H.29 Eczema Relief

Over 31 million Americans struggle with eczema. Common treatments for managing eczema include over the counter and prescription medicine, wet wraps (fabric wraps soaked in water and applied to the

affected area), and lifestyle changes (“What Is Eczema?”). Dermatologists often recommend applying topical treatments to the skin and covering it with plastic wrap — an approach called occlusion therapy — which helps the medication absorb quicker and better into the skin. The plastic wrap functions as a

non-permeable moisture barrier and protects the medication from being wiped away, or as opposed to being absorbed by traditional gauze or bandages (“Saran Wrap: A Dermatologist’s Best Friend?”).

Occlusion therapy works well, depending on where the eczema flare-up is located. Wet wraps can also soothe severe eczema flares. But for eczema in areas that are more oddly-shaped like knees, elbows, and toes, wet wraps and the plastic wrap technique cannot be used properly because the application is difficult in those areas. The aforementioned methods are for flare-ups in areas more accessible on the skin.

The goal of this project would be to create an invention that individuals with eczema could use anywhere on the skin, especially in those unique areas. The invention would function the same as the plastic wrap, but in a more streamlined, customizable, user-friendly fashion. This would shorten the flare up’s lifespan in a more convenient way.