Wet Wrap Therapy
Wet wrap therapy, often known as WWT, is a treatment for itchy skin that includes fabric wraps consisting of gauze or surgical netting soaked in water. In addition to rehydrating and soothing the skin, these wraps create a physical barrier that prevents a person from scratching. Children may benefit more than other age groups from receiving this treatment. Recent studies have shown that wet wrap therapy in conjunction with topical corticosteroids for short-term treatment is more effective than creams or ointments.
It remains working long after the treatment is completed. WWT may also aid the skin in absorbing drugs, such as topical prednisone. Medication should be rubbed or patted into the skin, and a thick layer of moisturizer should be applied before the wraps are applied. Applying wet wraps is best done after bathing, hydrating, and applying medication. Wearing a cotton wrap dressing or gauze from a roll as the wet layer and pajamas or a sweat suit as the dry layer is recommended. Cotton gloves or socks can be used as the wet layer, while vinyl gloves or food-grade plastic wrap can be used as the dry layer to treat a rash on the feet and hands.
