FOOD INTOLERANCE NETWORK FACTSHEET
Failsafe eczema creams
This factsheet began with
the following question:
"I
am a wound care nurse in an aged care unit. We use sorbolene creme for moisture
retention for knees and elbows but it appears that some creams are less pure
than others. Please have you any advice on which one to use? We have a lady who
is extremely sensitive to most. I have noted that additives are increasing,
causing this lady's skin to itch and burn."
We asked failsafers for
their favourite eczema creams and here are the results. Thanks to everyone who
wrote in!
1. My 4 1/2 year old has had bad eczema
and I use Dermeze ointment (A moisturiser for dry skin) it was developed by
Royal Childrens Hospital) it contains liquid paraffin 50% w/w white soft
paraffin 50% w/w.
I
find it heaps better than sorbolene it is a little more greasier but it works
for us and is available from chemists it
may need to be ordered in and it comes in a 500g tub for about $13.00 and it
lasts a long time. Hope this helps - JB
2. I would recommend the Ego brand of
skin cream as low allergenic - they are made by dermatologists in Australia
(Victoria) - and have fantastic attention to detail, and should be very
responsive if people get reactions. They are particularly interested in the
development of products for eczema and psoriasis. We got a giftbasket of products for our first
child, and use the pot of skin cream for our daughter. The only other recommendation I would have is
to buy the thicker cream for putting on eczema as it seems to sting less when
put onto dry, cracked skin. It is more expensive, but for an outbreak we
usually need it for 3-4 days before the skin is pretty much healed. Obviously,
we know the cause so it's not likely to reoccur.
Also,
you should wash hands before applying cream and don't dip your fingers back in
the pot. You might introduce a fungus or bacteria from the skin back into the
cream and spread it around. Whilst products are made to not break down over
time, they are not necessarily tolerant to a large amount of contamination from
somewhere else.
As
for convincing my family that diet is important, we would show them the eczema
the day it looked the worst, and they would be convinced! [This eczema turned
out to be related to salicylates.] - Jessica,
3. A wound care nurse in an aged care
unit requested advice in the current newsletter about which sorbolene to use as
additives in the sorbolene were increasing, causing a lady's skin to itch and
burn. Additive ingredients to avoid in sorbolene so that it is failsafe
are:Menthol/menthyl, aloe vera, green tea or herbal extract such as eucalyptus
oil, camphor, oil of wintergreen or peppermint oil all of which may contain
salicylates and cause a skin reaction.
If
using plain sorbolene and that this lady is still reacting try sorbolene
without a common additive Triethanolamine(TEA)(used in a commonly recommended
product-Redwins sorbolene and 10% glycerine). Pure TEA on skin contact may
cause irritation, redness, and pain, especially on prolonged or repeated
contact. It is often used in cosmetics to adjust pH and may cause an allergic
reaction. To ensure that sorbolene is free of this additive contact a local
chemist to make a batch of pure sorbolene to 10% glycerin (for added
moisture retention) without this ingredient. Results should be noticable almost
immediately. - Fay
4. Dear Sue and the Wound Care nurse -
I have found Dermeze to be the best moisturiser (and I have no pecuniary
interest in it) it was invented by the Royal Children's Hospital in
5. Hi Sue, In the newsletter, you've
asked about which sorbolenes are safe for sensitive skins. I can't use any of
the commercial sorbolene creams. If I use any of them on my face I end up with
a burning sensation. I have had the most success with QV brand items from the
chemist. I use QV Kids Wash to wash my face (it's the only thing I've ever found
which doesn't feel as though it's burning), and I've found the creams and
lotions to be safe. The oatmeal hair wash is also safe and unperfumed. For me,
the only alternative is to use nothing, which I do much of the time :) - kind
regards, Cathy Bannister
www.fedupwithfoodadditives.info
The information given is not intended as
medical advice. Always consult with your doctor for underlying illness. Before
beginning dietary investigation, consult a dietician with an interest in food
intolerance. You can find a supportive dietitian through the Dietitians
Association of
© Sue Dengate update September 2005
