Tips For Breaking The Itch-Scratch Cycle

While most parents consider itching to be a minor nuisance, the story is very different for eczema patients, particularly children. Itching prompts scratching that can be beneficial in getting rid of various irritants from skin. However, for children that suffer from eczema, stopping the scratching is a challenge.

Scratching provides temporary relief but this relief is short lived. Intense scratching damages skin and further irritates sensitive skin and subsequently causes more intense itching later. This is known as the itch-scratch cycle.

The cycle is problematic as it rapidly worsens the eczema and breaks the skin layer leaving the resultant wound open to infection.

Stopping the Cycle

Itching has to be controlled successfully in order to stop the scratching. Breaking this cycle also prevents an increased inflammation which is responsible for producing the itch in the first place.

Unfortunately, it is virtually impossible to get your child to resist the urge to scratch since itching from eczema is unrelenting.

Here are some simple tips you can use to help break the vicious Itch-Scratch cycle.

1. Reduce Stress

Research shows that stress can trigger or aggravate eczema. If you child suffers from eczema it is helpful to minimise stress as much as possible. Keep track of what triggers stress in your child and find ways to minimise its effect. Also introduce activities that are soothing and calming.

2. Avoid Irritants

Foods such as dairy products, eggs, fish, nuts, and tomatoes have been known to aggravate eczema. Similarly, exposure to cigarette smoke, certain soaps, detergents, sand, pet dander, synthetic fibres, and course fabrics like wool also aggravates eczema. Learn about the triggers that affect your little one and make genuine efforts to avoid them.

3. Try Probiotics

Probiotics have been found to be effective in reducing the symptoms of eczema. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for a probiotic that’s suitable for children.

4. Keep Skin Clean

Choose a body wash that’s suitable for itchy, inflamed skin. Make sure it does not contain skin-irritating ingredients like Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) or Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLES) and avoid soap-based cleansers.

5. Use a safe Eczema Cream

It’s important to find a good quality eczema cream that has anti-itch and anti-inflammatory properties. Some creams can be harmful to your baby’s skin, especially if used regularly, so make sure that you find something that is free from artificial fragrances and chemical irritants.

Conclusion

Eczema is known to cause a lot of discomfort to babies and unfortunately it has no cure. All we can do is manage the problem for our children and support them as best as possible. The biggest obstacle to the effective management of eczema is the itch-scratch cycle, as children find it difficult not to scratch. However, we hope the 5 tips above will help you break the itch- scratch cycle to manage your child’s eczema successfully.

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