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Ointments & Topicals
After the blister is drained, an ointment should be applied in an effort to reduce friction, soften crusting, maintain a moist wound healing environment and act as a barrier to protect the wound. Various ointments are utilized and as long as the blister or erosion (open blister/sore) is not infected, personal preference will guide you as to which one you find comfortable and suitable.
- Polysporin® or other over the counter antibiotic ointments are used by some and meet several needs: they serve as a topical antibiotic to prevent infection; they act as a barrier to the opening in the skin and they maintain a moist wound environment which facilitates healing. If topical antibiotic ointments are used, they should be rotated every month or so to minimize the risk of developing resistant bacteria. Products which contain Neomycin are not recommended, as they are often sensitizers.
- Petroleum Jelly (White Petrolatum, Vaseline®) is probably the least expensive ointment available. It acts as a barrier to the opening in the skin and maintains a moist wound environment which facilitates healing.
- Aquaphor® (Ingredients: Petrolatum, Mineral Oil, Ceresin, Lanolin Alcohol) is preferred by many. It is more expensive than petroleum jelly. Like petroleum jelly, it acts as a barrier to the opening in the skin and maintains a moist wound environment but it is reported to not stain as much or leave behind the same "greasy feel".
- Zinc oxide products are widely used and are reported to promote healing, protect the wound and surrounding area and to dry up a really moist wound. These are frequently used both in the diaper area and on other parts of the body. There are many products available, including Dermagran®, Desitin®, A&D with Zinc Ointment®, Balmex.®
- Emu oil (http://www.epmi.net/ ) has been a fashionable choice for years and many people with EB report it reduces inflammation, decreases scarring, facilitates healing and diminishes pain. It sounds too good to be true but there are those with EB who swear by it.
- Cooking products such as Crisco® and olive oil have been used as emollients and are preferred by some.
- Aloe vera products are used by some people with EB because they are found to be soothing and cooling. Some report aloe vera products decrease inflammation. There is conflicting information in the literature and aloe vera has been reported to cause contact dermatitis.
- Egyptian Magic Cream® (www.egyptianmagic.com) is another product some people with EB have used and found to be comforting.
Products seem to go in and out of vogue, working better for some than others. Many people with EB report the best results when they rotate products; when one seems to "stop working" for them, they switch to another. Personal preference will guide you as to the ointment you choose on a given day.
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