What are Ichthopaste bandages used for?
How do Ichthopaste bandages work?
Ichthopaste bandages are impregnanted with two active ingredients, ichthammol and zinc oxide.
Ichthammol prevents the excessive hardening and thickening of the skin which is seen in conditions such as eczema. It is not fully understood how it works, but it somehow prevents the process by which skin cells become thickened due to the deposition of a protein called keratin (keratinisation). It also has a mild antiseptic effect and can reduce itching.
Zinc oxide has astringent properties and plays a role in wound healing.
Ichthopaste bandages are used to treat a range of eczematous skin conditions. They may be applied over topical corticosteroid creams and ointments to help manage chronic eczema affecting the legs or arms. The bandages help the corticosteroid to be absorbed into the skin, as well as reducing itching and helping prevent infection.
Ichthopaste bandages can also be used in the treatment of leg ulcers, when a protective barrier is required for thin and fragile skin. The bandages reduce itching and help the ulcer to heal. They may be covered with a compression bandage to help blood circulation when the ulcer is caused by varicose veins or poor circulation.
How is this bandage used?
- Ichthopaste bandages should be used as directed by your doctor.
- Ichthopaste bandages are usually used on the legs, starting at the base of the toes. The bandage should be wrapped loosely around the heel and foot and then spiralled up the leg to the knee.
- Once the bandage has been wrapped around the leg it can be smoothed and moulded around the leg and then covered with another bandage to help prevent it touching and soiling clothes. The second bandage may be a compression bandage if treating leg ulcers caused by poor circulation.
- Ichthopaste bandages can be changed when needed, but can be left on for up to seven days.
- The bandages do not dry out and can be easily removed.
Important information about Ichthopaste bandages
- Avoid using this bandage on severely damaged skin.
- Ichthammol in this bandage may stain fabric that comes into contact with it.
- Do not re-use the bandages.
- Compression bandages should not be used on top of this bandage in people who have poor blood circulation in the arteries of their legs.
Ichthopaste bandages should be used with caution in
- People with diabetes.
Ichthopaste bandages should not be used in
- People who are allergic to any ingredient.
This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.
If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.
- There are no known harmful effects when these bandages are used by pregnant or breastfeeding mothers.
Possible side effects of Ichthopaste bandages
Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Just because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
- Skin irritation.
The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the medicine's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.
How can Ichthopaste bandages affect other medicines?
This bandage will increase the absorption of other medicines that are applied to the skin underneath it, for example creams and ointments containing corticosteroids, anaesthetics or retinoids. This can increase the risk of side effects from these medicines. This bandage should only be used over the top of skin treated with other medicines if this is advised by your doctor.
Other medicines containing the same active ingredients
There are currently no other bandages available in the UK that contain ichthammol and zinc oxide as the active ingredients.
Creams containing ichthammol and zinc oxide are available from special order manufacturers or specialist importing companies.
For background information about our medicine factsheets, including the references used to produce them, click here.