Children With Eczema: How to Stop the Scratching

Keep nails trimmed short to reduce the risk of breaking skin.

Wear mittens over hands at bedtime to prevent unintentional scratching.

Apply a cool, wet cloth to itchy areas to help relieve the itch.

Use an oatmeal bath to help relieve itching and reduce inflammation.

Avoid using harsh soaps and detergents that can dry out the skin and make itching worse.

Use a humidifier to keep the air in the child’s bedroom moist. Dry air can make eczema worse.

Cool water will constrict blood vessels and slow down the inflammatory response.

Calamine lotion can dry the weeping blisters to crust over and heal more effectively.

Keep your child’s skin moisturized with a fragrance-free, hypoallergenic lotion or cream several times a day. This can help to reduce dryness and itching, and keep your child’s skin healthy and strong.

Avoid rubbing or picking at your child’s eczema. This can worsen itching and make eczema more severe.

Don't dress your child in wool and scratch materials as these can irritate your child's skin and make them itch.

Avoid hot baths and long, hot showers. Hot water can dry out and irritate your child's skin.

Get an allergist referral if you suspect that your child’s eczema is caused by an allergy.