Paste bandages and wet wraps

A picture of a child's hand that is wrapped in a bandage.

Paste bandages and wet wrapping techniques using medical-grade viscose garments or viscose tubular bandages in conjunction with other topical eczema treatments, especially emollients (medical moisturisers), can help to break the itch–scratch cycle, protect the skin from damage, and control flare-ups in moderate to severe eczema. Bandaging and wrapping should only be used under the supervision of your healthcare professional.

How does wet wrapping work?

In wet wrapping, warm, wet tubular bandages are applied to the body over a generous layer of emollient and sometimes a mild or moderately potent topical steroid (topical steroid under wrapping should only be used under the supervision of your healthcare professional). A dry layer of bandage is then placed over the wet layer. Wet wraps are particularly helpful at night (when overheating can be a problem) as they also cool the skin.

How do paste bandages work?

Paste bandages for eczema come impregnated with ingredients that soothe the itch and calm irritation. There are several types of paste bandages available, such as icthopaste (includes ichthammol to soothe the itch and zinc oxide for added moisture), viscopaste (includes zinc oxide) and Zipzoc (also includes zinc oxide), which is more like a stocking than a bandage. Paste bandages can be used for whole limbs or patches of eczema to which a normal amount of emollient and prescribed topical steroid is applied (topical steroid under paste bandages should only be used under the supervision of your healthcare professional). Since paste bandages are messy, secondary bandages are necessary – these also help to hold the paste bandages more securely in place.

CAUTION: Covering up the skin makes topical treatments more potent, so you should only use topical steroids under bandages and wraps as advised by your healthcare professional. Do not use paste bandages or wet wraps if your skin is infected.

Read the FAQ’s below for more information on paste bandages and wet wraps.

Who is it for?

Bandages and wet wraps can be used for adults and children. With children, bandages and wet wraps can be used to cover the whole body whereas adults tend to use them only over patches of eczema.

FAQ’s

It’s important that the patient is first assessed by a healthcare professional familiar with bandaging and wrapping as part of an eczema management routine – for example, a GP, practice nurse, or children’s community nurse with a special interest in eczema, or someone from the dermatology team. Together you can decide if this approach would be beneficial for you or your child.

Your healthcare professional should demonstrate the correct use of either paste bandages or wet wraps (you would try one at a time) and provide you with ongoing support regarding their application alongside your other eczema treatments.

Paste bandages are available as:

Bandages (including a stocking bandage called Zipzoc) impregnated with a paste containing zinc oxide
Bandages impregnated with a paste containing zinc oxide + ichthammol

Varicose garments are available as:

Viscose garments for eczema are made from medical-grade viscose, with polyamide and elastane for added stretch. They are available in different sizes and as various items of clothing. Manufacturers are:

Clinifast
ComfiFAST
Skinnies
Tubifast

Viscose tubular bandages include:

Viscose tubular bandages – like the garments – are made from medicalgrade viscose, with polyamide and elastane for added stretch. They also come in different widths: red line (3.5 cm), green line (5 cm), blue line (7.5 cm), yellow line (10.75 cm), beige line (17.5cm); ActiFast and Tubifast are available in purple line width (20 cm). Manufacturers are:

ActiFast
Clinifast
ComfiFAST
Tubifast

Related Downloads ⁽²⁾

PDF

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Bandages and wet wraps guide

A practical guide to using bandages and wet wraps to manage eczema.

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Supportive, practical information for adults managing eczema, based on the latest research and regularly reviewed by doctors and nurses.