Foot eczema can be a tricky thing to manage; why not try wet wrapping as a strategy to get symptoms under control?
The same principles apply to wet-wrapping a sore, itchy foot as wet-wrapping anywhere else on the body - although it can be easier to use socks rather than bandages!
- Soak your feet in a bowl of warm (not hot) water for 15 minutes.
- Don’t use soap or body wash; add a little natural bath oil such as Balmonds Bath & Body Oil if you want.
- Pat your feet dry with a clean, soft towel; leave skin a little damp.
- Apply an emollient ointment thickly to the affected area (Skin Salvation is ideal).
- Soak, then wring out, your first layer of wraps.
- The damp wrap layer can be gauze bandages, tubular bandages or close-fitting thin cotton socks.
- Put on a dry top layer: this can be ordinary cotton socks.
- Leave on overnight, or for about 4 hours if using during the day.
- After 4 hours, take off both layers, and reapply moisturiser to the affected area.
- You can reapply clean wet wraps, and then clean dry wraps, if you like, or wait until the evening to wet wrap overnight.
Skin Salvation is an ideal ointment to use under wet wraps because it protects, moisturises and nourishes and is free from common irritants - and most importantly, is designed so it doesn’t sting sore skin when applied!
See our step-by-step guide to general wet wrapping here.
In this series of articles about wet wrapping, we’re focusing on using wet wraps with emollient creams, not with topical steroids. Always consult with a doctor or nurse if you’re using steroid creams as their potency may be increased when used under wet wraps and could damage the skin.