Nighttime itching is one of the most frustrating parts of living with psoriasis — and you're definitely not alone in dealing with it. Studies suggest that between 70% and 90% of people with psoriasis experience itching, and sleep disturbances affect over 85% of those with psoriasis.
As one MyPsoriasisTeam member put it Show Full Answer
Nighttime itching is one of the most frustrating parts of living with psoriasis — and you're definitely not alone in dealing with it. Studies suggest that between 70% and 90% of people with psoriasis experience itching, and sleep disturbances affect over 85% of those with psoriasis.
As one MyPsoriasisTeam member put it: "My face is killing me today, all red, tight, and itchy. I'm now on day four of barely sleeping. I feel so itchy, and it's 10 times worse at night." When scratching leads to skin splitting and bleeding, it's partly due to how psoriasis works — skin cells pile up faster than they shed, making the skin fragile. Scratching can break tiny blood vessels just beneath the surface, causing pinpoint bleeding. This is actually a known phenomenon called the Auspitz sign.
Broken skin from scratching can also make flares worse and increase the risk of infection, so it's worth trying to manage the itch before it gets to that point. Here are some approaches that may help with nighttime itching and scratching:
- Ask your doctor about antihistamines at night — A sedating antihistamine like hydroxyzine may reduce nighttime scratching and help with sleep
- Moisturize regularly — Keeping skin hydrated can reduce dryness and irritation that worsens itching
- Keep nails short — This can minimize skin damage if scratching happens during sleep
- Use a humidifier — Dry indoor air can make itching worse, especially at night
- Talk to your dermatologist about itch-specific treatments — There are medications designed to target the inflammation driving the itch
One MyPsoriasisTeam member shared: "I've been prescribed an antihistamine to take before bed, and I've been sleeping better."
Always check with your doctor before starting anything new, especially if your skin is cracking and bleeding regularly — they may want to adjust your treatment plan.
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