When an eczema flare leaves your skin hot and itchy, a good night’s sleep is hard to come by. If you are hunting for the best blankets for eczema, you are in the right place.
This article covers blankets that stay cool and breathable, including cooling comforters, cotton and muslin throws, and weighted options. I also cover smooth, gentle sheets, with the downsides of each pick named so you do not waste your money.
Our Recommended Blankets for People With Eczema
So, let’s get right to it. Here are some of the best blankets for eczema.
REST Evercool Cooling Comforter
Introducing the REST Evercool Cooling Comforter, a remarkable solution for individuals seeking a cooling comforter to help manage their eczema symptoms. This innovative product features hypoallergenic and antibacterial properties, making it ideal for those with sensitive skin or allergies, including eczema sufferers.
The comforter’s high thermal conductivity fabric wicks away moisture and sweat while allowing air to circulate, providing a cool and comfortable sleeping environment. This is particularly beneficial for individuals with eczema, as a cooler environment helps prevent overheating and irritation, which can trigger eczema flare-ups.
The maker says the fabric pulls heat and sweat away. I have not tested it myself, so check the reviews from hot sleepers. Its lightweight design is meant to keep you cool through the night.
For a more in-depth look, I encourage you to read my detailed product review of the REST Evercool Cooling Comforter.
This comforter may suit you if overheating at night is your problem. Its mix of hypoallergenic fabric, breathability, and cooling technology is aimed at a more comfortable night’s sleep.
Bedsure Cooling Cotton Blanket
This all-natural blanket is made from a blend of cotton and bamboo. It’s described as hypoallergenic, which is why it’s a good option for eczema. Not only is the blanket breathable, but it can also absorb moisture, so you may not get as sweaty during the night. That may help keep your skin more comfortable.
Twin, queen, and king-size blankets are available. If you’re looking for a blanket you can use when lounging around the house, electric throw blankets are also an option. The blanket is available in several neutral shades and has a waffle pattern, giving it a distinctive and appealing look.
It’s safe to put this blanket in the washer or the dryer, making it easy to care for. If you’re looking for a soft and versatile blanket that you’ll be able to use throughout the year, this is an affordable and appealing option.
Love's Cabin Cotton Muslin Blanket
The best material for skin contact for people with eczema is 100% cotton, according to eczema.org. The Love’s cabin Muslin Blanket is made of exactly that: 100% natural cotton muslin.
It has 6 layers of gauze, which makes it breathable and gentle on sensitive skin. The listing also describes it as moisture-wicking, which matters if night sweats set off your itching.
It is thicker than standard muslin but still lightweight. It is meant to keep you comfortable in any season without feeling heavy.
The king size measures 108 x 90 inches, so it is plenty wide for a bed. It comes in sage green, along with beige, white, black and grey.
Muslin gets softer and more elastic with each wash. That is a real plus for sensitive skin, since a new blanket can feel a little crisp at first.
It also works as a couch throw, a travel blanket, or a layer over your comforter. If you like to feel the weight of a blanket, though, this is not that. It is light by design, and weighted blankets are a better fit for that.
If you run cold, plan to pair it with a comforter. Gauze is airy, and on its own it may not be enough in a chilly room.
Inhand Cooling Blanket
This is a thin cooling blanket made for hot sleepers. It uses an arc-chill cooling fiber that is meant to absorb body heat and lower skin temperature by 4 to 9℉.
The front side is 100% cooling nylon, which is the side that feels cool to the touch. The reverse side is a breathable material meant for comfort through the whole year, so you can flip it depending on how warm your skin feels.
During an eczema flare-up, the cool side can be a gentle place to rest hot, irritated skin. When you are ready to sleep, you can turn it over if you would like a different feel against you.
It is Oeko-tex Standard 100 certified, which means the fabric has been tested for harmful substances. That matters when a blanket sits right against sensitive skin. It is also sold for hot flashes and night sweats, not just eczema.
This one is the Queen size (90″x90″) in gray, and it comes in four options in all.
One thing to know: nylon feels different from cotton. If you like the soft, natural feel of cotton on your skin, you may prefer to keep a cotton sheet between you and the blanket. And because it is a thin blanket, it is not the right pick if you want something warm and heavy for a cold room.
If you would like a thicker, heavier option with the same cooling idea, the Elegear Arc Chill Cooling Comforter is worth a look.
Bedsure Summer Cooling Blanket
This is a thin summer blanket from Bedsure, made with a rayon derived from bamboo. It is built for people who sleep hot, and that matters with eczema, since heat is a common trigger for itching.
It has two different sides. One side uses a cooling fabric that feels cool the moment you touch it. The other side is a rayon from bamboo blend, which is the one to put against your skin when you want breathability more than that chilly first feel. Bedsure says the fabric is twice as breathable and absorbent as cotton, and it carries a Q-Max rating of over 0.4, a measure of how cool a fabric feels on contact.
The fabric is knitted and described as smooth and soft. It comes in a king size of 108×90 inches, so there is room to spread out and still tuck it in.
As for the downsides, this is a warm-weather blanket. On a cold night you will want a comforter on top, or a different blanket altogether. A cool-to-the-touch fabric can also feel like a shock at first if you run cold. And if your skin reacts to certain fabrics, try a small area before you commit to sleeping under it every night.
Your Moon Mulberry Silk Comforter
This is a silk comforter, not a thin blanket. The filling is 100% mulberry silk (6A grade, long-strand), and the shell is 100% cotton. It comes in white, in queen size at 90 x 90 inches, and the silk filling weighs 3.5 pounds.
Silk is known for helping with temperature. It absorbs moisture and wicks away sweat, which matters if heat and night sweats set off your itching. The maker says it suits both hot and cold sleepers and works in every season, so you may not need a second bedding set for winter.
The cotton shell is described as noiseless, with none of the crunching sound some comforters make when you move. It also isn’t meant to feel as heavy or stuffy as a down or cotton comforter. Long-strand silk is less likely to knot up, which helps the filling last.
The trade-off is that this is a comforter, so it works best with a duvet cover or as your main top layer. It comes in queen only, so it won’t fit a twin or king bed well. Silk bedding also usually needs more careful washing than a basic blanket, so read the care instructions before you buy.
Mr. Sandman Cooling Weighted Blanket
Some people find that weighted blankets help them sleep better, and a sleep study looked at their effect on insomnia. You may also find the gentle pressure feels soothing at night.
The Mr. Sandman Cooling Weighted Blanket is a queen size, 60″x80″, and weighs 15 pounds. It is filled with glass beads, which spread the weight evenly across your body.
It is reversible, so you can use it year-round. One side is made for warmer months and the other for cooler conditions. The maker describes the material as safe for sensitive skin, which matters when your skin flares easily.
One side is embossed with dots, so it has a bit of texture to it. It is also machine washable, which makes it easy to keep clean.
For choosing a weight, the usual rule is about 10% of your body weight. This one is 15 pounds, so it suits people around 150 pounds. Check with your doctor first if you have breathing, circulation or mobility problems, and make sure you can easily slide it off by yourself.
A weighted blanket is also heavy to move around. If you have trouble lifting or pushing blankets off, or you can’t easily shift it when you get hot, this may not be the right pick. Check with your doctor or therapist if you are unsure.
You can see more cooling weighted blankets here.
Hillfair Combed Cotton Blanket
It’s important to look for quality cotton when buying a cotton blanket; quality is definitely what you’ll find here. These blankets are made from premium, certified organic cotton yarn. They’re colored with natural fiber-reactive dyes, which means the blanket shouldn’t irritate the skin.
This blanket is light enough to keep you cool during the night, but it’s thick enough to keep you warm when temperatures drop. You can use it as a bed topper or layer it over a duvet. It’s a beautifully-made blanket that you can use and enjoy year-round.
The blanket comes in a reusable cotton tote bag, making it an especially nice gift. If you’re buying this blanket yourself, you’ll be glad to know that it’s machine washable and that it can be tumble dried on low.
Yescool Weighted Blanket
The Yescool weighted blanket is a 20 pound blanket in queen size (60″ x 80″) with glass beads sewn inside. It’s made for adults who weigh about 190 to 210 pounds, following the common rule of picking a blanket near 10% of your body weight.
The weight is steady, gentle pressure. You may find it helps you settle and lie still, which can mean less scratching in the night. It’s described as cooling and breathable, which matters when heat makes the itch worse.
The beads sit in 5″ x 5″ squares held by tight stitching, so they stay in place instead of shifting or leaking out. That’s good to know if you’re sensitive to anything loose or scratchy against your skin.
One thing to know about the size: the queen fits right on top of the mattress without hanging over the sides. It may look smaller than you expect. It’s meant for one person, though it can fit a couple.
It’s machine washable, which makes it easier to keep clean when you’re dealing with flaking or irritated skin.
Who it’s not for: if you weigh well under or over that range, you’ll want a different weight. And if you can’t stand any pressure on your body, even a light weighted blanket may feel like too much.
Smooth Finishes and Fitted Sheets That Stay Put
Your skin spends the night against whatever is on the bed, so how the fabric feels matters as much as what it is made of. A silky, smooth finish lets the sheet glide over you instead of dragging across your skin.
That glide cuts down on friction, which is what sets off the itch-scratch cycle. Satin-smooth bamboo and sateen weaves are good examples.
Rough fabric can also come from wear and tear, so a sheet that was smooth when new may not stay that way. Sheets that resist pilling help here, since those little balls of fuzz can make skin itch.
Fit matters too, though I would be guessing if I told you a certain pocket depth was the right one. A fitted sheet that stays flat on your mattress gives you less bunching and fewer wrinkles to lie on.
Lighter sheets also tangle less, which means less rubbing as you turn over in the night.
One trade-off: a silky finish on its own does not make a sheet right for eczema. You still want it to be breathable and to wick sweat, so check for all three.
Bed Sheets for Eczema: Soft, Smooth, and Low Friction
A blanket is only part of your bed. The sheets touch your skin all night, and rough ones can set off a flare-up that keeps you awake. Fabric that is rough from wear or from the way it was made can trigger one, and so can sheets that trap heat and leave you sweaty.
Here is what to look for in sheets.
Soft. Anything your skin touches in bed should be soft. Rough bedding can start a flare-up on its own.
Smooth, with little friction. Sheets that glide over your skin instead of rubbing it are much less likely to start the itch-scratch cycle. Silky sateen cotton and bamboo viscose are the kinds of fabric that do this well.
Sensitive skin from nerve pain also does better with smooth fabric, and I cover soft lightweight sheets for neuropathy with deep pockets in another article.
Good at holding a steady temperature. Sheets that keep you cool on warm nights and warm on cool ones help your body stay at an even temperature. Overheating is common with eczema, and heat can leave your skin feeling worse, so anything that cuts down on temperature spikes helps.
Moisture-wicking. Sweat can trigger itching and scratching. Wicking sheets pull moisture and that clammy feeling away from your body and keep you dry.
Light. Sheets should cover your skin lightly, not press on it. Lighter sheets also get less tangled.
A few kinds of sheets fit these points:
- Organic cotton sateen, certified organic, is hypoallergenic and smooth. It tends to get smoother with washing.
- Bamboo viscose is silky, breathable and wicks moisture. Bamboo is naturally hypoallergenic and antimicrobial, and some bamboo sheets are softer than many premium cotton ones.
- Long-staple cotton that is certified free of over 350 harmful chemicals suits you if you are sensitive to chemicals.
- Polyester microfiber is the same sort of fabric used in athletic wear. It wicks sweat well and resists pilling, which matters because those little balls of fuzz can make skin itch.
For more on choosing linens, see the guide to the best bedding for older adults.
One trade-off: polyester is the only fabric here that is not a natural fiber, so if you want cotton or bamboo against your skin, it may not be the one for you.
Sleep & Beyond Organic Cotton Sheet Set
The Sleep & Beyond Organic Cotton Sateen Sheet Set is made from 100% organic, long-staple cotton. It comes in Classic Ivory, in a twin size that fits mattresses up to 18 inches deep.
Cotton breathes, which matters when heat makes itchy skin worse. These sheets are described as smooth and soft, and they get softer with each wash. They are also made without unhealthy chemicals, which is worth knowing if your skin reacts easily.
The deep pockets and reinforced elastic help the fitted sheet stay put, so you aren’t left with bunched-up fabric under you at night. The cotton is also wrinkle-resistant, so there is less ironing to do.
One trade-off: sateen has a smooth, silky weave, and some people find it holds a little more warmth than a plain cotton weave. If you sleep very hot, you may prefer a lighter, crisper weave.
Saatva Organic Cotton Sheets
These are Saatva’s organic cotton sheets, made from 100% certified organic cotton in a 300 thread count sateen weave. Sateen has a smooth, silky feel, which matters when rough fabric is what sets off your itch.
Full size and larger comes with a flat sheet, a fitted sheet, and two pillowcases. The fitted sheet has deep pockets that fit mattresses up to 16 inches high, so they suit thicker mattresses or ones with a topper. Twin, Queen, and King sizes are offered.
Care is simple: machine wash cold on a gentle cycle with like colors, no bleach, and tumble dry on low. Skip the bleach and hot dryer settings anyway if your skin is touchy.
The trade-off is that sateen is a smoother, denser weave than percale, and it can sleep warmer. If heat is what sets off your flare-ups, a crisp, airy weave may suit you better.
Peachskin Greige Sheet Set
The Original PeachSkinSheets Breathable Sheet Set in Greige (the color is called Toasted Marshmallow) is a full set. It includes a fitted sheet, a flat sheet, and two pillowcases with envelope closures. Twin sets come with one pillowcase, and Split King sets come with two fitted sheets.
The fabric is made to be very breathable and to wick away moisture. That matters with eczema, because sweat and trapped heat are common triggers for itching at night. These sheets are meant for someone who wakes up damp or overheated and wants something between the skin and the blanket that lets heat out.
You can pay with an HSA or FSA card. Choose that option at checkout and check your eligibility first.
The trade-off is that this is a full set, so it makes sense mainly if you want to replace your whole bed’s sheets. If you only need a new blanket, it won’t help much. Wash a new set once before you sleep on it, since some people with eczema react to anything fresh from the package.
TABLE: Comparison of Cooling Blanket Materials
| Material Name | Material Properties | Cooling Ability (1-10) | Affordability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton | Soft, breathable, natural fiber; good moisture-wicking abilities | 7 | Affordable |
| Bamboo | Soft, eco-friendly, hypoallergenic, and antibacterial; excellent moisture-wicking | 8 | Expensive |
| Microfiber | Lightweight, synthetic material; soft and moisture-wicking | 6 | Inexpensive |
| Linen | Durable, natural fiber; breathable and moisture-wicking; gets softer over time | 8 | Expensive |
| Tencel | Eco-friendly, made from wood pulp; soft, breathable, and moisture-wicking | 7 | Expensive |
| Outlast (PCM) | Phase-change material (PCM) designed to absorb, store, and release heat | 9 | Expensive |
| Gel-Infused Fiber | Fibers infused with cooling gel; temperature-regulating and moisture-wicking | 9 | Expensive |
| Polyester | Synthetic material; less breathable than natural fibers but still moisture-wicking | 5 | Inexpensive |
| Blended Fabrics | Combination of natural and synthetic fibers; varied breathability and moisture-wicking | 6-8 (varies) | Varies |
| Please note that the cooling ability ratings and affordability categories are subjective and may vary depending on the specific product and brand. This table should be used as a general guideline for understanding the properties of different materials used in blankets. | |||
Wrapping Up
Eczema can be difficult to deal with, especially when you’re trying to sleep at night. Resting is hard when you’re coping with dry and itchy skin. A cooler, smoother blanket may help you sleep more comfortably. If flare-ups keep waking you, check with your doctor or dermatologist.
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