Viscopaste

What is Viscopaste?

Viscopaste is a medicated bandage containing 10% zinc oxide. It’s designed for comfortable, pain-free dressing changes, as it doesn’t dry out. It’s commonly used to soothe irritated and inflamed skin in conditions like dermatitis.^[1]

Dermatitis is an umbrella term for a range of skin conditions that involve inflammation of the skin. Other symptoms that are usually associated with dermatitis are dry, itchy and sometimes cracked and sore skin. There are multiple types of dermatitis (sometimes called eczema), like sebborhoeic, contact or discoid dermatitis.^[2]

Atopic dermatitis or atopic eczema is the most common form of dermatitis. The term ‘atopic’ refers to sensitivity to certain allergens or environmental factors like pollen, dust, detergents or cold weather. It comes and goes in cycles, with symptom-free periods followed by flare-ups. During flare-ups, your skin may become dry, itchy, cracked and sore.^[3]

How does Viscopaste work?

Viscopaste is a topical treatment for skin conditions like dermatitis and atopic eczema. The main ingredient is zinc oxide at a concentration of 10%. When applied under a bandage, it works to cool and soothe your skin, providing relief from itching and discomfort.

Zinc oxide has been used for thousands of years to help with wound healing due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. It alleviates redness and irritation, and gives your body’s natural healing processes a boost by topping up your zinc levels in the affected area.^[4]

And by acting as a barrier that prevents direct access to your skin, zinc oxide bandages help break the itch-scratch cycle.^[5] The itch-scratch cycle refers to the following repetitive pattern: when you itch, you can’t resist scratching, but that only makes the itch worse, so you keep scratching, and it goes on and on.

What doses of Viscopaste are there?

There’s only one dose of Viscopaste: 10% zinc oxide impregnated on a cotton bandage. Each pack of Viscopaste contains one bandage, measuring 7.5 centimetres wide and 6 metres long. If you have smaller areas to treat, you can cut a patch of the bandage to the right size.

How to apply Viscopaste

When applying paste bandages, it’s important to do so carefully, as they can tighten while they dry. Leaving some extra room ensures they stay comfortable as they set.

For larger areas of affected skin on your legs, follow these general guidelines to apply the bandage:

1. Start by washing your hands.
2. Open the pack and pull out the bandage.
3. Begin at the base of your toes and gently wrap the paste bandage around the ball of your foot or your heel. Smooth it down as you go. Make sure to create little folds after each turn to keep it comfy.
4. Keep going up your lower leg, over your knee, all the way to the top. Smooth and fold the paste bandage as you wind it in a clockwise/anticlockwise pattern.
5. Once you’re done, secure the paste bandage with a dry bandage.
6. If you need to bandage your toes, you can use smaller strips of paste bandage for each digit. Mould them to fit comfortably.

For larger areas of affected skin on your arms:

1. Wash your hands.
2. Get the pack open and pull out the bandage.
3. Start at your hand and work your way up your arm. Wrap the paste bandage around your wrist and smooth it out. Create little folds after each turn for extra comfort.
4. Continue the bandage journey up your arm and over the elbow. Smooth it out and keep reversing the winding direction (clockwise/anticlockwise) with each turn to make pleats.
5. When you’re done, keep it all in place by adding a dry bandage.
6. If your fingers are in on the action, use smaller strips of paste bandage to fit each digit as comfortably as possible.

If you need to apply the bandage on skin patches:

1. Start with clean hands.
2. Open the pack and get the bandage ready.
3. Cut a piece of the bandage that’s just the right size for your skin patch.
4. Gently apply it to the skin, making sure it’s secure.
5. Lock it in place with a dry bandage, like a tubular bandage or cotton garments.

Regardless of where you apply the bandage, make sure it’s tight but don’t apply too much pressure, as this might cause discomfort or restrict blood circulation.

Hxow long can Viscopaste be left on your skin?

The Viscopaste bandage is typically meant for one-time use and you can usually leave it on your skin for up to a week. Keep in mind though that the exact duration may change depending on your treatment plan and skin condition.

Are there situations when it’s not recommended to use Viscopaste?

Yes. Avoid using paste bandages around the neck, face, or torso to prevent any risk of suffocation. Also, if you suspect or have a skin infection (whether it’s bacterial, fungal, or viral), it’s best not to use paste bandages. In these cases, ask your clinician for advice.

Plus, if you have any sensitivity or allergies to the ingredients found in Viscopaste bandages, which include purified water, glycerol, cetomacrogol, white oil, xanthum gum, guar gum, cetostearyl alcohol, propyl p-hydroxybenzoate and methyl p-hydroxybenzoate, it’s best to avoid using them.