Wet Wrapping to Help Manage Eczema Flare

Wet wrapping is a complementary treatment used to alleviate eczema symptoms such as itchiness, inflammation, and redness. The technique involves applying a moisturizer, wet bandages, and dry bandages to affected areas.

Wet wrapping creates a layer of protection over patches of eczema, which helps to relieve symptoms while promoting skin healing. You can use wet wrapping in combination with other eczema treatments.

Read on to learn more about the benefits of wet wrapping to treat eczema, how to do it, and possible side effects.

You can include wet wrap therapy in your eczema treatment plan to manage flare-ups and ease symptoms. The treatment provides a soft layer of protection that may improve comfort, prevent skin damage, and increase the effectiveness of topical medications. It also locks in moisture and protects against irritants, allergens, and microbes.

Wet wrapping helps to soothe, calm, and rehydrate skin during moderate to severe eczema flares. It also reduces skin damage by preventing itching, scratching, and picking. This is especially beneficial for people who subconsciously scratch at night. Wet wraps work to cool the skin, which also makes them helpful for people who overheat at night.

Wet wrap therapy is commonly prescribed for children, and it has shown to be effective for adults as well:

Before starting wet wrap therapy, talk with a healthcare professional. They can teach you the correct technique, tell you how often to do it, and advise you on which type of topical product to use.

You can use products such as coconut oil, apple cider vinegar, and hydrocortisone creams to treat eczema. Other options include petroleum jelly, essential oils, and witch hazel. Do not use a topical steroid cream without your doctor’s recommendation and supervision.

You can use the following materials for dressings:

For hands and feet, you can use cotton gloves or socks for the wet layer. For the dry layer, use vinyl gloves or food-grade plastic wrap.

Here are the basic steps of wet wrap therapy:

Wet wrapping to treat moderate to severe eczema is generally well tolerated. However, there are a few potential risks and side effects to consider.

Covering the skin increases the potency of topical treatments, which may make them more effective. However, a doctor must closely monitor the process, especially if you’re using topical steroids.

Emollients (moisturizers) form a layer of protection that seals in moisture, but it can also collect microbes, oil, and irritants, which can cause breakouts and infection. Wet wrapping creates a warm, damp environment that supports bacterial growth and may cause an infection to spread.

Do not wet wrap if you have any sign of a bacterial, fungal, or viral infection. Watch out for signs of infection such as painful, inflamed, or blistered skin. If your eczema suddenly changes or worsens, stop using wet wraps and reach out to a healthcare professional.

It’s also possible to have an allergic reaction to emollients, especially if you have sensitive skin. Before using any new product to treat eczema, do a skin patch test.

Here are the steps you can take to do a skin patch test:

There are also specially made, tight-fitting clothing and wraps for children and adults. They can help make the process a bit easier, especially if you or your child moves around a lot at night. Products made by Soothems and AD RescueWear, for example, can be purchased online.

Wet wrapping may help to manage moderate to severe eczema flare-ups by protecting, moisturizing, and calming sensitive skin. You can use wet wrapping alongside natural remedies including acupuncture, deep breathing techniques, and meditation.

Consult a healthcare professional before beginning wet wrap therapy and if you experienced any adverse reactions once you begin treatment. Do not use topical steroids without a doctor’s recommendation.