#Eczema-prone skin

What Is Wet Wrapping Therapy, And Can It Help Your Baby’s Eczema?

baby towel.jpg
Eczema flare-ups can be extremely painful for your baby, causing fussiness, loss of appetite, and sleep disruption. Moderate to severe eczema can have a significant impact on your child's quality of life. Fortunately, you can help soothe your child's skin during these episodes by using wet wrapping therapy.

In this article, the baby experts at Mustela explain what wet wrapping therapy is and answer your questions about whether it can help manage your child's eczema flare-ups.

About Eczema

It's normal to be concerned about your child's skin irritation and wonder what's causing it. Some symptoms of eczema to identify include red, crusty patches and itchy, rough skin. Eczema symptoms include inflamed skin that is prone to cracking or oozing. Your baby's skin may also become extremely itchy, keeping him or her awake for the majority of the night. 

Genetics may play a role in the eczema's underlying cause. So, if you or your spouse suffer from eczema, your child is likely to suffer from it as well. Another possible cause is a problem with the skin's barrier, which allows moisture in. If your child's skin isn't getting enough moisture, it may create the ideal eczema environment. 

It can be difficult to determine exactly what is causing your child's eczema. Food allergies and environmental changes, for example, can frequently cause flare-ups. It's a good idea to review this information so you can monitor your child's environment and reduce the severity of their eczema. 

Other eczema triggers include dry skin, especially in the winter, and any type of irritant, such as wool clothing, perfumes, body soaps, or laundry detergents. Stress, heat, and outdoor allergens are also on the list of potential triggers for your child's eczema.  

 

What is Wet Wrapping Therapy?

baby towel.jpg

 

Dry skin, especially in the winter, and any type of irritant, such as wool clothing, perfumes, body soaps, or laundry detergents, are also eczema triggers. Stress, heat, and allergens in the environment are all potential triggers for your child's eczema. 

You might be wondering when your baby's eczema will go away. The good news is that most infants outgrow their symptoms on their own. All you can do in the meantime is try to find ways to soothe your child's skin and alleviate their symptoms. Mustela's Eczema-Prone Skin Essentials, as well as other treatment methods like wet wrapping therapy, can be helpful. 

A gauze soaked in water and placed on your baby's skin is an example of a wet dressing. As a wet dressing, you could also use a piece of cotton clothing. Simply ensure that the piece is clean and, preferably, white. The wet dressing is typically applied over any topical product that has already been applied to the area. 

Apply Mustela's Stelatopia Emollient Balm underneath the dressing to help soothe irritated skin and reinforce the skin's moisture barrier for the best results with wet wrapping therapy. 

 

How Does Wet Wrapping Therapy Work?

Wet wrapping therapy can be used in a variety of ways. We'll show you how wet wrapping therapy works and how to use it. 

Allow your child to soak in the bath for 15-20 minutes after bathing with Mustela's Stelatopia Cleansing oil. 

  • Wet a wrap dressing and apply it to the affected area. 

  • Remove the wet wrap dressing after at least two hours, preferably overnight. 

  • After bathing your child, apply Mustela's Stelatopia Emollient Cream or Mustela’s Stelatopia Emollient Balm: Mustela's Stelatopia Emollient Cream will rehydrate your child's skin. 

  • Allow your child to sleep peacefully in 100% cotton pyjamas. 100% cotton pyjamas will soothe their skin and provide them with the much-needed night-time relief. 

If you want to target a specific area of skin after bathing, follow these steps: 

  • Warm water should be used to dampen a clothing. 

  • Wrap the dampened bandage around the affected area. 

  • Allow the dressings to remain on the affected area for several hours or overnight. 

In short, bathe your baby with a bath oil or cleansing gel, and emollient cream or an Emollient Balm to the affected area, all of which have been shown to provide soothing eczema relief for your child. 

 

A Note About The Importance Of What Your Baby Wears To Bed 

baby in pyjama.jpg

 

The clothing your child wears, especially while sleeping, is critical. After all, you don't want to put your child in something that will irritate their eczema-prone skin even more. Because if your child scratches constantly throughout the night, their skin will not be able to heal completely. 

It is also critical to protect your baby's skin from irritants. If your baby has eczema as a result of allergies, you should choose hypoallergenic pyjamas. 

 

Benefits Of Wet Wrapping Therapy 

We understand that night-time routines can be difficult, and we understand what you're thinking: wrapping a wiggly, active toddler in wet dressings after applying emollient cream seems nearly impossible. 

We're not saying it'll always be an easy task, but we are saying it'll be well worth it. The research on wet wrapping therapy is promising. Here are some of the advantages of wet wrapping therapy: 

  • Redness and inflammation are reduced.  

  • Provides a physical barrier against scratching by keeping it moist. 

  • Prevents further skin irritation 

  • Reduces itchiness, allowing for more restful sleep. 

  • Cools your child's skin 

  • Increases the moisture in your baby's skin 

  • Softens your child's skin (allowing the creams to better absorb into the skin) 

  • It has an anti-itch effect. 

In a few words, wet wrapping therapy can work wonders during particularly severe eczema flare-ups that involve severe itching or pain for your child. It will hydrate and soothe their skin. Wet wrapping helps eczema creams and ointments work better by adding moisture to your child's skin

Wet wrapping therapy usually provides relief within the first week. Skin absorbs moisture better, resulting in better absorption of a topical cream. 

 

Wet Wrapping Therapy: Summing It Up 

Eczema in your child is anything but comfortable. However, wet wrapping therapy has several advantages for your baby and can provide comfort even during the most severe eczema flare-ups. Wet wrapping therapy could be the solution. 

You can help your child finally find relief by following the steps above and incorporating Mustela' range of eczema skin care into your wet wrapping routine.