There are numerous skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema or even urticaria (hives) that can be horrible and debilitating conditions that affect many people at some point in their life.
The itch can sometimes be unbearable to the point people can’t sleep and the rash itself is just a pain! Wet dressings come as a life saver to soothe and help cool the symptoms while moisturising the area to help heal the rash. Our dermatologists may prescribe you a certain medicated cream, ointment or just some moisturiser depending on the condition of concern. Either way wet dressings can help you! We have made this informative video on wet dressings to help our patients with the technique.
Method:
(1) Wet a crepe bandage with lukewarm water (you can add some bath oil into the water before-hand) and wring out excess water. You want it damp not dripping wet as you have to normally have the dressing on for a few hours! If suffering large areas on your body you can also use an old long sleeve cotton top or leggings and use these these as your “wet dressing.”(Much easier pulling on a stocking than wrapping a crepe bandage around)
(2) Apply medicated cream/ointment
(3) Apply Moisturiser over the top
(4) Apply wet dressing (either the crepe bandage or clothing)
You can put a pair of dry pyjamas/clothes over the top and sleep with it on for the night and by the morning you should be feeling better and had hopefully had a good night sleep! If you can only tolerate the wet dressings on your skin for a few hours at a time, that is fine too. It may take a few treatments to notice significant change however most of our patients notice a change in 24-48 hrs.
So next time you’re in to see one of our dermatologists for a skin concern, feel free to ask them if our nurses can show you how a wet dressing works and we would be happy to demonstrate for you!
