Coping with itch
"Just don’t scratch" never helped. Here is what actually worked for me on the worst nights: meditation, cotton gloves, and a few trusted itch-relief tools.
By Huiying ·
Before I learned how to manage the relentless itch that haunts eczema warriors, I used to get so frustrated when well-meaning family and friends would say, "Just don't scratch!" Trust me, I wish I didn't have to, but the itch was unbearable!
Everyone finds their own way to cope, and for me, the game-changer was meditation. During the worst nights, when my skin felt like thousands of ants were crawling on it, I would put on meditation episodes from the Calm app and listen until I fell asleep. (Do you also find the itch gets worse at night?)
It took months of perseverance, but eventually I gained better control over the urge to scratch. Pairing meditation with cotton gloves (or mittens) at night? That was my secret weapon.
Even now, though I've learned to manage my itch, I still experience flare-ups, and the flare-up patches can get really itchy, especially right after bathing. When that happens, I take deep breaths and reach for my go-to itch relief tools.
It's all about finding what works for you and sticking with it!
How do you cope with the itch? Share your tips with me.