I am writing this article based on my personal experience using wet wrap treatments for my eczema. Back in 1998, I was suffering with whole body eczema, and was referred to a Dermatology Specialist at my local hospital. Upon examining the poor state of my skin, she recommended a short course of wet wrap treatment, a therapy commonly used on young children and babies. I had never heard of wet wraps before, so was keen to see what the treatment involved.
First: Moisturise the Skin
I was taken to a treatment room, where my whole body was covered in a mild steroid ointment. Ointment is a much more effective moisturiser than cream, as it is more effective at preventing moisture loss from the skin. Steroids should only be used under medical supervision, and it is much safer to use an ointment without steroids such as white soft paraffin, especially on children and babies. The issue with steroids is that the bandages will be applied over the top, so the absorption into the body is at a much greater level than normal and great caution must be taken.
Next: Apply the Bandages
The nurse then constructed a "suit" for me, made entirely from long lengths of light tubular bandage. She soaked each piece of bangage in lukewarm water before applying it to the skin. I had a single length of bandage on each leg, one on each arm, and a whole piece for my body. The sections were then connected together, as the nurse made small holes in the tubular bandage and used small ties made from thin strips of bandage to connect the arm and leg sections to the body piece. The wet bandage had an immediate cooling soothing effect to my hot, inflamed skin.
The nurse then constructed another bandage suit, but this time using dry bandage, and this went over the top of the wet bandage layer. I could then put on my normal clothes without fear of them getting wet or greasy. The bandage layers were not hot or uncomfortable to wear. In fact, the sensation was pleasant, as my skin was not dry or tight, and the itching had gone.
Living With Wet Wraps
It is important to have a spray bottle of water handy, as the bottom layer of bandage needs to be kept wet at all times to be effective. A person can do day to day activities perfectly well whilst wearing the wraps, as they are hidden by clothing.
Bathing can be a problem. The suit must be removed before bathing. It is not advised that you bathe every day when wearing the wraps, as it is very time consuming replacing the suit. The bandages can be washed and used again, but the grease can damage washing machines, so it may be best to soak or handwash them. I found that it took me about an hour to do the wet wrap technique on myself at home. It can be easier to buy cotton undergarments, such as vests and longjohns and use these for the wet layer rather than bandages.
Wet wrapping is only a short term treatment, and should only be done for one or two weeks at a time.
Advantage of Wet Wraps
Wet wraps are instantly cooling. They prevent the sufferer from scratching the skin and causing further damage. The bandage layer causes better absorption of moisturisers and steroids, making them more effective.
Personally, my skin really benefitted from this treatment. After two weeks, my skin was completely clear. I only had to use the technique once again, two years later, and ever since then, my skin has not returned to the poor state that it was in previously. This is a truly effective method of treating eczema short term and providing instant relief.
More information on wet wrapping is available from the National Eczema Society.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice .
Louise Jones - I have always enjoyed writing as a hobby, but started writing reviews online in February 2010 for Dooyoo, and later Ciao. In the beginning ...
Join the Conversation