Kendall Wet-Pruf Waterproof Cloth Medical Tape

Kendall Wet-Pruf is a waterproof cloth medical tape designed for secure dressing fixation in outpatient, home care, and clinical settings. Its high-tensile-strength cloth backing is coated to repel moisture and oil, keeping dressings firmly in place even when the site is exposed to water during bathing or showering.

Manufactured by Cardinal Health under the trusted Kendall brand, Wet-Pruf delivers aggressive adhesion on intact periwound skin and resistant surfaces where standard paper or non-waterproof cloth tapes lift prematurely. Available in four widths — ½”, 1”, 2”, and 3” — each on a 10-yard roll to suit a wide range of dressing sizes and clinical applications.

Key Features

• Waterproof & oil-resistant: Cloth backing coated to prevent moisture penetration to the skin or dressing beneath
• Aggressive adhesion: Bonds securely to skin and dressing surfaces, maintaining fixation through moisture exposure
• High tensile strength: Resists tearing and stretching during application and wear
• Easy to tear: Hand-tearable for fast application without scissors
• Easy to write on: White cloth surface accepts pen or marker for labeling dressings with date, time, or medication notes
• Four widths available: ½”, 1”, 2”, and 3” to match dressing size and anatomical location
• Non-sterile: Suitable for clean technique dressing changes in home and outpatient settings
• HCPCS code A4452: Supports billing documentation for eligible home health and outpatient claims

Quick Summary

• Product type: Waterproof cloth fixation tape
• Role: Fixation product — secures primary and secondary dressings to skin
• Exudate level: Not applicable — fixation product only
• Best for: Wounds requiring waterproof dressing securement; outpatient, home care, long-term care, clinical
• Skin type: Intact, healthy periwound skin with normal to good integrity
• Contains latex: Yes — verify patient and caregiver allergy status before use
• Sterile: No
• HCPCS: A4452

What Is This Product?

Kendall Wet-Pruf is a cloth-backed medical tape with a waterproof coating applied to the backing surface. The adhesive layer bonds aggressively to skin and dressing materials, while the coated cloth backing prevents moisture — including water, wound exudate, and oils — from penetrating through to the dressing or skin beneath. The cloth construction gives the tape high tensile strength, making it resistant to tearing or deforming under load while remaining hand-tearable for efficient clinical use.

Unlike paper tapes or standard cloth tapes without waterproof treatment, Wet-Pruf is specifically designed for environments where the dressing site will be exposed to moisture — making it a practical choice for patients who shower or bathe with dressings in place, and for wound locations prone to perspiration or external moisture exposure.

Indications / Wound Types

Wet-Pruf tape is a fixation product indicated for securing wound dressings over:

• Post-surgical incisions healing by primary or secondary intention
• Acute traumatic wounds and lacerations
• Pressure injuries (Stage 2–4) where foam or gauze secondary dressings require fixation
• Venous and diabetic ulcers with non-adherent or foam primary dressings
• Burns and skin tears where dressing securement is required
• IV and catheter site dressings requiring waterproof fixation
• Any wound location where moisture exposure during daily activities makes standard tape inadequate

Note: Wet-Pruf contains latex. Always confirm latex allergy status for patients and caregivers before use.

How It Works

Wet-Pruf tape functions through two mechanisms working together. The aggressive pressure-sensitive adhesive creates a strong bond between the tape and the skin or dressing surface on contact, holding the dressing securely in place during movement, activity, and moisture exposure. The waterproof-coated cloth backing then prevents water, oils, and exudate from wicking through the tape material to the dressing or skin beneath — maintaining dressing integrity and protecting the wound environment even when the site is exposed to water.

The high tensile strength of the cloth construction prevents the tape from stretching or tearing under the mechanical stress of body movement, which is particularly important for dressings on joints, the trunk, or high-activity anatomical locations.

Application Instructions

1. Cleanse the wound with an appropriate wound cleanser or sterile saline and allow the periwound skin to dry completely before taping — adhesives do not bond reliably to damp skin
2. Apply the primary dressing per clinical protocol, ensuring it covers the wound with adequate overlap onto intact periwound skin
3. Cut or tear Wet-Pruf tape to the required length — the tape is hand-tearable for convenience
4. Apply tape strips across the dressing edges onto the intact periwound skin, pressing firmly to ensure full adhesive contact
5. Label the dressing with the date and time of application using a pen or marker on the white cloth surface if required by protocol
6. Monitor the dressing at each clinical visit or daily in home care settings for lifting edges, strike-through, or signs of periwound skin reaction

Dressing Change Guidance

Change frequency is determined by the dressing product beneath the tape, wound exudate volume, and clinical assessment at each visit — not by the tape itself. Remove Wet-Pruf tape by pulling it back slowly and parallel to the skin surface rather than lifting at an angle, to minimize adhesive trauma to the periwound skin. For patients with sensitive or aging skin, use a medical adhesive remover to soften the bond before removal. Do not reuse tape once removed.

Wet-Pruf is not recommended for fragile, thin, or paper-like skin where aggressive adhesive removal may cause skin tears. In those cases, a silicone tape or low-tack paper tape is the more appropriate fixation choice. See our full medical tape range for alternatives suited to sensitive skin.

Why Choose This Product

• Reliable waterproof performance: Designed specifically for dressing fixation where moisture resistance is clinically required — not an incidental feature
• Trusted brand: Cardinal Health’s Kendall line is one of the most widely used medical tape brands in US clinical settings
• Four width options: Eliminates the need to fold or double tape for larger dressings — select the width that matches the dressing and anatomical location
• Billing-ready: HCPCS code A4452 supports home health and outpatient billing documentation
• Easy to label: White cloth surface accepts pen markings for date, time, and medication labeling — useful in home care and facility settings
• Cost-effective: 10-yard rolls provide sufficient length for multiple dressing applications per roll in both home and clinical settings

Compare Related Products

Looking for a tape suited to a specific skin type or clinical need? Browse our full range:

• All Medical Tapes — paper, silk, foam & silicone options
• Foam Dressings — commonly secured with cloth or waterproof tape
• Non-Adherent Dressings — always require tape for fixation
• Gauze Dressings — packing and secondary dressings requiring fixation
• Silicone Dressings — for fragile skin where Wet-Pruf is not appropriate
• Wound Cleansers — prepare the wound and periwound skin before taping
• All Wound Dressings — complete clinical dressing range

Call to Action

Support for both home care and healthcare facility ordering is available. Call 1-866-218-0902 for product selection, bulk purchasing, and clinical support.