Eczema Support Group

Yeah, we had the same problem and did the same thing - let him sleep in bed with us. On the one hand it made life so much easier, on the other he's 3 1/2 and is still in my bed (we don't mind anymore, but if we ever decided to kick him out I'm sure it would be a hell of a fight...). What also helped for us was wet and dry bandages. So we would moisturise, then add the prescription creams, then one layer of wet bandages (warm water) then a layer of dry on top. We used tubular bandages. The good thing about that is not only is the skin getting intensely moisturised which aids healing, he couldn't scratch. The head was still a problem but there are little head covers you can buy to protect the head from scratching (try a company called Cotton Comfort - online, they are based in the UK though). They also sell sleep suits, the cotton (organic) is pretty thick but loose fitting, the feet are covered and there are mittens which can be attached. I think there is another company called the Natural Clothing Company that sells similar products, also UK as far as I recall.
It can be pretty exhausting huh? I had to wait about 3 years to get a full night's sleep and even now he still has itchy wiggly nights. Sometimes the lack of sleep with just make me want to collapse and cry.
Oh, and my son is still on the bottle and probably will be until he's 5. He has to be because his allergies and intolerances are so bad that he relies on his prescription formula for most of his nutrition. It tastes pretty ick, so the bottle is the only way. People think its odd, but I don't pay any attention.
Best of luck with it, let us know how you go.
KC

Hi there, our daughter is 2 and has had eczema basically since birth...have you tried giving your daughter some benadryl or zytrec before bed? We give our daughter a 1/2 teaspoon twice a day (once before nap and once before bed) and it does help her sleep. She sleeps in her own bed and although she sometimes still wakes up from scratching, we put her right back into her own bed once we've made her comfortable again. I know it won't be easy, but the switch to her own bed can be done. Best of luck to you and your family!

I have had excema since baby & early memories are of itchy nights. Mum ended up putting mittens/socks on & tying them with ribbons so I could supposedly not get tehm off. I would chew through them in my sleep sometimesI know this may sound cruel but Mum worked out which side I slept on & ended up loosely tying my hands to the on that side but in a way that was not uncomfortable. She would put vicks (smelly ointment used for colds with in it) on my hands so if I did chew w through I wouldnt like the feel. Another ointement that is good is a nappy rash ointment made of fish (& stinks) called ungvita (dont know if avail there), she would put it on & wrap in glad wrap (plastic sticky food wrap) so I couldnt get at the hands.
Hope this helps