METHODS

Design:

randomised controlled trial.

Allocation:

unclear concealment.*

Blinding:

blinded (scoring nurse).*

Follow up period:

1 month.

Setting:

a secondary care paediatric department at Fairfield General Hospital, Bury in Greater Manchester, UK.

Patients:

50 children 3–60 months of age who were diagnosed with moderate to severe atopic eczema according to Hanifin and Rajka criteria, and had a severity rating of moderate or severe according to the SCORing Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index (score ⩾ 15). Children with active skin infection at enrolment, previous allergic reactions to proposed trial treatments, or eczema predominantly on the face were excluded.

Intervention:

wet wraps (n = 28) or usual care (n = 22) for 4 weeks. Wet wrap bandages were initially applied 24 hours/day over …