Zinc oxide dressings

These can be especially useful for treating itchy conditions of the lower legs, eg gravitational eczema and lichen simplex. Topical treatments, eg emollients and corticosteroids, are first applied to the skin, and the dressing put on top. There are two main types of dressings:

The ZIPZOC ® technique - the most practical technique. The ZIPZOC is a stocking impregnated with an ointment containing 20 % zinc oxide. Advice given to the patient is as follows:

• Slip your foot into the stocking and draw it up the lower part of the leg from the base of the toes to below the knee
• Smooth out any folds or wrinkles, folding any excess stocking below the knee
• An outer bandage (eg a tubular bandage) should be put on top to stop the ZIPZOC from slipping down the leg and/or to prevent soiling clothes
• A new ZIPZOC should be used once the existing one has dried out 
  

The Viscopaste ® PB7 paste bandage technique - as shown in the video clip. Once the bandage has been applied then an outer bandage, eg a tubular bandage, should be pulled over the Viscopaste dressing, another option is a Coban bandage. The bandages should be replaced once or twice a week.