emulsifying ointment: clinical use

Prescribing considerations

• Confirm whether a leave-on emollient or wash-off soap substitute is intended.
• Sodium lauryl sulfate can irritate eczema-prone skin; consider an alternative if irritation occurs.
• Provide fire-safety counselling, particularly where smoking, oxygen, dressings, extensive application or fabric contamination increase risk.
• Warn about slippery skin and surfaces.

Contraindications and cautions

• Known hypersensitivity to phenoxyethanol or another formulation ingredient.
• Use particular caution as a leave-on product in children with atopic eczema because immediate local reactions are reported.

Monitoring

• No routine laboratory monitoring is required.
• Review for burning, stinging, itching, redness or contact dermatitis.
• Reassess product suitability and fire precautions when use is extensive or ongoing.

Clinical pharmacology

The cream hydrates the stratum corneum. Paraffin-rich components form an occlusive surface layer that limits transepidermal water loss, while the emulsifying system disperses oily components in the water-containing cream.

Formulation and product differences

• The selected product contains emulsifying ointment, white soft paraffin, liquid paraffin, phenoxyethanol and purified water.
• Its emulsifying wax contains cetostearyl alcohol and sodium lauryl sulfate, which are relevant to local tolerability.
• Store below 25°C in a closed container and do not freeze.