Eczema Gloves for Kids - Managing and Preventing Scratching at Night

Understanding Eczema in Children and How Gloves Can Help

Eczema is a common skin condition that causes skin to become itchy, red, and inflamed. It often first appears in early childhood and is estimated to affect over 30% of children. For many kids, eczema can be frustrating, uncomfortable, and even painful.

The exact causes of eczema are not fully understood, but it seems to result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Children with a family history of eczema or other allergic conditions like asthma are more likely to develop eczema.

Common Eczema Triggers in Children

Flares of eczema can be triggered by a variety of factors including:

• Irritants like soaps, shampoos, household cleaners
• Allergens from pets, dust mites, pollen
• Changes in temperature or humidity
• Stress and emotions
• Certain fabrics like wool or synthetic materials
• Infections from bacteria, viruses or fungi

When children have an eczema flare-up, they often can't resist scratching the affected areas of skin. But scratching further damages the skin barrier and makes symptoms worse.

How Eczema Gloves Help Children

Having a child with eczema can be worrying for parents. However, various treatment options are available to reduce flare-ups and keep children comfortable.

One solution that helps prevent scratching at night is having the child wear protective gloves or mittens. These specially designed gloves act as a barrier between a sleeping child's nails and their skin. This allows eczema patches to heal rather than being further aggravated.

Types of Eczema Gloves for Children

Several types of gloves are made specifically to help manage eczema in kids:

• Cotton gloves - Breathable and gentle on skin.
• Silk gloves - Extremely soft and less likely to cause irritation.
• Bamboo gloves - Made from eco-friendly viscose bamboo material.
• Wet wrap therapy gloves - Worn over medicated creams to boost their effectiveness.
• Scratch sleeves - Fitted sleeves protect arm, hand and wrist areas.

Key Features of Eczema Gloves

The highest quality eczema gloves have features designed for sensitive skin such as:

• Soft, smooth seams that won't rub or irritate skin
• Grip dots on palms so gloves stay in place
• Long cuffs that prevent scratching of wrists
• Breathable fabrics allowing airflow to skin
• Easy on/off designs for children to wear independently
• Fun colors and prints that kids enjoy wearing

Choosing the Right Eczema Gloves

With many glove options available, it can be difficult deciding which are best for your child. Here are some tips for choosing effective eczema gloves:

Consider Skin Sensitivity

If your child's skin is extremely sensitive, fragile or cracked, ultra-soft materials like silk or bamboo may be best. For milder cases, breathable cotton is often the top choice.

Involve Your Child

Encourage your child to participate in selecting their gloves. Having some fun prints or colors to choose from can help kids better adapt to wearing gloves at night.

Choose Appropriate Sizes

Its important eczema gloves fit snugly without being uncomfortably tight. Measure your childs hand and verify sizing charts before ordering. Companies usually offer childrens sizes ranging from toddler up to youth/teen.

Read Product Reviews

Checking eczema glove reviews from other parents can provide helpful insight. Ensure the product you select has a high average rating and positive feedback about effectiveness and durability.

Compare Prices

Costs can range widely from budget cotton gloves to premium specialty materials. Set a reasonable budget and look for coupon codes to make selected gloves more affordable.

Using Eczema Gloves Correctly

To properly use eczema gloves:

• Have your child wear them for naps and overnight while sleeping
• Use them consistently each night for best itch relief
• Apply any prescribed eczema creams or lotions before putting gloves on
• Check for reactions the first few nights then weekly thereafter
• To clean, turn gloves inside out and machine wash in fragrance-free detergent
• Replace gloves every 1-2 months or sooner if worn out

Potential Drawbacks of Eczema Gloves

While gloves are very effective at preventing scratching for most children, potential issues to be aware of include:

• Some kids may initially resist wearing gloves at bedtime
• Can cause sweating or irritation if fabrics arent suitable for your childs skin
• Dont protect other areas like the face or neck from scratches
• May not stay on properly if incorrect size or style chosen

Combining Gloves With Other Eczema Treatments

Alongside protective gloves, other recommendations for managing your childs eczema flare-ups include:

Moisturizing

Frequently apply heavy, fragrance-free moisturizing creams and ointments to soothe and hydrate skin. Help create a barrier against irritants.

Bathing

Bathe your child daily or every other day in lukewarm water using gentle cleansers labeled eczema-friendly. Avoid very hot baths which dry out skin.

Wet Wraps

Wet wrap therapy involves applying topical steroids then wrapping affected areas in wet bandages, followed by a dry outer layer. This boosts the medications absorption.

Phototherapy

For moderate to severe cases, phototherapy exposes skin to ultraviolet light under medical supervision at a dermatologists office. Helps reduce inflammation.

Oral Medication

If topical treatments dont adequately control eczema, a doctor may prescribe oral steroids or immunosuppressants in extreme cases.

Developing an effective regimen tailored to your childs specific triggers takes some trial and error. But being consistent with preventative measures like regular moisturizing and nightly glove use provides the best results.

Outlook for Children With Eczema

Living with eczema can be challenging, but the good news is that most children eventually outgrow it. Around half see their symptoms significantly improve before their teen years. Proper management is key to reducing flare-ups in the meantime.

Implementing eczema gloves as part of your childs treatment plan takes advantage of the natural healing their body does during sleep. Protecting sensitive skin from scratching leads to improved symptom control over time.

With care from an attentive parent, an eczema-friendly environment, and the right mix of treatments, your child can sleep soundly and comfortably through the night. Consistency is important as you help manage their condition, but many children do grow out their eczema as their immune systems mature.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.