Wrap therapy is a very effective approach to treating severe eczema that NIAID researchers studied during a clinical trial at the NIH Clinical Center from 2012 to 2017. The researchers found that this form of treatment reduced symptoms quickly and durably, decreasing the need for medication and improving sleep. This page describes the study, shows how wet wrap therapy is performed, and highlights its benefits.
Eczema patient plays video game.
Quality Sleep
Severe forms of eczema can significantly affect health and quality of life. One common problem is the inability to sleep through the night because of extreme itching. This has detrimental effects on both people with eczema and their caregivers. After two days of wet wrap therapy at the NIH Clinical Center, this young child with eczema is resting comfortably after sleeping through the night.
Eczema skin medicines.
Taking Fewer Medicines
Many people with severe eczema take multiple medications. These may include corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, antihistamines, and biologics. Immunosuppressants are very strong and can have serious side effects. Wet wrap therapy allowed this study participant to stop taking an immunosuppressant as well as antihistamines.
Eczema Wet Wrap Treatment.
Soaking Three Times a Day
One of the keys to wet wrap therapy is soaking in a lukewarm bath for approximately 15 minutes three times a day. This study participant is covered in wet towels to ensure that his skin remains moist. NIAID researchers determined that long soaks are vital to allowing topical medicines (applied after each bath) to penetrate the outer layer of the skin. In severe cases, bleach may be added to the water to combat skin infections.
Boy receiving eczema moisturizing treatment.
Applying Moisturizer
Once the soak is finished, the child’s skin is patted dry, leaving it a little moist. Then, topical medicine is applied to the body. A milder medicine is applied to the face. This is followed by a generous application of an unscented moisturizer to the affected areas of the body.
Boy receiving Wet Wrap Treatment.
Wrapping the Skin
Once the child’s skin has been treated with topical medicine and moisturizer, it is time to apply the wet wrap, which keeps the creams in contact with the skin. Here, to cover the majority of the body, the child is dressed in his pajamas, which also have been soaked in warm water. The rest of his skin is covered by wet gauze. The child then dresses in dry clothes and wraps up in blankets to stay warm. The wrap is worn for about two hours. The wrap may also be worn overnight, depending on the severity of the condition.
Eczema patient with his mother.
Empowering the Caregiver
The NIAID researchers who studied wet wrap therapy focused not only on bringing study participants’ symptoms under control, but also on training caregivers to continue treatment at home.
Eczema management plan.
Planning for Flare-Ups
This is an example of an eczema management plan that researchers gave study participants during the NIAID clinical trial of wet wrap therapy. The color-coded sections helped caregivers identify the severity of eczema flare-ups and begin the proper treatment. This plan and in-depth training are critical elements in the success of wet wrap therapy.
Before and after eczema treatment.
Improving Dramatically
A five-day treatment regimen with wet wrap therapy can produce dramatic results. It can greatly reduce eczema symptoms for several weeks to months. But the therapy is not a cure. In most cases, people will experience periodic flare-ups that need to be treated.
NIAID’s study of wet wrap therapy is part of an ongoing effort to better understand the causes of eczema and develop new strategies to prevent and treat the disease.