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.
update September 2005
