Jo (Eczema Clothing MD) talks to Katie AKA @Mackies_Moments (eczema blogger, instagrammer and podcaster) about how clothing can help and gives some top tips on helping itchy kids.  

Click here for the podcast. 

The reason I got into this business was to help people going through what I went through when my daughter was little and had severe eczema.   

One of the best pieces of advice I was given was to try some special cotton eczema scratch mitten pyjamas from Cotton Comfort. These transformed her sleep - reducing her scratching and helping her skin recover.  This meant we slept better too – making the whole family happier and healthier.   

So 18 years on, I’ve made it my mission at Eczema Clothing to help people with eczema and other itchy skin conditions live more comfortable, fuller and happier lives by providing not just the best nightwear for itchy skin but comfy stylish clothes to wear in the day as well.   

March is Sleep Awareness month and I believe there is little that is more important than getting a good nights sleep.    

Why is sleep important?  

• Skin cell renewal rate is much higher at night when you are asleep – apparently average skin cell turnover is 8 times faster at night than during the day!  So it’s super important to rest and sleep to allow your skin to regenerate and heal

• Less scratching when in deep sleep means less damage plus the opportunity to recover  

• Attention, learning and memory – and therefore our mental health - are all massively enhanced by sleep.  So poor sleep makes it much more difficult to cope with even minor stresses, let alone eczema!  

How can clothes help?  

Soothing fabrics mean less itching and avoidance of allergens 

• Natural fabrics like organic cotton, silk and Tencel are soft to the touch, are non-allergenic and allow your skin to breathe.  Avoid itchy wool, polyester and nylon.  

• Read the small print – many suppliers state garments are made from ‘pure’ cotton but can legally use a small % of other fabrics like elastane  

• Those that can be washed at 60 degrees (e.g. cotton) mean dust mites, dead skin, creams and blood can be removed more effectively than lower temperatures 

• Avoid anything called ‘easy iron’ ‘no crease’ – these have chemicals on the surface which cause irritation  

• Layering is key – you can wear anything you want on top if you have the right fabric next to your skin!  

Right design means less irritation and more protection from scratching and allergens 

• Flat seams on the inside or, even better, seamless garments  

• No inside labels or ones that are easily removed 

• Narrow cuffs on pyjama bottoms prevent them riding up at night or you pulling them up to scratch itchy legs

• No exposed elastic or scratchy fastenings like Velcro to rub against 

• Close fitting so no extra folds of fabric to get hot where double layers fall and no skin on skin contact under arms or between legs  

Finally, you should wash clothes and bedding before you use them!  This is particularly important if not buying clothes that are made from certified organic fabrics as it will reduce the impact of any chemicals that may have been used on or in the fabrics during production.  But even for organic ones, washing will remove any dust or allergens that have got their inadvertently during packing and transit.  

We are delighted that Katie LOVES wearing our stripey adult PJ’s and they're now her ‘go to’ on her itchy days!

 Click here for our Striped PJ top and matching bottoms 

Jo’s top tip for parents of itchy kids  

Katie also asked me for a top tip for parents struggling with kids – like I did with Bonnie.  

"I found that giving Bonnie some responsibility and empowering her to do things to help herself was good for her and good for me.  You want to wrap your precious sore itchy child in cotton wool and do everything you can for them to make it better.  But giving them some autonomy and responsibility helps them to feel more in control and helps give you the confidence to put them in new situations without you."

Listen to my podcast with Katie to find out more!