ScratchSleeves
  • Gallery
  • My Account
  • Contact Us
  • +44 1962 890 210
  • Home
  • Shop
  • About
    • About ScratchSleeves
    • PJs designed for your child’s eczema
    • Getting The Right Size
    • What Are ScratchSleeves Made Of
    • Using ScratchSleeves
    • How many layers?
    • Washing Instructions
    • The Story Behind ScratchSleeves
  • Useful Info
    • Baby Eczema
    • Eczema In Children
    • Chicken Pox
    • Breaking The Thumb Sucking Habit
    • Stop Hair Pulling In Babies & Toddlers
    • Cradle Cap
    • Stop Children Picking At Scabs, Stitches & Surgical Dressings
    • Impetigo
    • Skin Picking in Adults
  • Blog
    • The ScratchSleeves Blog
    • Daily Life: Living with Eczema
    • Great Things to Teach Eczema Babies & Kids
    • Parenting Tools with an Eczema Twist
    • Seasonal: Eczema Just Keeps Changing…
    • Things I Wish We’d Realised Sooner
    • Yummy Recipes for Eczema Babies & Kids
  • Meet The Team
  • Checkout
  • Home
  • Shop
  • About
    • About ScratchSleeves
    • PJs designed for your child’s eczema
    • Getting The Right Size
    • What Are ScratchSleeves Made Of
    • Using ScratchSleeves
    • How many layers?
    • Washing Instructions
    • The Story Behind ScratchSleeves
  • Useful Info
    • Baby Eczema
    • Eczema In Children
    • Chicken Pox
    • Breaking The Thumb Sucking Habit
    • Stop Hair Pulling In Babies & Toddlers
    • Cradle Cap
    • Stop Children Picking At Scabs, Stitches & Surgical Dressings
    • Impetigo
    • Skin Picking in Adults
  • Blog
    • The ScratchSleeves Blog
    • Daily Life: Living with Eczema
    • Great Things to Teach Eczema Babies & Kids
    • Parenting Tools with an Eczema Twist
    • Seasonal: Eczema Just Keeps Changing…
    • Things I Wish We’d Realised Sooner
    • Yummy Recipes for Eczema Babies & Kids
  • Meet The Team
  • Checkout
  • Gallery
  • My Account
  • Contact Us

Stress and the links with childhood eczema

As parents to two children who had eczema in their younger years, we know only too well how stressful it can be to watch little ones suffer with scratchy, inflamed skin.  Like all of our readers, we suspect, we worked tirelessly to reduce the symptoms, applying swathes of emollient day and night; being careful over our choice of clothing, bed linen, laundry washing powder and trying our hardest to identify any foods which could be triggering flare-ups.  

Fortunately for our children, the eczema was mostly isolated to elbow joints, fingers and behind the knees, so it wasn’t immediately obvious to other people (until they started scratching, of course).  However, for children with eczema on their faces and necks, the impact may be much worse, especially as they reach school age and become more self-conscious about their appearance. 

That’s why we were particularly interested to read the National Eczema Society’s recent article about the impact of stress on eczema.  While the article relates to adult, long-term stress, it does highlight the potential damage to self-esteem which sufferers of childhood eczema may carry through to their later years if not properly managed.

This gives pause for thought on two levels:

  1. What can you do to reduce the impact of eczema on your child’s self-esteem, now and in the future?
  2. If stress is a trigger for adults, might it also be a trigger for children?  If so, what can you do to reduce anxiety in general, and about eczema in particular?

    Stress and the links with childhood eczema

    The right approach will benefit them enormously

On the first point, reducing the impact of eczema on your child’s self-esteem, we would suggest trying not to let this horrible skin condition dominate family life.  By getting out and about, going on holiday and doing fun things like swimming in spite of eczema, you show your child that eczema doesn’t make the rules about what you can and can’t do.  As they get older, there are things you can do to help your child manage eczema themselves, this is a really important factor as they grow more independent from you. Check out our article on encouraging your child to take control. 

The other aspect is around teaching your child to deal with any possible teasing from others about the look of their skin.  Everyone’s approach will be different of course, but it’s important to talk to your child openly about their eczema, and encourage other caregivers to do the same with other children around them so that there is no mystery as to what causes it or misconceptions about catching it. We did some research into the best books for explaining eczema to different age groups for parents to either buy for or recommend to their school or nursery. We also found it helpful (with eczema and other playground issues) to role-play the sort of situations they could find themselves in, so that they could explore different ways of responding.  

The second point regarding what you can do to reduce anxiety in your child may seem like a challenging issue, but the right approach will benefit them enormously. 

According to the National Eczema Society’s article, the link between eczema and stress is to do with the brain’s connection to the skin through cutaneous nerves.  Stress causes nerve endings to promote inflammation in the skin through blood vessels and the immune system. Stress causes your brain to release hormones including cortisol and adrenaline.  If you consistently have too much cortisol, over time it can dampen your immune system, reducing the inflammatory response in the skin.

Starting school, moving house or changes in family structure can all affect children. Trying to be as calm and relaxed as you can be as adults sets a positive example and atmosphere for them. Showing children that adverse situations are part and parcel of life but that they can be handled and will pass, we are sure has a positive impact on reducing anxiety.

Building their self-esteem is important – the greater their sense of self worth the happier and more relaxed they will be. Along the exact same lines, building their self-confidence around their eczema will give them extra resilience. 

With the increasing popularity of apps and tablets, both Headspace and Calm do a series specifically aimed at children. Listening as they fall asleep can help them settle down peacefully to sleep. 

If you would like more information on reducing childhood stress, the NHS has an excellent ‘Moodzone’ https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/anxiety-in-children/ which offers lots of information and advice. 

We would also love to hear about your experiences, please visit our Facebook page to share your questions or advice with other parents of eczema children.

As well as sharing our experience of bringing up an eczema child (and favourite allergy-friendly recipes), ScratchSleeves also manufacture and sell our unique stay-on scratch mitts and PJs for itchy babies, toddlers and children. We now stock sizes from 0-adult in a range of colours. Visit our main website for more information.

Published On: 27/06/2019
Claire Parker
Claire has been a writer ever since she learned to hold a pen. Her children both suffered from eczema as babies so she knows what it’s like to have to deal with this horrible condition.
Written By Claire Parker
Tess Soane
Tess joined ScratchSleeves in 2016 and loves being able to help our little clients and other parents who are struggling.
Reviewed By Tess Soane

Interesting article? Don't keep it to yourself...

  • Scratch Sleeves Facebook
  • Scratch Sleeves Twitter

Blog Categories

    • Things I Wish We’d Realised Sooner
    • Daily Life: Living with Eczema
    • Great Things to Teach Eczema Babies & Kids
    • Parenting Tools with an Eczema Twist
    • Seasonal: Eczema Just Keeps Changing...
    • Yummy Recipes for Eczema Babies & Kids
Trustpilot
From £8.99 Free P&P

Help skin heal with ScratchSleeves, the Scratch Mitts that really do work!

Buy now

No quibbles guarantee

ScratchSleeves are available through our shop and we abide by a 'no quibbles guarantee'.

Find out more
ScratchSleeves baby & kids mittens - no quibbles guarantee
Payment cards accepted
  • Tel: +44 1962 890 210
  • info@scratchsleeves.co.uk
FSB Member

© Since 2008, Trolls and Tribulations Ltd.

  • Editorial Policy
  • Shipping & Returns
  • No Quibble Guarantee
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Contact Us