How I do a wet wrap treatment:
- Patients are asked to soak in a warm-water bathtub for 15 to 20 minutes (preferably) or to have a longer than usual warm shower.
- The skin is pat dry and steroid is applied to areas of eczema and moisturizer to the rest of the skin.
- Tubular dressing or clothes presoaked in warm water are wrung out so they’re not dripping wet and worn immediately.
- The wet dressings or clothes often make patients feel cold so I usually ask them to immediately lie on a bed lined with thick towels and I would cover them with a thick towel followed by blankets for extra warmth.
- They rest in bed for as long as possible. Many patients fall asleep because they feel very comfortable.
How does wet wrap treatment work?
- It hydrates the skin and improves the penetration of steroids.
- It reduces inflammation and itching.
- More importantly, I believe wet wrap treatment helps to restore the skin barrier, reduce water loss and makes the skin less sensitive to environmental irritants.
