Acti-Fast Elasticated Viscose Stockinette 2-Way Stretch Blue – 7.5cm x 5m
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Overview
Acti-Fast Elasticated Viscose Stockinette is a soft, lightweight tubular bandage used as a retention and comfort layer in wound dressing and bandaging applications. The blue colour coding indicates a 7.5 centimetre width, designed for use on smaller limbs and body areas such as the lower leg, forearm, or paediatric limbs. The 2-way stretch construction allows the stockinette to conform closely to the contour of the limb or body area without bunching, folding, or creating pressure points, providing a smooth, comfortable surface beneath or over dressing layers.
Elasticated viscose stockinette serves several practical roles in wound management. As an under-layer, it protects the skin from direct contact with adhesive or more abrasive dressing materials and provides a smooth base for bandage application. As a retention layer over a primary dressing and padding, it holds everything securely in place without the need for additional tape or clips, reducing skin trauma on removal and making dressing changes faster and more comfortable for the patient. The viscose construction is soft against the skin, breathable, and gentle enough for use on sensitive or fragile skin.
The 5 metre roll provides ample material for multiple applications or a single extended dressing in a clinical setting. The colour-coded sizing system used across the Acti-Fast range allows clinical staff to quickly identify the correct width for the application without measuring, reducing preparation time. Whether you are a healthcare professional managing wound care in a community setting or a carer supporting a patient at home under clinical guidance, this stockinette is a reliable, professional-grade component in a complete dressing regimen. Browse our full range of dressings and bandaging supplies and our wider wound care products for complementary items.
How to Use Acti-Fast Blue Elasticated Viscose Stockinette
- Select the correct width. The blue 7.5cm width is designed for smaller limbs and body areas. As a general guide, 7.5cm is suitable for the lower leg in children, the forearm in adults, or other similarly sized areas. If in doubt, refer to the Acti-Fast sizing chart or consult your healthcare professional. Using a width that is too narrow will be uncomfortable and restrictive; too wide will not conform well or stay in place.
- Measure and cut the required length. Using clean scissors, cut the required length of stockinette from the roll. For a tubular application over a limb, the length should be approximately one and a half times the length of the area to be covered, to allow for folding back at the ends if required and for the natural shortening of the tube as it stretches around the limb.
- Gather the stockinette onto your hands or a stockinette applicator. Gather the cut length of stockinette up onto your fingers or thumb like a sleeve, or onto a stockinette applicator if available, to allow you to slide it smoothly over the limb in a single, controlled movement.
- Apply over the limb or dressing area. If using as an under-layer, slide the stockinette directly over the clean, prepared limb before applying the primary dressing and padding. If using as a retention layer, apply over the completed dressing to hold it in place. Ensure the stockinette is centred over the dressing area with sufficient overhang at each end.
- Smooth and adjust. Smooth the stockinette gently along the limb to remove any folds or creases. The 2-way stretch will allow it to conform closely to the limb contour. Ensure it is not so tight that it restricts circulation — you should be able to slide a finger underneath it comfortably.
- Fold the ends back if required. At each end of the application, the excess stockinette can be folded back over itself to create a neat, finished edge that helps prevent the cut end from rolling or fraying during wear.
- Check circulation after application. After applying, check that the limb beyond the stockinette is warm, that capillary refill is normal, and that the patient reports no numbness, tingling, or increase in pain.
Tips for best results
- Always use clean scissors to cut stockinette, and cut cleanly across the tube rather than at an angle to produce a neat, even edge.
- For patients with fragile skin, ensure the stockinette does not roll or bunch at the edges, as rolled edges can create localised pressure.
- Replace stockinette at each dressing change — do not reuse a removed length.
For guidance on wound dressing technique or selecting the correct bandaging materials, speak to a Pearl Chemist Group pharmacist or your community nursing team.
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How to Store Acti-Fast Blue Elasticated Viscose Stockinette
- Temperature: Store at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and sources of heat or excessive cold.
- Moisture: Keep dry. Store away from damp environments. Do not use a roll that has been exposed to moisture, as this can affect the stretch and integrity of the material.
- Original packaging: Keep the roll in its original sealed packaging until needed to protect it from dust and contamination. Once the packaging is opened, use the roll within a reasonable period and store in a clean, dry location between uses.
- First aid kit storage: When stored in a workplace or home first aid kit, ensure the kit is kept in a cool, dry location. Inspect the packaging periodically and replace any rolls that show signs of damage, discolouration, or contamination.
- Expiry: Do not use after the expiry date on the packaging.
- Keep out of reach of children.
Overview
Acti-Fast Elasticated Viscose Stockinette is a soft, lightweight tubular bandage used as a retention and comfort layer in wound dressing and bandaging applications. The blue colour coding indicates a 7.5 centimetre width, designed for use on smaller limbs and body areas such as the lower leg, forearm, or paediatric limbs. The 2-way stretch construction allows the stockinette to conform closely to the contour of the limb or body area without bunching, folding, or creating pressure points, providing a smooth, comfortable surface beneath or over dressing layers.
Elasticated viscose stockinette serves several practical roles in wound management. As an under-layer, it protects the skin from direct contact with adhesive or more abrasive dressing materials and provides a smooth base for bandage application. As a retention layer over a primary dressing and padding, it holds everything securely in place without the need for additional tape or clips, reducing skin trauma on removal and making dressing changes faster and more comfortable for the patient. The viscose construction is soft against the skin, breathable, and gentle enough for use on sensitive or fragile skin.
The 5 metre roll provides ample material for multiple applications or a single extended dressing in a clinical setting. The colour-coded sizing system used across the Acti-Fast range allows clinical staff to quickly identify the correct width for the application without measuring, reducing preparation time. Whether you are a healthcare professional managing wound care in a community setting or a carer supporting a patient at home under clinical guidance, this stockinette is a reliable, professional-grade component in a complete dressing regimen. Browse our full range of dressings and bandaging supplies and our wider wound care products for complementary items.
How to Use Acti-Fast Blue Elasticated Viscose Stockinette
- Select the correct width. The blue 7.5cm width is designed for smaller limbs and body areas. As a general guide, 7.5cm is suitable for the lower leg in children, the forearm in adults, or other similarly sized areas. If in doubt, refer to the Acti-Fast sizing chart or consult your healthcare professional. Using a width that is too narrow will be uncomfortable and restrictive; too wide will not conform well or stay in place.
- Measure and cut the required length. Using clean scissors, cut the required length of stockinette from the roll. For a tubular application over a limb, the length should be approximately one and a half times the length of the area to be covered, to allow for folding back at the ends if required and for the natural shortening of the tube as it stretches around the limb.
- Gather the stockinette onto your hands or a stockinette applicator. Gather the cut length of stockinette up onto your fingers or thumb like a sleeve, or onto a stockinette applicator if available, to allow you to slide it smoothly over the limb in a single, controlled movement.
- Apply over the limb or dressing area. If using as an under-layer, slide the stockinette directly over the clean, prepared limb before applying the primary dressing and padding. If using as a retention layer, apply over the completed dressing to hold it in place. Ensure the stockinette is centred over the dressing area with sufficient overhang at each end.
- Smooth and adjust. Smooth the stockinette gently along the limb to remove any folds or creases. The 2-way stretch will allow it to conform closely to the limb contour. Ensure it is not so tight that it restricts circulation — you should be able to slide a finger underneath it comfortably.
- Fold the ends back if required. At each end of the application, the excess stockinette can be folded back over itself to create a neat, finished edge that helps prevent the cut end from rolling or fraying during wear.
- Check circulation after application. After applying, check that the limb beyond the stockinette is warm, that capillary refill is normal, and that the patient reports no numbness, tingling, or increase in pain.
Tips for best results
- Always use clean scissors to cut stockinette, and cut cleanly across the tube rather than at an angle to produce a neat, even edge.
- For patients with fragile skin, ensure the stockinette does not roll or bunch at the edges, as rolled edges can create localised pressure.
- Replace stockinette at each dressing change — do not reuse a removed length.
For guidance on wound dressing technique or selecting the correct bandaging materials, speak to a Pearl Chemist Group pharmacist or your community nursing team.
N/A
N/A
How to Store Acti-Fast Blue Elasticated Viscose Stockinette
- Temperature: Store at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and sources of heat or excessive cold.
- Moisture: Keep dry. Store away from damp environments. Do not use a roll that has been exposed to moisture, as this can affect the stretch and integrity of the material.
- Original packaging: Keep the roll in its original sealed packaging until needed to protect it from dust and contamination. Once the packaging is opened, use the roll within a reasonable period and store in a clean, dry location between uses.
- First aid kit storage: When stored in a workplace or home first aid kit, ensure the kit is kept in a cool, dry location. Inspect the packaging periodically and replace any rolls that show signs of damage, discolouration, or contamination.
- Expiry: Do not use after the expiry date on the packaging.
- Keep out of reach of children.
FAQs
What does the blue colour coding indicate on the Acti-Fast range?
The Acti-Fast range uses a colour-coded sizing system to allow quick, accurate selection of the correct stockinette width without measuring. Blue indicates a 7.5 centimetre flat width, which is designed for use on smaller limbs and body areas such as the lower leg of a child, an adult forearm, or similar areas. The colour coding is standardised across the Acti-Fast product range, so once you are familiar with the system, selecting the correct size becomes fast and intuitive in a clinical setting.
What is elasticated viscose stockinette used for?
Elasticated viscose stockinette is used in wound dressing and bandaging as a retention and comfort layer. As an under-layer, it creates a smooth protective surface between the skin and dressing materials, particularly useful on fragile or sensitive skin. As an over-layer, it holds primary dressings, padding, and bandages securely in place without the need for adhesive tape, reducing skin trauma at dressing changes. The 2-way stretch allows it to conform closely to limb contours, providing a comfortable, secure fit that stays in place during normal movement.
Is this the same as a tubular bandage or tubigrip?
There are similarities but also important differences. Tubular bandages and stockinettes are all tubular fabric constructions designed to conform to limbs, but they differ in materials, stretch properties, and intended use. Elasticated viscose stockinette such as Acti-Fast is primarily used as a retention and comfort layer in wound dressing applications. Tubigrip is a specific brand of elasticated tubular bandage used primarily for supportive compression of soft tissue injuries such as sprains. They are not interchangeable for all clinical purposes — always use the product specified for the clinical application you are managing.
How do I know if the 7.5cm blue size is right for my patient?
The 7.5cm flat width (blue) is appropriate for the lower leg of a child, the forearm of most adults, or other areas of similar circumference. When applied, the stockinette should conform to the limb without being so tight as to restrict circulation or so loose as to bunch and slide. A useful guide is that once applied, you should be able to slide one finger comfortably beneath the stockinette without effort. For larger limbs such as an adult lower leg or thigh, a wider size in the Acti-Fast range will be more appropriate.
Can this stockinette be cut lengthways to create a narrower strip?
Cutting the stockinette lengthways is not a standard recommended practice, as it disrupts the tubular construction and the cut edges will fray and roll. The product is intended to be used as a tube in its manufactured width, cut only across its width to the required length. If a narrower width is needed for a specific body area, select the appropriate smaller size from the Acti-Fast range rather than modifying a wider product. Your Pearl Chemist Group pharmacist can advise on the correct size for your specific application.
Can I use this stockinette on a patient with fragile or elderly skin?
Yes, and elasticated viscose stockinette is often specifically chosen for patients with fragile or age-related skin changes, as it provides a protective layer that reduces the direct adhesion of dressing materials to delicate skin. The soft viscose construction is gentle on contact. The key precaution is to ensure the stockinette is not applied too tightly and that the cut ends do not roll and create a pressure ridge against the skin. For very fragile skin, check underneath the stockinette at each dressing change for any signs of skin damage or irritation at the edges.
Does Pearl Chemist Group stock the full Acti-Fast range in other sizes?
Yes. Pearl Chemist Group stocks wound care and bandaging supplies across a range of sizes to suit different clinical applications. Browse our full dressings and bandages range online or visit your nearest branch, where our pharmacists and healthcare team can advise on the correct size and product for your specific wound care or bandaging need. If you require a product that is not currently shown online, our team will do their best to help you source it.