Application of zinc ointment to the baby

Some babies tend to develop a so-called diaper dermatitis. This is a skin rash that develops due to wearing diapers. More specifically, due to the baby’s wet bottom, which cannot dry sufficiently under the diaper.

Consequently, the skin of the baby’s bottom can become sore and inflamed. In addition, the warm and humid environment increases the risk of infection. Zinc ointment can have a supportive effect due to its properties. It draws moisture from the skin. It also forms a protective film on the skin and thus a certain barrier for urine and faeces.

Active ingredient and effect of zinc ointment

Zinc ointments contain the water-insoluble zinc oxide. According to the German Pharmacopoeia (DAB), a zinc ointment should consist of 10 parts zinc oxide and 90 parts so-called wool wax alcohol ointment. The ointment usually has a whitish color.

At room temperature it has a soft consistency. The zinc oxide has a weak disinfecting, anti-inflammatory, astringent, drying and wound healing effect. The drying effect results from the fact that zinc ointment can absorb water.

This can have a positive effect, for example, on weeping blisters. However, if the skin is already dry, this can worsen the appearance of the skin. Some zinc ointments contain various additives.

Often there is also cod liver oil in the ointments. Cod liver oil contains vitamin A, which has a positive influence on the regeneration of the skin. Zinc has a high fat content, which reduces absorption into the skin.

This allows the zinc ointment to cover the affected skin area. The zinc oxide in the ointment forms soluble zinc salts on the skin. These have a slightly disinfecting and astringent effect.

This is of benefit in the treatment of wound edges. In relatively intact skin, the zinc ions usually only penetrate deeper skin layers. The absorption into the bloodstream is usually low.

In more severely damaged skin or open wounds, the uptake of zinc into the bloodstream may be higher. Intoxications and overdoses of zinc ointment are not directly known. Zinc creams and zinc pastes are available as variants to zinc ointments.