When should you use wet wrap therapy?
Wet wrap therapy is a treatment for atopic dermatitis, the most common type of eczema. Doctors typically recommend wet wraps during severe eczema flares when there is severe pain or itch. Wet wrap therapy can help reduce itch and pain and provide some relief.
What is wet wrap therapy?
Wet wrap therapy is when fabric wraps are soaked in water and then applied to the affected skin on the body. This is followed by a secondary dry layer that is left on the skin for a long period of time.
For the best results, wet wrap therapy is typically done after bathing, moisturizing and applying topical medication (such as low to mid potency topical steroids). Doctors call this process of bathing and moisturizing for eczema the soak and seal method. Typically, you do the soak and seal method, followed by wet wraps. Wet wraps are best done in the evening before bed. It is best to leave wet wraps on for several hours or overnight, a loose-fitting layer is put on next, which is often pajamas or a sweatsuit, and it should not disturb the dressing.
For eczema on the feet and/or hands, you can use cotton gloves or socks for the wet layer with vinyl gloves or food-grade plastic wrap as the dry layer. Your healthcare provider can show you how to apply wet wraps on your face.
What are the benefits of wet wrap therapy?
Wet wrap therapy can be very helpful in rehydrating and calming the skin, thanks to the cooling, anti-itch effect. It can also help topical medications work better because the creams or ointments are better able to penetrate the skin.1 One study on using wet wrap therapy on children with severe eczema found that they saw an average 71% reduction in symptoms and maintained healthy skin a month afterwards.2
Can wet wrap therapy be used on all types of eczema?
Wet wrap therapy is considered most effective when someone has moderate to severe atopic dermatitis. In some cases, wet wraps may be recommended for people with dyshidrotic eczema and nummular eczema during severe flares.
Always check with your doctor before starting wet wrap therapy to make sure it’s the right course of treatment for you and suitable for your specific eczema type and severity. It’s also important to create a schedule and treatment plan to avoid over-use of wet wrap therapy.
Downloadable Guide: Soak and Seal and Wet Wraps
Get detailed instructions on how to do the soak and seal method and wet wraps in this downloadable step-by-step guide.
