How to Stop a Child Scratching Eczema at Night

Nighttime can be one of the hardest parts of childhood eczema. A child may cope reasonably well during the day, only to become increasingly itchy once they are tired, warm and lying still in bed. Parents may hear scratching through the night, find blood spots on sheets in the morning or watch carefully moisturised skin become red and damaged again by sunrise. The frustration is not only that the child is uncomfortable. Repeated scratching can also damage the skin barrier, increase inflammation and make the next day more difficult.

It helps to understand that children are not scratching because they lack self control. Itching is a powerful physical sensation, and during sleep or drowsiness a child may scratch almost automatically. Simply telling them to stop is rarely enough. A better approach is to reduce the factors that intensify itching, support the skin before bed and make it harder for repeated scratching to cause additional damage. The goal is not perfect control every night, but a calmer environment in which the skin has a better chance to recover.

At Itch A Bye, we approach this through the Skin Trifecta of Repair, Nourish and Defend. Repair means reducing the physical damage that repeated scratching causes to the barrier. Nourish means supporting dry and vulnerable skin before the child settles for the night. Defend means helping the skin defend against bacteria, fungus and other microbes when scratching has made the barrier more vulnerable. Together, these principles provide a practical way to think about nighttime eczema rather than treating scratching as a behaviour problem.

Quick Answer: How Can You Reduce Eczema Scratching at Night?

Start by making the child as physically comfortable as possible before bed. Keep the room comfortably cool, use soft breathable sleepwear, keep fingernails short and smooth, and apply prescribed treatment and moisturising support according to the child’s care plan. Avoid overheating the child under heavy bedding. If itching becomes intense, a cool compress may help some children settle temporarily.

The most important principle is to treat the itch rather than simply fight the scratch. If a child continues waking repeatedly because of severe itching, or scratches until the skin bleeds, that is a sign the eczema may not be adequately controlled. Persistent sleep disruption deserves medical review. Nighttime scratching is not something families simply have to accept indefinitely. Appropriate treatment and supportive skincare can work together.

Why Does Eczema Often Feel Worse at Night?

Children with eczema commonly seem itchier at night for several reasons. During the day, activity, school, play and conversation distract the brain from skin sensations. At bedtime, those distractions disappear and itching can become much more noticeable. Heat can also build underneath bedding, and many children with eczema find warmth increases discomfort. Tiredness may make the sensation harder to tolerate as well.

There may also be biological changes across the day that influence skin and inflammatory activity. Parents do not need to understand every mechanism to recognise the pattern. The practical lesson is that nighttime creates a different environment from daytime. A skincare routine that works well during the afternoon may need more thought before bed. The evening should therefore be treated as its own period of skin support.

Step 1: Look at What Happens Before the Scratching Starts

Before changing the routine, watch when the scratching begins. Does it start immediately after the bath? Does it worsen once the child gets under a heavy doona? Does the child scratch most after a hot day, sport, swimming or an eczema flare? Is scratching concentrated behind the knees, around the neck, in elbow folds or over areas covered by tight clothing? These patterns can reveal what is adding to the itch.

Parents can easily focus only on the scratching itself. But the scratch is often the final part of a longer sequence. Heat may come first, then sweating, then itching, then scratching and finally barrier damage. If you intervene earlier in the sequence, the child may have less urge to scratch in the first place. This is more effective than relying on willpower after the itch has become intense.

Step 2: Keep the Bedroom Comfortably Cool

Heat is one of the simplest nighttime pressures to address. Children can become surprisingly warm under heavy blankets, thick pyjamas and heated bedrooms. For some children with eczema prone skin, overheating increases itching and sweating. This can lead to repeated scratching during the first part of the night. A cooler sleep environment may therefore make the skin more comfortable.

The room does not need to feel cold. The aim is simply to avoid excessive warmth. Use breathable bedding and adjust layers according to the season. If the child wakes sweaty, that is useful information. Heat may be contributing to the total load on the skin.

Step 3: Choose Soft, Breathable Sleepwear

Sleepwear stays in contact with the skin for many hours. Rough seams, tight elastic, synthetic fabrics and trapped heat can all increase irritation in a child who is already itchy. Soft breathable sleepwear is usually a better starting point. Loose clothing can also reduce friction over eczema prone areas. Comfort matters more than appearance.

Pay attention to where the child scratches. If itching is always worse around cuffs, waistbands, seams or tight sleeves, the clothing itself may be adding mechanical pressure. That does not mean every garment must be replaced. Start with the items worn for the longest periods. Nightwear is one of the most practical places to simplify.

Step 4: Keep Fingernails Short and Smooth

Short nails do not stop itching, but they can reduce some of the physical damage caused by scratching. A child may still rub or scratch during sleep, yet shorter nails are less likely to cut deeply into already vulnerable skin. File rough edges so that there are no sharp corners. Check nails regularly because they grow quickly. This is a simple Repair measure that can make a meaningful difference.

Young children may resist nail cutting, so making it part of the normal weekly routine can help. The purpose is not punishment. It is reducing the damage caused by unconscious scratching. Short nails do not replace good eczema control. They simply reduce one source of repeated barrier trauma.

Step 5: Support the Skin Before Bed

Dry skin tends to itch more, so the hours before sleep are an important time to support the barrier. If bathing is part of the evening routine, keep it short and lukewarm, gently pat the skin and moisturise promptly. If the child does not bathe that evening, assess whether dry areas need additional moisturising before bed. Follow any prescribed treatment plan exactly as directed. The aim is to prepare the skin before the high itch period begins.

This is where Nourish becomes central. The aim is to prevent the child going to bed with skin that already feels tight, rough and uncomfortable. Moisturising cannot eliminate every cause of eczema itching, but it can reduce one important source of discomfort. A calm barrier has a better chance of staying calm through the night. Consistency is more useful than crisis care.

Step 6: Do Not Overheat the Child After Moisturising

A common mistake is applying moisturiser, dressing the child in heavy pyjamas and then covering them with thick bedding. That may feel cosy, but it can create heat and sweating under the fabric. Some children begin scratching soon afterwards. The moisturiser may then be blamed even though overheating is part of the problem. Look at the complete bedtime environment.

Choose clothing and bedding that keep the child comfortable without trapping unnecessary heat. This can be especially important during warmer weather. If the child has recently bathed, the skin may already be warm. Give the body a chance to cool naturally before adding heavy layers. The goal is comfort rather than maximum warmth.

Step 7: Consider a Cool Compress for Intense Itching

A cool compress may provide temporary relief when a child has a particularly itchy area. Use a clean soft cloth with cool water, wring it out and hold it gently against the skin for a short period. Avoid very cold temperatures or ice directly on the skin. The goal is soothing, not shocking the skin. After the area is gently dried, moisturising support can be reapplied if appropriate.

This can be useful before bed when the child has one or two areas that are especially bothersome. It may reduce the urgency to scratch long enough for the child to settle. It is not a treatment for severe eczema or infection. If the skin is broken, weeping or painful, use professional guidance rather than repeatedly applying home measures. Significant changes deserve assessment.

Step 8: Break the Habit Loop Without Blaming the Child

Children can develop habitual scratching around areas that have been itchy for a long time. The sensation may trigger an almost automatic response, particularly when the child is tired or anxious. Parents can help by redirecting rather than scolding. Gentle pressure, patting around the area or using a cool cloth may be more useful than repeatedly saying stop scratching. The child should not feel they are doing something wrong.

For older children, teaching them to notice the urge before scratching can be helpful. They may learn to press the skin, apply moisturiser or ask for a cool cloth instead. This requires patience and repetition. The aim is not perfect behaviour. It is gradually creating safer responses to itching.

Step 9: Keep the Bedtime Routine Predictable

A predictable bedtime routine can reduce stress around both sleep and skincare. The sequence might be bath or shower, gentle drying, prescribed treatment, moisturiser, pyjamas and bed. Repeating the same order makes the routine easier to manage when everyone is tired. It also helps the child know what to expect. Skincare becomes part of bedtime rather than an emergency response to scratching.

For younger children, a song, story or quiet activity can distract them while moisturiser is being applied. Older children can participate more independently. Consistency matters more than making the routine elaborate. A calm routine reduces unnecessary conflict. The skin should not become the centre of family life every night.

Step 10: Reduce Friction from Bedding

Bedding can contribute to irritation if it is rough, heavily fragranced or traps too much heat. Soft sheets and breathable fabrics are often more comfortable for children who scratch at night. Avoid excessive layering when the room is already warm. Wash bedding in products the child tolerates. If fragranced laundry products appear to worsen the skin, simplifying them may help.

This is another example of reducing cumulative pressure. The bedding may not be the sole cause of itching. But if the skin is already vulnerable, even small sources of friction can add to the total load. Removing avoidable irritation gives the barrier more opportunity to recover. Small improvements can work together.

Step 11: Think About Laundry Products

Pyjamas and sheets spend hours against the skin, so residues from laundry products are part of the nighttime skin environment. Some children tolerate fragranced detergents and fabric products without difficulty, while others may find them irritating. If the skin repeatedly worsens after freshly washed bedding or certain clothes, consider simplifying the laundry routine. Fragrance free options may be worth trying. Observe the child’s individual response.

Do not change every household product in one day. Start with the items that touch the child for the longest period overnight. Keep the rest of the routine stable while you observe the effect. One change at a time gives you more useful information. Skincare should be practical rather than obsessive.

Step 12: Watch for Sweat During Sleep

Some children scratch because they become sweaty while sleeping. Sweat can collect in skin folds, behind the knees, around the neck and under clothing. Heat and moisture may increase discomfort in those areas. If the child wakes sweaty, consider lighter bedding, cooler room temperature or more breathable sleepwear. This can be especially relevant in summer.

Sweat does not mean the child has done anything wrong. It is simply another environmental pressure. The Skin Trifecta encourages parents to reduce these pressures where practical. If the skin is less hot and damp overnight, itching may become easier to manage. Small adjustments can sometimes produce a noticeable change.

Step 13: Think About the Evening Bath

For some children, a gentle evening bath helps settle the skin. For others, bath time may trigger itching if the water is too hot, the bath is too long or the cleanser is irritating. This is why Article 3 of this series focused on bathing technique. The quality of the bath matters more than the assumption that bathing is always helpful or harmful. Observe what happens after the child’s usual evening routine.

If scratching starts immediately after the bath, review the temperature, duration, cleanser, towel drying and moisturising stage. The itch may be part of the bath sequence rather than something that appears randomly at bedtime. Changing one step can sometimes improve the entire evening. Read How to Bathe a Child with Dry, Itchy or Eczema Prone Skin for the complete bathing routine. Bathing should prepare the skin for sleep, not provoke it.

Step 14: Do Not Ignore Severe Nighttime Itching

Repeated sleep disruption is not a minor issue. A child who wakes night after night scratching, crying or unable to settle may have eczema that is not adequately controlled. Poor sleep can affect mood, concentration, behaviour and family wellbeing. Parents can also become exhausted. This deserves proper medical attention.

If nighttime itching remains severe despite appropriate supportive care, speak with the child’s doctor or dermatologist. The treatment plan may need adjustment. There may also be infection, contact irritation or another contributing factor. Parents should not be expected to solve severe eczema only through home skincare. Medical care and supportive skincare can work together.

Step 15: Know When Scratching Has Broken the Skin

Scratching can create small cuts and open areas. Once the barrier is broken, the skin becomes more vulnerable. Look for increasing redness, pain, warmth, swelling, oozing, crusting, pus or blisters. These changes should not simply be covered with more moisturiser. They may indicate infection or another complication.

This is where the Defend principle becomes especially important. The aim is to help vulnerable skin defend against bacteria, fungus and other microbes by supporting the barrier and reducing repeated damage. But actual infection may require medical diagnosis and treatment. Defend does not mean treating infection with skincare alone. Knowing when to escalate care is part of responsible skin support.

Step 16: Consider Whether the Child Is Too Warm Before Sleep

The hour before bed can matter almost as much as the night itself. A child who has just had a hot bath, run around the house, worn heavy pyjamas and climbed under thick blankets may begin the night already overheated. Itching may then escalate quickly. Give the child time to cool down naturally. Keep the environment calm and comfortable.

This does not require a complicated cooling routine. It may simply mean a lukewarm bath, lighter pyjamas and fewer bedding layers. Watch the child’s behaviour. If they are flushed or sweaty before sleep, heat is likely contributing to discomfort. Removing that pressure may reduce the urge to scratch.

Step 17: Use Distraction During the High Itch Period

Some children experience their strongest itching during the first twenty to thirty minutes after getting into bed. Quiet distraction can help them through that period. A story, gentle music or another calming activity can shift attention away from the sensation. This will not remove eczema, but it can reduce the focus on itching while the child settles. Distraction works best alongside proper skin support.

Parents should avoid turning bedtime into a battle over scratching. The more attention and frustration focused on the behaviour, the more stressful the routine can become. A calmer response often works better. Support the skin, redirect the hands and help the child settle. The goal is comfort, not perfect obedience.

Step 18: Help Older Children Understand the Itch Scratch Cycle

Older children and tweens can begin learning why scratching makes the problem harder. Explain that the itch is real, but scratching damages the barrier and can make the skin itchier again. This gives them a reason to use alternatives rather than simply hearing another instruction not to scratch. They can learn to apply moisturiser, use a cool compress or ask for help. Education builds independence.

This also prepares children to manage their skin as they grow. The aim is not to make them anxious about every itch. It is to give them practical tools. A child who understands the cycle is better able to participate in Repair. Over time, the routine becomes more collaborative.

The Itch Scratch Cycle Explained Simply

The itch scratch cycle is one of the most important concepts in eczema care. The skin becomes dry or inflamed and begins to itch. The child scratches, which damages the barrier. That damage increases irritation and can create more itching. The child then scratches again.

Once established, this cycle can continue even after the original trigger has reduced. Nighttime makes it particularly difficult because scratching can happen almost unconsciously. Breaking the cycle means reducing itch, protecting the barrier and minimising the damage from scratching. No single step solves it alone. The system works best when several pressures are addressed together.

Repair: Reduce the Damage Scratching Causes

The first part of the Skin Trifecta is Repair. Nighttime scratching directly damages the physical barrier, so Repair means reducing that damage wherever possible. Short nails, soft clothing, less friction, cooler conditions and appropriate eczema management all contribute. Moisturising supports the barrier while prescribed treatment may be needed to control inflammation. Repair is therefore both protective and restorative.

Parents should not interpret Repair as a promise that scratches will disappear overnight. The barrier needs time and repeated support. The goal is to stop adding new damage faster than the skin can recover. A calmer night can therefore matter even if the eczema has not completely disappeared. Each reduction in scratching gives the barrier more opportunity to repair.

Nourish: Prepare the Skin Before Sleep

The second part is Nourish. Dry skin is often itchier skin, so the period before bed is a useful time to provide support. Moisturise appropriately and follow prescribed treatment where required. Do not wait until the child is already scratching intensely. Prepare the skin before the high itch period begins.

Nourish also means consistency. A routine used every night creates more stability than occasional crisis care. The skin should not have to become severely dry before support is provided. Simple, repeated care can make bedtime more comfortable. This is one reason Itch A Bye fits naturally into the evening routine.

Defend: Protect Vulnerable Scratched Skin

The third part is Defend. Scratching can create openings in the skin and increase vulnerability to microbial problems. The aim is to help the skin defend against bacteria, fungus and other microbes while avoiding harsh products that further strip the barrier. Keep damaged areas clean in a gentle way and reduce continued scratching where possible. Watch carefully for signs that the skin is behaving differently from ordinary eczema.

If there is increasing pain, heat, oozing, crusting or spreading redness, seek professional advice. Defend does not mean using stronger and stronger antibacterial products at home. It means supporting the barrier while recognising when actual infection may need medical treatment. Good defence includes knowing when skincare is no longer enough. Repair, Nourish and Defend work together.

Where Itch A Bye Baby Repair Cream Fits

Itch A Bye Baby Repair Cream can fit naturally into the evening skincare routine for dry, itchy and eczema prone baby and young children’s skin. It is made with all natural ingredients and plant botanicals and was developed around the Skin Trifecta of Repair, Nourish and Defend. Applied as part of the moisturising stage, it provides supportive care before the child settles for the night. The aim is to create a simpler routine rather than layer many different products onto vulnerable skin.

Itch A Bye is not positioned as a medical treatment for active eczema or infection. If your child requires prescribed eczema medication, continue following the treatment plan provided by their healthcare professional. Severe nighttime itching, infection or uncontrolled eczema deserves proper medical assessment. Supportive skincare and appropriate medical treatment can work alongside one another. The role of Itch A Bye is everyday support.

Why Nighttime Itching Can Change from One Week to the Next

Parents often notice that a child sleeps well for several nights and then suddenly starts scratching again. This can be confusing when the bedtime routine has not changed. The answer may lie in the wider threshold model. Several pressures may have accumulated around the child at the same time. Hot weather, poor sleep, swimming, illness, a flare and dry skin can all add to the total load.

This concept is explored more deeply in Beyond the Skin Barrier. The child may tolerate one or two pressures comfortably but struggle when several occur together. The moisturiser may not have failed. The bedtime routine may not have failed. The total pressure surrounding the skin may simply have increased.

Thinking this way reduces the temptation to throw out the routine and start again every time itching returns. Look at what else has changed. The most useful intervention may be cooling the bedroom, reducing swimming for a few days, adjusting treatment or addressing inflammation. The skin should be viewed as part of a wider pattern. This is the value of the threshold model.

Beyond the Skin Barrier

Our book Beyond the Skin Barrier explores persistent dry, itchy and eczema prone skin through the threshold model and a broader root cause framework. It looks at the skin barrier alongside immune signalling, microbiome development, the gut skin axis, food sensitivities and allergies, environmental loads and early life influences. The purpose is not to tell parents that every nighttime itch has a hidden internal cause. It is to explain why several pressures can interact.

Nighttime scratching is a perfect example. The visible behaviour may look like one problem, but underneath it can sit dryness, barrier damage, inflammation, heat, stress, sleep disruption and other influences. Repair, Nourish and Defend gives parents a practical framework for addressing the skin itself while the wider pattern is considered. This prevents the family from chasing one isolated symptom. The aim is to understand the system.

Eight Common Mistakes Parents Make with Nighttime Scratching

The first mistake is making the child too warm at bedtime. The second is using heavy or rough sleepwear that increases friction. The third is allowing nails to become long and sharp. The fourth is waiting until the child is already intensely itchy before moisturising. The fifth is repeatedly telling the child to stop scratching without addressing the itch itself.

The sixth mistake is assuming every bad night means the moisturiser has failed. The seventh is continuing to manage severe sleep disruption at home without reviewing the child’s treatment plan. The eighth is covering signs of possible infection with more skincare instead of seeking assessment. These mistakes are understandable because nighttime eczema is exhausting. But a calmer, more systematic approach usually provides better information.

How to Tell Whether the Night Routine Is Helping

Do not judge the routine only by whether the child stops scratching completely. Look at whether scratching becomes less frequent or less intense. Notice whether the child falls asleep more easily. Check whether the skin looks less damaged in the morning. Pay attention to whether the child is waking fewer times during the night.

Also consider the overall family experience. Is bedtime becoming calmer? Are there fewer battles around moisturising? Does the child seem less anxious about going to bed? These changes matter. The goal is comfort, sleep and better supported skin rather than a perfect night every time.

What to Do When the Routine Suddenly Stops Working

Return to the basics before changing everything. Ask whether the weather became hotter, the child swam more, an eczema flare has started, a new product was introduced or the bedroom became warmer. Consider illness, stress, sweat and scratching during the day. Look at the skin carefully for signs of inflammation or infection. Then decide which pressure is most likely to matter.

Keep the routine simple while you observe. Do not introduce five new products in one evening. If the child remains very itchy despite appropriate care, seek medical review. A treatment plan may need adjustment. Severe nighttime eczema should not become an endless cycle of trial and error.

When Should You See a Doctor?

Seek professional advice when nighttime itching repeatedly disrupts sleep, causes significant bleeding or skin damage, or remains severe despite appropriate skincare. Medical assessment is also important when the skin becomes increasingly painful, warm, swollen, rapidly red, weeping, crusted or blistered. A child who appears unwell alongside worsening eczema should receive prompt attention. Very young children with severe or unusual symptoms should also be assessed. Persistent sleep disruption itself is important.

You should also seek help when the family is becoming exhausted by the nightly cycle. Poor sleep affects more than skin. It can affect behaviour, concentration, mood and family wellbeing. A doctor or dermatologist can review whether the eczema is adequately controlled and whether the treatment plan needs to change. Parents do not need to manage severe nighttime itching alone.

A Simple Nighttime Routine to Remember

If you remember only one sequence, make it this: Cool. Moisturise. Soft clothing. Short nails. Calm bedtime. Keep the bedroom comfortably cool. Support the skin before bed. Use soft breathable sleepwear. Keep nails short and smooth.

Then remember the Skin Trifecta. Repair by reducing scratching damage and friction. Nourish by supporting dry and vulnerable skin before sleep. Defend by helping the skin defend against bacteria, fungus and other microbes when the barrier has been scratched or damaged. The aim is not to force the child not to itch. The aim is to make the skin less likely to drive the scratch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my child scratch eczema more at night?

Nighttime removes many of the distractions that compete with the sensation of itching during the day. Heat under bedding, tiredness and sweating may also intensify discomfort. Children can also scratch unconsciously during sleep. The result is that eczema may appear much worse at night even when the daytime routine has not changed. Supporting the skin and reducing heat before bed can help some children.

Should I put moisturiser on before bed?

For children with dry or eczema prone skin, moisturising before bed can be a useful part of the routine. Apply it after bathing if the child bathes in the evening, or to dry areas before bed if needed. Follow prescribed treatment instructions where the child has an eczema management plan. The aim is to avoid sending the child to bed with already dry and uncomfortable skin. Read How to Moisturise Your Child’s Dry Skin Properly for the complete moisturising guide.

What can I do instead of telling my child not to scratch?

Help the child respond to the itch in a safer way. Cool compresses, gentle pressure, moisturising and distraction may help. Older children can learn to recognise the urge and use alternatives before scratching. Keeping nails short also reduces some of the damage when scratching occurs. The emphasis should be on managing the itch rather than blaming the child.

Should my child wear gloves to bed?

Some parents use soft cotton gloves or mittens for younger children, but they are not suitable for every child and can become hot or uncomfortable. The priority is avoiding overheating and making sure anything worn is safe and age appropriate. Short, smooth nails and soft sleepwear may be sufficient for many children. If scratching is severe, discuss additional strategies with the child’s healthcare professional. Individual advice is important.

Why does my child wake up with scratched skin even when they went to bed calm?

Children may scratch unconsciously during sleep. Heat, sweating and normal nighttime changes in itch perception can also increase discomfort after the child has fallen asleep. The skin may therefore look worse in the morning even if bedtime seemed calm. A cooler sleep environment and well supported skin may reduce some of this pressure. Persistent overnight damage deserves medical review.

Can Itch A Bye be used before bed?

Yes. Itch A Bye Baby Repair Cream can be used as supportive skincare within the evening routine for dry, itchy and eczema prone baby and young children’s skin. It is made with all natural ingredients and plant botanicals and is built around Repair, Nourish and Defend. It should not replace prescribed treatment where medication or medical care is required. Follow your child’s healthcare plan.

When is nighttime itching serious?

Nighttime itching deserves professional attention when it repeatedly disrupts sleep, causes bleeding, produces significant skin damage or remains severe despite appropriate care. Pain, swelling, warmth, weeping, crusting or rapidly worsening redness also require assessment. A child who appears unwell alongside worsening skin symptoms should receive prompt medical attention. Poor sleep itself is also an important reason to review eczema control. Families do not need to simply tolerate severe nightly symptoms.

Does poor sleep make eczema worse?

Poor sleep and eczema can reinforce one another. Itching disrupts sleep, and tiredness can make coping with itching harder the following day. Stress and family exhaustion can also increase the overall burden of the condition. Improving nighttime comfort may therefore benefit more than the skin. Persistent sleep problems should be taken seriously.

What to Read Next

This is Article 4 in our How To Children’s Skincare Series. Start with How to Build the Best Skincare Routine for Children with Dry, Itchy and Eczema Prone Skin for the full framework. Then read How to Moisturise Your Child’s Dry Skin Properly and How to Bathe a Child with Dry, Itchy or Eczema Prone Skin for the two core routines that support bedtime skin care. Together, the guides build a practical daily system.

Our next guide will be Article 5: How to Help a Child with Eczema Sleep Through the Night. It will build on this article but focus more specifically on sleep itself, including bedtime routines, room temperature, bedding, pyjamas, scratching during sleep and what parents can do when eczema repeatedly wakes the child. Parents who want the deeper biological framework can explore Beyond the Skin Barrier, including the threshold model, immune skin connection, microbiome and gut skin axis. The goal throughout this series is to help parents move from reacting to every symptom towards understanding what the child’s skin is dealing with as a whole.