Moist wraps against neurodermatitis

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MunichNeurodermatitis is one of the most common skin diseases in children. The symptoms are usually treated with special lotions or anti-inflammatory agents such as cortisone, depending on their severity. But there is an alternative that does not have any side effects: the use of a moist compress also helps effectively against the symptoms, US researchers have now been able to show in a study.

With neurodermatitis, also called atopic dermatitis, the skin is dry, itchy and flaky - the suffering of those affected is therefore often very high. In the case of acute attacks, therefore, usually only strong medication can provide relief - which, however, are often accompanied by undesirable side effects. A research team led by study author Mark Boguniewicz from the Jewish Health Center in Denver has therefore re-examined a therapeutic approach that had already been discovered in 1987: namely the treatment of affected skin areas with moist compresses.

Wrapped up for two hours

For their study, the scientists collected data from 72 children with an average age of four years - all of them suffered from moderate to severe atopic dermatitis. First, the children bathed in warm water for 20 minutes - then the affected and still moist areas of the skin were immediately applied with cream. Finally, the scientists wrapped the young participants' itchy areas with wet swaddles and put them on dry clothes - in this way they kept the skin from drying out. After two hours, the children were allowed to take off the diaper again. This procedure was then repeated daily over a period of one month. In addition, the children were not treated with anti-inflammatories during the study period, although 31 percent of them were treated with antibiotics.

71 percent fewer complaints

The results were astonishing: after just four weeks, the symptoms had decreased by an average of 71 percent. And even after another month without medication like cortisone, her skin was healthier. "The moist compresses should be applied two to three times a day, depending on how severe the skin disease is," explains Boguniewicz. After just four days, the examinations showed a clearly positive effect.

Don't try it yourself

However, the researchers point out not to start such therapy yourself. “This procedure requires a certain technique. In addition, if used too often, moist compresses tend to be bad rather than good, ”warns Boguniewicz. It is better to learn this technique with professional help, such as a dermatologist.

Atopic dermatitis can suddenly go away

Atopic dermatitis is a widespread skin disease that can heal at any time. Usually this happens during puberty. Even so, around 30 percent of adults who suffered from atopic dermatitis in their childhood continue to show symptoms occasionally or have sensitive skin. If neurodermatitis does not go away during puberty, the relapses in adulthood are usually less pronounced than in childhood. (jb)

Source: Boguniewizc M. et al .: “Wet Wrap Therapy in Children with Moderate to Severe Atopic Dermatitis in a Multidisciplinary Treatment Program”, The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice. 09/25/2014.

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