Paste Bandages

What are paste bandages and how do they work?

Paste bandages are soaked in zinc oxide or zinc oxide plus ichthammol. These ingredients make the bandage soothing and cooling which helps to relieve itching and soreness. Paste bandages have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. By keeping the skin covered, paste bandages assist in breaking the itch-scratch cycle due to the barrier it provides in direct access to the skin.

At The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust the most commonly used paste bandages are Viscopaste PB7 (contains zinc oxide) or Ichthopaste (contains zinc oxide and Ichthammol). These can be used for arms and legs or on individual patches. Paste bandages can be messy so they need a bandage over the top to keep them covered and in place.

How do you apply paste bandages?

There is a special way to apply paste bandages because as they dry they can become tighter. Therefore, extra room is needed to make sure they remain comfortable. This technique should be demonstrated to you by a healthcare professional in the department.

Leg Application (National Eczema Society, 2018)

Wash your hands.
Open the pack and remove bandage.
Start at the base of the toes and wrap paste bandage around the ball of the foot or heel, smoothing it into place. After each turn, reverse the direction of the winding to form a pleat.
Continue up the lower leg and over the knee to the top of the leg, smoothing the paste bandage into place and reversing the direction of the winding (clockwise/anticlockwise) with each turn to make a pleat.
Secure the paste bandage in place with a dry bandage, such as CLINI fast Tubular Bandage.
If the toes are affected, small strips of paste bandage can be wrapped around individual digits and moulded for comfort.

Arm Application (National Eczema Society, 2018)

Wash your hands.
Open the pack and remove bandage.
Start at the hand and work up the arm. Wrap the paste bandage around the wrist, smoothing it into place. After each turn, reverse the direction of the winding to form a pleat.
Continue up the arm and over the elbow, smoothing the paste bandage into place and reversing the direction of the winding (clockwise/anticlockwise) with each turn to make a pleat.
Secure the paste bandage in place with a dry bandage, such as CLINI fast Tubular Bandage.
If the fingers are affected, small strips of paste bandage can be wrapped around individual digits and moulded for comfort.

Patch Application

Wash your hands.
Open the pack and remove bandage.
Cut an appropriate size patch and apply directed to the skin.
Secure in place with dry bandage, such as CLINI fast Tubular Bandage. Alternatively secure in place with Cotton Garments.

What are the possible side effects of paste bandages?

Sometimes paste bandages are put on after a topical corticosteroid has been applied; this intensifies the topical corticosteroid treatment. A healthcare professional should always discuss your treatment plan with you before using paste bandages and topical corticosteroids together.

If you have problems with your circulation you should always let a healthcare professional aware before starting treatment. It may be that a Doppler ultrasound is required to check the blood flow through the arteries and veins

Paste bandages should not be applied around the neck, face or torso to avoid suffocation.

When should paste bandages not be used?

Paste bandages should not be if you suspect or have a skin infection (bacterial, fungal or viral). If infection is suspected your doctor or specialist nurse should be contacted.

If you are sensitive to any of the ingredients paste bandages should not be applied.

Useful sources of information

National eczema society

British Association of Dermatologists (BAD)

DermNet NZ

NHS – Atopic eczema

For Further Information

Medicines Information Patient Helpline:

Tel: 0191 282 3016. Available 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays). This helpline is available for patients of the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals, to answer any questions they may have regarding their medicines.