QOD: Are there any new therapies to help my child with eczema?
A 2014 study published by National Jewish Health in Denver, Colorado, suggests that wet wrap therapy can effectively heal eczema in children with moderate to severe cases.
The children in the study soaked in a bathtub of warm water for 10-20 minutes, followed by their usual regimen of lotions, creams, and ointments. To seal in the moisture, the children were then wrapped in wet cloths and covered with a layer of dry clothes (or wet pajamas). The wet wraps were left on for two hours 2-3 times per day for two weeks, gradually reducing the wrapped areas to just the affected skin.
The children in the study had a dramatic improvement in their eczema symptoms. While parents should not attempt wet wrap therapy on their own, this may be an effective option for children with severe eczema under a doctor’s supervision.
Reviewed by Dr. Sara Connolly, January 2020
That’s interesting! My son had moderate eczema as a baby and even that was heartbreaking. He would scratch and sometimes the patches would bleed. It would be awful to have your child go through a severe case of it.