Wound Care Plan

Venous Eczema – wet dressings

Last Updated
19 May 2025
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Quick Overview

Reference ID Number: TWS-WCP-64

Categories

Venous Eczema

Scope of Practice (ScOP) Designation

Medical Officer,Registered Nurse (RN),Enrolled Nurse (EN)

Treatment Goals

Reduce eczema and allow restoration of dermis

Aim of Dressing

Reduce inflammation of the dermis whilst protecting the legs from further infection

Frequency of Dressing Change

Everyday

Consult(s) / Diagnostic Test Required

Dermatology review

References

Shopping List

Dressing Pack (Small),Normal Saline,Soap-free Wash,Corticosteroid cream,Dermeze Ointment (500g)
Page Table of Contents

    Product Selection Disclaimer:

    The wound care products being currently used are a suggestion ONLY. They do not take into account your patient's individual needs which you must assess. No funding from medical companies has been provided and wound care products are chosen on their merit and what is available on the NSW Health State Wound Care Contract. Where an exact brand name product is not available we suggest you review the alternative tab or use another wound care product from its category eg. Hydrofibre

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    Care Plans

    Venous Eczema

    Patient was admitted with large amounts of blisters with pitting oedema in both legs. Patient's dermis was inflamed with epidermis looking macerated and peeling off. Dermatology was asked to come and review patient and formulate a dressing plan..

     Swipe 
    Step 1

    Daily tepid showers

    Please use a soap free wash. Some brands include QV wash and Cetaphil wash.
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    Step 2

    Apply topical corticosteroid cream

    This will need to be prescribed by a medical team. Allow the cream to be absorbed for 10min before continuing to step 3.
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    Step 3

    Apply a moisturiser

    Such as Dermeze ointment to the whole body. Make sure to apply in downward strokes to avoid disrupting the fragile dermis layer
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    Step 4

    Cotton towel soaks

    Wet cotton pyjamas or soak towels uner running hot water and squeeze/wring out. ** There is a fine line between the cotton pyjamas or towels being too hot OR once arrived and have placed them over the patient too cold and the patient become too cold over time**
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    Step 5

    Place cotton towels on patient

    Put wet pyjamas or soaked towels over the creams (if in hospital - use 2 cotton white gowns, one frontward and one back to front over wet pyjamas or towels)
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    Step 6

    Keeping the patient warm

    Use blankets over thermal reflective blankets to aid in the keeping the patient warm through their body heat. **Consider a bear hugger if in a hospital setting **
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    Step 7

    Leave for 1-2 hours

    After 1-2 hours remove everything and then dress as per normal. DO NOT have a shower to remove excess creams
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    Step 8

    Repeat

    Repeat daily for 2 -3 days or until condition has improved
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    Step 9

    WARNINGS

    Look out for signs of hypothermia
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