Are Silk Sheets Good for Eczema? Discover the Benefits

I struggled with eczema for years before discovering that simple changes to my bedding could make a big difference.

As someone who battles the frustrating symptoms of eczema daily—the incessant itchiness, inflamed skin, and sleepless nights—I was thrilled to find that switching to silk sheets helped significantly reduce my flare-ups.

In this article, I’ll explore the unique properties of silk that make it an ideal fabric for eczema-prone skin.

I’ll also share scientific research that supports using silk bedding to manage eczema, as well as plenty of practical tips from my own experience with silk sheets.

Read on to learn why silk may be the best bedding option if you have eczema!

What Makes Silk Bedding Special?

Silk bedding has unique properties that set it apart from cotton, polyester, and other common bedding fabrics:

• Incredibly smooth texture: The smooth surface of silk minimizes friction against the skin’s surface that can worsen inflammation and itching.
• Moisture-wicking abilities: Silk whisks moisture away from the skin, helping to prevent the bacterial overgrowth that aggravates eczema.
• Hypoallergenic: Pure silk contains no irritating chemical finishes or dyes. It’s less likely to cause allergic reactions.

With these exceptional qualities, silk seems like an ideal fabric to help soothe and comfort eczema-prone skin.

The smoothness and moisture-wicking abilities may reduce scratch-triggers, while the hypoallergenic nature won’t further antagonize sensitive skin.

Knowing that silk sheets are hypoallergenic helped me sleep easier without worrying about allergies.

Scientific Research on Silk for Eczema Relief

Emerging research provides encouraging evidence that silk bedding can benefit eczema sufferers:

• One study found that children with eczema who wore special silk clothes saw a significant decrease in their symptoms after just one week, compared to those who wore cotton clothes.
• Researchers found that antimicrobial silk clothing worked just as well as a popular steroid cream in reducing eczema symptoms, showing silk’s potential as an effective treatment.
• A study revealed that using antimicrobial silk sleeves consistently reduced eczema severity and itching over four weeks, highlighting the long-term benefits of silk for eczema sufferers.
• In a Swedish case report, parents and doctors observed that children with eczema experienced improvements in itching, inflammation, and sleep within a few weeks of wearing silk clothes, confirming silk’s soothing effects on the skin.

While more research is still needed, these findings indicate silk bedding could be a simple, natural way to manage eczema!

How Do Silk Sheets Compare to Other Fabrics?

I’ve tried all kinds of bedding over the years to find the most skin-friendly option for my eczema. Here’s how silk stacks up:

• Cotton: Often irritates skin and dries out easily, causing inflammation and itchiness to flare. Wrinkles can also rub and chafe.
• Polyester & other synthetics: Tend to trap heat and sweat, creating a breeding ground for bacteria. The synthetic fibers are also more likely to aggravate skin.
• Flannel: Too hot and prone to causing sweating. The fabric pills over time which feels awful on sensitive skin.
• Silk: Creates a smooth, ultra-soft surface. Moisture-wicking properties help skin stay optimally hydrated while preventing bacterial overgrowth. Breathable and temperature-regulating. Overall, ideal for eczema!

No other common bedding fabric can match silk’s ability to prevent the moisture imbalance, friction, heat, and bacterial accumulation that aggravate eczema.

For me, the difference has been game-changing.

Learning about the acne-fighting properties of silk sheets made them an essential part of my skincare routine.

How Silk Bedding Helps My Eczema

Since switching to silk sheets and pillowcases, I’ve noticed a dramatic difference in my eczema symptoms. Here’s my experience:

• Less itching and inflammation – The cool, silky-smooth fabric doesn’t irritate my skin, helping prevent scratching and redness.
• Comfortable temperature regulation – Silk doesn’t cause heat build-up like other fabrics. It feels breathable year-round for better sleep.
• Decreased episodes of bacterial infections – Silk’s natural moisture-wicking properties inhibit bacterial overgrowth that worsens oozing/weeping eczema.
• Faster healing after flare-ups – My skin bounces back more quickly from eczema flares compared to when I used cotton sheets.
• Improved appearance – Silk causes less visible irritation and damage to the skin over time compared to rougher fabrics.

I still have occasional mild flares, but silk bedding has made the day-to-day symptoms of eczema far more tolerable.

I no longer dread going to bed or waking up with intensely inflamed, painful skin like I used to!

The Benefits of Silk Pillowcases

I strongly recommend a silk pillowcase in addition to silk sheets for anyone with facial eczema. The ultra-smooth fabric helps avoid friction that can irritate delicate facial skin.

Silk also maintains moisture balance on the face better than cotton or other pillowcase fabrics.

Since skin on the face is more thin and sensitive, it’s more vulnerable to irritation and inflammation. Silk protects that delicate area for relief.

Caring for Silk Bedding

To keep silk bedding in the best condition:

• Wash infrequently in cold water on a gentle cycle. Too-frequent washing reduces silk’s natural moisture-balancing properties.
• Use a gentle, scent-free liquid silk wash instead of detergent.
• Air dry only to prevent damage from heat.

With proper care, high-quality silk can last for many years!

How Often to Wash Silk Sheets for Eczema

When living with eczema, washing bedding more frequently is often advised to remove allergens, bacteria, and skin cells that build up.

However, silk’s natural resistance to bacterial growth means you don’t need to wash it as often other fabrics.

My dermatologist recommends washing 100% mulberry silk bedding once every 2-3 weeks for eczema.

This prevents over-washing silk which can diminish its beneficial properties. Just spot treat any visible stains in between washes as needed.

If you cherish your silk sheets as I do, you’ll love Heritage Park Laundry Detergent (link to Amazon). It gently cares for the fabric, preserving its natural beauty and prolonging its life.

Helpful Tips for Sleeping with Eczema

Along with silk sheets, here are some other tips I’ve found useful for more comfortable sleep with eczema:

• Wear loose, ultra-soft silk pajamas instead of irritating fabrics like flannel.
• Take a soothing colloidal oatmeal bath before bedtime to moisturize and reduce inflammation.
• Apply a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer before bed to calm and hydrate the skin.
• Drink plenty of water during the day to improve skin’s moisture levels at night. Dehydration exacerbates eczema dryness.
• Use a humidifier if indoor air is very dry. Maintaining proper humidity helps prevent eczema flaring up overnight.
• Keep bedroom dark, cool, and clutter-free to minimize potential irritants.

Pairing these tips with silk sheets has allowed me to finally get some decent sleep after dealing with nightly eczema discomfort for so long!

What to Look for When Buying Silk Sheets

With so many silk bedding options out there, it can be tricky to determine which are best for managing eczema. Here’s what to look for:

• 100% Mulberry silk – The highest grade and most durable silk with natural hypoallergenic properties.
• Momme weight of at least 19 – Indicates thicker, better quality silk less prone to tearing or pilling.
• Dye-free – Skip chemical dyes which may irritate sensitive skin. Opt for undyed silk.
• Oeko-Tex certified – Means silk was processed without harmful chemicals. Ideal for sensitive skin.

I invested in a 25 momme weight mulberry silk sheet set certified by Oeko-Tex. While more expensive than other fabrics, they’ve lasted over 5 years thanks to proper care!

What thread count is best for silk sheets to help eczema?

While a higher thread count often indicates better quality with fabrics like cotton, that’s not necessarily the case with silk sheets.

Silk fibers are naturally smooth and long, so silk sheets don’t need a high thread count to offer softness and breathability.

For eczema, a thread count between 400-600 is ideal for 100% mulberry silk sheets. Higher counts beyond that don’t necessarily improve quality but do raise the price.

Ultimately, factors like momme weight and weave type impact silk sheet performance more than thread count when it comes to eczema relief.

How well do silk sheets stand up to nighttime scratching from eczema?

Quality silk sheets made from thick, durable mulberry silk hold up remarkably well to eczema scratching episodes at night.

I’ve even found my 19 momme silk sheets remain intact after inadvertent scratching with my nails.

The resilient silk fibers resist potential snags and tears better than more delicate fabrics like cotton or flannel.

However, very aggressive repeated scratching over the same spot may eventually damage silk sheets.

If you experience intense nocturnal scratching, opt for at least 22 momme weight silk sheets for added durability and protection.

Do silk sheets help with temperature regulation if you tend to sleep hot?

Yes, one of the advantages of silk sheets is that they help regulate body temperature very well all year round.

The breathable fabric allows airflow to disperse body heat, keeping you cooler on warm nights.

Silk also feels smooth against the skin rather than trapping heat and sweat like other fabrics. 

Since temperature fluctuations can trigger eczema flares, silk helps maintain a comfortable, stable environment for relief from itching and inflammation.

If you tend to sleep hot or have night sweats that aggravate your skin condition, silk sheets can make a big difference.

Conclusion – Should You Try Silk Bedding for Eczema?

If you struggle with the frustrating symptoms of eczema, I highly recommend giving silk sheets and pillowcases a try!

The ultra-smooth fabric creates an ideal sleeping environment for eczema-prone skin.

Silk bedding has made a world of difference for my eczema without any side effects. The science backing its benefits continues to grow as well.

While the investment in silk sheets is higher upfront, properly caring for them can make them last for many years.

Given the improvement to my sleep, skin, and quality of life, I think silk bedding has been one of the best purchases I’ve made as part of managing eczema naturally.

The relief silk provides makes the cost worthwhile.

I hope this article gave you a helpful overview explaining why silk is an excellent choice for eczema-prone skin.

Don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any other questions! I love helping fellow eczema sufferers discover solutions that provide real relief.