My baby has some trouble sleeping due to eczema-prone skin. What can I do?

Written in partnership with Dr. Clarence De BELILOVSKY, dermatologist & member of the Mustela experts' circle. Sleep problems and atopic-prone skin Sleep problems are a key symptom of atopic-prone skin. Once diagnosed, the itching sensation can explain sleep disorders. When the itching sensation is not yet present, but you are expecting it, your cuddles and your sweet voice will probably be the most comforting remedy to calm your baby, in association with baby/child-specific emollient skincare products to prevent its occurrence. Atopic flare-ups and redness: rituals to improve your baby's sleep Has some redness already appeared? In this case as well, emollient care can immediately reduce itching sensations. Don’t hesitate to reapply the emollient, even if you have already hydrated your child’s skin before putting him to bed – just avoid any oozing areas; for the latter, use the medical care prescribed by your physician, which will be better adapted. SleepThis moment can calm your child. To help him fall asleep, you can take this opportunity to offer him a little massage. If he is old enough to understand, you can explain to him what is happening and reassure him, reminding him that the itching will disappear eventually. You can also tell him a story. It will enable him to focus on something else and thus reduce his discomfort. Finally, don’t hesitate to lower the heating if it’s too hot in his room. The ideal temperature in the night should be kept at 18° C to avoid too-dry air (see atopic-prone skin: advice for the home). Some body parts are more or less involved, depending on the child’s age (see Treating atopic dermatitis: can it improve or disappear?). If your baby can’t tell you precisely where he feels itchy, if he is crying too much, or if he doesn’t speak yet, it is your role to check his body to spot any red patches and take care of him, to soothe him in case of atopic flare-ups: - Under the age of one, pay special attention to his plumper areas (cheeks, forehead), his arms and his belly. - Above the age of one, atopic dermatitis prefers skin folds: elbows, legs or even behind the ears. - Between the ages of three and four, and until around five or six years old, the redness likes to settle on the hands and face, around the mouth and on the eyelids. Once you have applied the emollient, the itching will disappear by up to 95% with special formulas, like Emollient Balm or Emollient Cream. Your child should relax now, all the more since the massage he had before has soothed him. Now, he can go back to sleep more easily.