Wet Wrap Therapy for Atopic Dermatitis - Eczema - Nemours Children's Health System

When kids have atopic dermatitis, which is a type of eczema, their skin is dry and itchy, and needs moisture. Using wet wrap therapy can help keep skin moist, help medicines on the skin work better, and protect the skin from scratching. Wet wraps are often recommended after a bath. Give your child a bath in warm, not hot, water. Use a gentle, cleanser if needed. Lightly pat your child’s skin dry, without rubbing. Within 3 minutes of getting your child out of the bath, apply any recommended creams and moisturizing ointments to the skin. Follow the doctor’s instructions for where each cream and ointment should be used, in what order they should be put on, and how long to wait in between each one. Next, you’ll put a warm, wet layer on your child. Soak a pair of form-fitting 100% cotton pajamas in clean, warm water. Wring them out so that they are not dripping. Put the wet pajamas on your child. Then put dry pajamas or clothes on over the wet ones. You can use cotton socks and gloves for eczema of the feet or hands. Instead of wet pajamas, some families use a layer of wet medical gauze. Coban adhesive wrap can then be used to hold a layer of dry medical gauze in place. Ask the doctor if you should rewet the wraps after a certain amount of time. If your child uses prescription creams or topical steroids, also talk to the doctor about how long the wraps should be left on. Wet wrap therapy can take a little getting used to, but it often helps skin feel better. Visit https://www.nemours.org/services/pedi... to learn more.