Severe eczema can be a serious drag, especially when nothing seems to be providing relief. Although wet wrap therapy provides quick help for eczema sufferers, it is only a short-term solution and a serious undertaking. Dry wrapping is extremely easy to do and can be an excellent eczema wet wrap alternative for both mild to moderate eczema.
What is Dry Wrapping?
Unlike wet wrap therapy, which involves wearing damp clothing for 2+ hours, dry wrapping involves only moisturizing the skin with a natural eczema cream and covering it with a dry layer of clothing such as dry eczema wraps or mittens or gloves for an extended period of time, preferably overnight.
This eczema wet wrap alternative is more effective than just moisturizing the skin alone. Why? The dry layer protects the skin from outside contact (scratching and irritants) and helps emollients last longer.
What are Dry Eczema Wraps?
Dry wraps are either clothes or bandages used to wrap and protect eczema skin. Because eczema can be exacerbated from various clothing materials, you want to make sure you’re opting for clothing that is soft and made specifically with dermatitis in mind, like TENCEL, bamboo or cotton.
These dry wraps by Remedywear are made with TENCEL plus zinc and work great to soothe the skin. You can also dry wrap with items you already have at home such as pajamas, tube socks and more. Just make sure the clothing is form fitting. Loose clothing will rub against the skin and essentially remove your emollients.
What You’ll Need to Get Started
1. Find a nice emollient natural eczema cream. You can also search by eczema symptom for the best treatment options.
2. Choose a set of clothing or bandages/dressings, such as these dry wrap garments made specifically for eczema. You can also dry wrap on individual areas such as:
- Hand Eczema: Try using long white cotton tube socks or use these fitted bamboo gloves instead - for kids or for adults. (Read How to Treat Hand Eczema for more information.)
- Scalp Eczema: Use a set of gauze bandages or an infant hat like these if you’re little one is suffering from cradle cap.
- Leg Eczema: Use a set of bandages for the knees only or thin leggings to treat more of the legs.
- (Read How to Treat Eczema on Knees for more information.)
- Chest/Arm Eczema: Use a set of bandages or a thin t-shirt like these.
- Foot Eczema: Use thin white cotton tube socks or eczema socks like these.
- Groin eczema: Use a set of natural, organic cotton underwear or those made with TENCEL and zinc, all found in our allergy free underwear section.
How To Dry Wrap
Dry wrapping is so easy to carry out and very simple. You can choose to either dry wrap your entire body or you can wrap individual parts like hands, arms and legs, as indicated above.
Although this method can be carried out through the day, we suggest trying the process at night time, so that your eczema can be moisturized all night long. Another suggestion is to find dry wraps that you can wear underneath your daytime clothing for even more relief.
- Moisturize the skin with a natural cream or balm/salve of your choice, see our tips above. Make sure to apply the product liberally to areas of the body that need to be treated. (For an added boost, take a 20 minute bath in warm water first, no soap, towel dry leaving skin slightly damp. Then apply cream.) Once applied, skin should feel moist and well hydrated. If the skin is still dry, make sure to apply another layer of moisturizer before continuing onto the next steps.
- Cover the areas to treat with a form fitting, dry layer of clothing, as suggested above.
- Leave it for a minimum of two hours, overnight or all day is best.
- Repeat,if you’re able. Remove the dry layer every few hours, re-moisturize, and cover with the dry layer again.
Enjoy eczema relief and moisturized skin!
