the day is not recommended as this can interfere with the development of a child’s hand/eye co-ordination. But for short, vulnerable periods such as car journeys or when sitting in front of the TV our Mitten Travel Top, which you pop on to your child over his ordinary clothes, can be a godsend.

If your child’s condition is mild you may be ok at night with some very soft pyjamas and a pair of cotton gloves.

Adults too will find the gloves help to stop scratching whilst asleep and they're also good to wear over creams and emollients at night.

Soft & Gentle pyjamas are made of gentle Fairtrade organic cotton and became an instant best seller when we introduced them a year ago. The pyjamas have straight sleeves and legs with no tight ribbing to grip at wrists and ankles and are printed with water-based vegetable dyes in two fun designs. Sizes are from age 2 to 7 yrs and our tests show them to be hardwearing and able to withstand repeated laundering.

Our White Cotton Gloves are made specially for AllergyBestBuys to provide the comfort and fit our customers asked for. They can be washed at 60°C and come in packs of 3 or 6 from size 2/3yrs tp Adult XL.

Click here to look at:

	Mitten Top
	Mitten Travel Top
	All-in 0ne Sleepsuit
	Soft & Gentle Pyjamas
	White Cotton Gloves