Skin diseases in particular are treated externally. Ointments, creams, lotions, solutions, powders, medicinal patches or gels contain active ingredients that, depending on the preparation, act on the skin surface or penetrate the skin – depending on whether the preparation is thick and greasy or thin and watery. Most drugs for external use can be purchased ready-prepared in the pharmacy. In other cases, the dermatologist considers an individual ointment preparation more appropriate, then the drug is specially prepared in the pharmacy.
Dosage of ointments and creams
Dosages are occasionally problematic with ointments and creams. Who can not do anything with dosage information such as: “Only hazelnut-sized” or “pea-sized”, should seek advice from his pharmacist about the right amount. In addition, there are different methods of application for the different ingredients. For example, cortisone ointments are applied very thinly, but for certain eczemas, the ointment is applied as thick as the back of a knife to soften the skin and allow the active ingredients to penetrate properly.
Ointments
Ointments are usually very fatty spreadable medicinal preparations with finely dispersed active ingredients in their base (“water in oil”). They have a greasy feel and are difficult to wash off the hands. As a rule, ointments should be applied thinly and massaged into the skin. The active ingredients of an ointment penetrate the skin particularly well. Ointments with a high solid content are called pastes.
Creams
They have a softer consistency than ointments and usually contain larger amounts of water (“oil in water”). They are easy to apply and are absorbed into the skin. They are also for external use only.
Lotions
These are liquids containing dissolved active ingredients that are applied to the skin. They are often used when skin areas such as the spaces between the toes or the groin area need to be dried. Alcohol, water or glycerin are used as solvents.
Powder
Powders are dry preparations that are also used for moist and softened skin areas. In such skin damage, such as sweaty feet, skin rubs on skin. Powder absorbs the moisture and thus reduces friction.
Gel
Gel is also applied to the skin. It has a very high water content, which has a cooling effect in addition to the respective effect. In addition to external use, there are also gels that are suitable for use in the mouth, for example, for gum or mucous membrane damage.
Plaster
They are not only used for wound care. In so-called TTS patches (Transdermal Therapeutic Systems), the active ingredients are incorporated into a membrane. Among other things, they are used against
By sticking to the skin, the active ingredient is slowly released in a uniform amount.
Application of medicinal patches
Medicinal patches must not be cut, because otherwise the liquid or semi-solid content will leak. Also, you must make sure that the whole size of the medicine patch sticks to the skin. If the patch sticks only at the edge, the active ingredient can no longer be absorbed through the skin. The underside of the patch is covered with a protective film. The protective film must be removed so that the active ingredient can touch the skin. Afterwards, you must not touch this underside with your bare fingers, because otherwise the active ingredient will penetrate the body through the skin on your fingers. These patches are disposable medicines. They are applied only once. If the patch is removed, the active ingredient stops immediately. After removal, the patch is folded up and thrown away. Anyone using a medicated patch for the first time should ask their pharmacy to explain how to use it.
Limited shelf life of ointments and creams.
Ointments, creams, lotions or solutions prepared in the pharmacy are intended for a condition that is usually acute. They are individually formulated and dosed. After completion of the treatment, they should be disposed of. Because they often contain no preservatives, they have a limited shelf life. To prevent the introduction of germs into the preparation, ointments and creams should only be removed from a tin using a clean ointment spatula.