What should you know about wet wrap for dry skin?

The damp inner layer cools the surface and helps emollient stay in contact with the skin. A dry outer layer helps hold it in place and limits evaporation. Wet wraps are sometimes used for severe flares of [Atopic Dermatitis](/conditions/atopic-dermatitis/) and may be considered when ordinary moisturising is not enough. Dry, cracked skin can also have causes such as [Asteatotic Eczema](/conditions/asteatotic-eczema/) or [Psoriasis](/conditions/psoriasis/).

Follow a clinician's instructions about the emollient, fabric, area, and wear time. Apply moisturiser to clean, slightly damp skin, place a clean damp cotton layer over it, and add a dry layer without wrapping tightly. Keep the person warm and check the skin regularly. Use clean materials each time and stop if the skin becomes colder, more painful, swollen, or irritated. [Emollient Therapy](/treatments/medical-dermatology/emollient-therapy/) remains part of daily care.

Ask for medical advice when dry skin is widespread, fissured, bleeding, or interfering with sleep despite regular care. Remove the wrap and seek prompt assessment for increasing warmth, pus, crusting, fever, rapidly spreading redness, or marked pain, because infection may be present.

Ask which moisturiser is suitable, whether any prescribed medicine belongs beneath the wrap, how often to change it, and what changes mean you should stop.