Effects of wet-wrap dressing on the epidermal barrier in atopic dermatitis

January 7, 2008

The therapeutic efficacy and mode of action of wet-wrap dressing was investigated in 10 patients (mean age 22 years) with severe form atopic dermatitis (AD). Wet-wrap dressings (4-5 layers of gauze hydrated with 0.9% saline) were applied for 8 h/day for 7-14 days. Immediately and 7 days post-treatment, SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index, corneum water content, transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and the lipid amount of the skin surface were measured.

Post-treatment SCORAD scores were significantly lower after wet-wrap dressing (p<0.01> vs. pretreatment). Moreover, epidermal water content significantly increased and TEWL was significantly decreased after wet-wrap dressing. There was a significantly increased release of lamellar body and recovery of damaged lamellar structures post-treatment. Neither keratinocyte differentiation nor changes in calcium ion gradient were detected (Lee, J.H. et al. JEADV 2007, 21(10): 1360-1368).
Source:
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