Cotton stockinette bandages are used as a first layer for skin protection and comfort under casts, braces, compression bandages, and orthoses, absorbing perspiration and wicking moisture to prevent irritation. Their seamless, tubular, and stretchy nature allows them to conform to the body and provide uniform support for conditions like lymphatic edema, muscle strains, and sprains. They also act as a barrier for protective dressings and are useful in amputee care and orthopedic surgery.