PHOENIX (Nov. 12, 2026) – A new study being presented at the 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) adds evidence that atopic dermatitis (also known as eczema) in children is associated with sleep disturbance.
Eczema is often thought of as just a skin problem, but our findings suggest it is associated with a child's overall well-being, particularly their sleep," said Samantha Sundermeier, DO, lead researcher and ACAAI member. "We found that children with eczema were more likely to have a diagnosed sleep disturbance, and the relationship was similar whether they also had a mental health condition or other allergic conditions. This highlights the importance of asking about sleep, not just skin symptoms, when caring for children with eczema."
Eczema causes dry, itchy, inflamed skin and is one of the most common skin conditions in children. Allergists have long known that eczema can disrupt sleep, but most past research only looked at small groups of children, often from specialty clinics. To learn more, researchers reviewed the health records of more than 26,000 children, from birth to age 21, who visited a primary care clinic between January 2024 and January 2026. They looked for diagnoses of eczema, sleep problems, other allergic conditions (like asthma or hay fever), and mental health conditions.
What They Found
• About 15% of the children had eczema.
• About 10% had a diagnosed sleep problem.
• Children with eczema were more likely to also have sleep problems than children without eczema. About 12% of children with eczema had a sleep problem, compared with about 10% of children without eczema.
• The connection between eczema and sleep problems was similar whether or not a child also had a mental health condition or other allergic conditions like asthma or hay fever.
Poor sleep in children can affect mood, learning, behavior, and overall quality of life. Because eczema is so common, doctors who catch sleep problems early may be able to help children feel and function better. The researchers suggest that medical professionals who treat eczema should ask families about sleep whenever a child is being treated for eczema. Catching sleep issues early could lead to better treatment plans and better outcomes for kids.
