Zinc oxide tape is a robust tape widely used for strapping in the medical industry, as well as by athletes and sports physiotherapists. It gets its name from the zinc oxide-based adhesive that coats the back of a non-stretch cotton woven cloth tape. Zinc oxide tape has natural antiseptic properties and is strong enough to provide effective support to joints that need to be immobilised either to protect an injury or to prevent possible damage in the first place. Zinc oxide adhesive is skin-friendly and stays in place firmly for extended periods.
Zinc oxide tape’s strong adhesive backing is very sticky, so it attaches easily to skin, dressings, padding, and back onto itself, making the application secure and sturdy. The tape’s tight-weave cotton fabric is breathable and lightweight but is specially formulated to be rigid and non-stretchy. This combination ensures that zinc oxide tape is easy to apply, even to hard-to-reach areas, but provides immediate and consistent support to joints, even when a patient is moving around.
To maximise its benefits, it’s important to know how to apply zinc oxide tape. It can be applied directly to the skin with ease to secure dressings, protect verrucas and blisters, or protect joints and digits through immobilisation.
Due to its durability and versatility, there are many zinc oxide tape uses. Zinc oxide tape is commonly used by sports treatment professionals (eg in Athletic Rehabilitation and Injury Prevention), physiotherapists, and medical professionals, whether tending to emergencies or providing hospital care.
