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Pronunciation: PET roe LAY tum TOP i kal
Brand: Aquaphor Healing, Hydrophor, ilex Skin Protectant, Vaseline, Vicks BabyRub
What is the most important information I should know about petrolatum topical?
Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor.
What is petrolatum topical?
There are many brands and forms of petrolatum topical available. Not all brands are listed on this leaflet.
Petrolatum is a mineral oil made from petroleum. Petrolatum topical (for the skin) is used to help protect minor cuts, scrapes, burns, or eczema.
Petrolatum topical is also used to treat or prevent chapped lips or cracked skin, and to protect skin from the drying effects of wind or cold weather.
Petrolatum topical helps seal out wetness and is helpful in preventing diaper rash or skin irritation caused by bladder or bowel incontinence.
Petrolatum topical may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using petrolatum topical?
If you are breastfeeding, avoid applying this medicine to breast areas that may come into contact with the baby's mouth.
How should I use petrolatum topical?
Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor.
Do not take by mouth. Topical medicine is for use only on the skin.
Do not use this medicine on deep wounds, puncture wounds, animal bites, or serious burns.
You may apply petrolatum topical as needed. First clean the area to be treated.
Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after using this medicine for 7 days, or if your condition clears up and comes back.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Since petrolatum topical is used when needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. Skip any missed dose if it's almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time.
What happens if I overdose?
An overdose of petrolatum topical is not expected to be dangerous. Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222 if anyone has accidentally swallowed the medicine.
What should I avoid while using petrolatum topical?
Avoid getting this medicine in your eyes.
What are the possible side effects of petrolatum topical?
Stop using petrolatum topical and call your doctor at once if you have:
- skin redness or tenderness;
- itching; or
- swelling.
Less serious side effects may be more likely, and you may have none at all.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect petrolatum topical?
Medicine used on the skin is not likely to be affected by other drugs you use. But many drugs can interact with each other. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all medicines you use, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about petrolatum topical.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
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FAQs
What is petrolatum topical? ›
Petrolatum is a mineral oil made from petroleum. Petrolatum topical (for the skin) is used to help protect minor cuts, scrapes, burns, or eczema. Petrolatum topical is also used to treat or prevent chapped lips or cracked skin, and to protect skin from the drying effects of wind or cold weather.
What are the side effects of petrolatum topical? ›skin redness or tenderness; itching; or. swelling.
Is petrolatum safe on skin? ›When properly refined, there are no known health concerns associated with the use of petrolatum. Thanks to its occlusive and emollient properties, topical application of petrolatum has been proven to help soothe, protect, and moisturize skin on both the face and body.
What is petrolatum cream used for? ›It can reduce healing time of cracked, dry skin on hands, elbows, and knees, and helps prevent diaper rash. The original ointment also contained mineral oil, ceresin, lanolin alcohol. Its use is indicated in atopic dermatitis, eczema, and psoriasis when extra protection from a heavier base is needed.
Is petrolatum the same as Vaseline? ›Petroleum jelly is a thick, waxy paste that many people use as a skin care product and treatment for minor cuts and burns. Other names for petroleum jelly include petrolatum and Vaseline, a common brand name.
Why avoid petrolatum? ›Health and Environmental Hazards
A petroleum product, petrolatum can be contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Studies suggest that exposure to PAHs — including skin contact over extended periods of time — is associated with cancer.
Consumers had no way of knowing if the products containing petroleum were low in carcinogenic PAHs so the EU's “Dangerous Substances Directive” stepped in and banned all products containing petrolatum, aka petroleum jelly unless it was refined properly to remove toxic carcinogens and could prove the refining history.
Can bacteria grow in petrolatum? ›If the area is not cleaned properly prior to applying petroleum jelly, existing bacteria and fungal spores can easily proliferate and cause secondary infections.
Is petrolatum FDA approved? ›Petrolatum is also an FDA-approved indirect food additive. For example, it may be used as a defoaming agent and it may be used in adhesives in contact with food. Petrolatum is also approved as an active ingredient in OTC skin protectant drug products as well as in ophthalmic, and anorectal OTC drug products.
Does Aquaphor have petrolatum? ›Yes, Aquaphor is an occlusive, thanks to its petrolatum content, but it also contains a host of other ingredients that make it a partial moisturizer—which is why most dermatologists say that it is the best option for dry skin.
Is petrolatum in Aquaphor safe? ›
“Petrolatum is still considered safe by dermatologists and skin care professionals,” he assures.
Is Aquaphor better than Vaseline? ›Aquaphor tends to be a better moisturizer because it contains humectant ingredients and is occlusive, while Vaseline is only occlusive. When used for wound healing after surgery, Vaseline has shown to cause less redness at the wound site than Aquaphor. If you have a lanolin allergy, opt for Vaseline over Aquaphor.
Is petrolatum a carcinogen? ›Risks associated with petrolatum
Studies suggest that exposure to PAHs is associated with cancer. The European Union classifies petrolatum as a carcinogen and restricts its use in cosmetics to only when the full refining history is known, and it can be proven non-carcinogenic.
The main ingredient of petroleum jelly is petroleum, which creates a protective barrier that helps your skin to retain moisture and heal. Petroleum jelly is hypoallergenic and has anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and antifungal properties, making it a viable option to prevent and manage eczema symptoms.
Is petrolatum bad for eczema? ›Research has shown that using petroleum jelly helps the skin retain water. This is great news for anyone with dry skin, but especially for people with eczema who have a compromised skin barrier. Petroleum jelly can also help to speed skin barrier recovery.
Is there a healthier alternative to Vaseline? ›Choose products that are free of petroleum jelly - Instead, look for ingredients such as Coconut Oil, Cocoa Butter, and Shea Butter that is equally as effective while being kinder to your skin and to the environment.
Can you use petrolatum as lube? ›Vaseline, or petroleum jelly, is an oil based ointment that people can use to moisturize and soften dry skin. Although Vaseline may work as a sexual lubricant, it can damage latex condoms and increase the risk of infection and unintended pregnancy. It is better to use a water or glycol based lubricant.
What's petrolatum made of? ›What is petroleum jelly made of? Petroleum jelly (also called petrolatum) is a mixture of mineral oils and waxes, which form a semisolid jelly-like substance. This product hasn't changed much since Robert Augustus Chesebrough discovered it in 1859.
Is the petroleum in Vaseline a carcinogen? ›5Per Vaseline's representative, "Vaseline Jelly meets U.S. and EU Pharmacopoeia standards on purity. It is triple-purified to remove carcinogenic material—meaning it does not pose a risk of causing cancer. It's the only petroleum jelly with the unique triple-purification seal."
Is CeraVe banned in Europe? ›The European Union has banned some parabens from use in cosmetics, but the two incorporated by the L'Oréal-owned CeraVe, methylparaben and propylparaben, are common preservatives deemed safe in beauty products by regulators on both sides of the Atlantic.
Is petrolatum a hormone disruptor? ›
On the other hand, unrefined petroleum jelly contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) [5], which have been listed as carcinogens and are linked to different types of cancers. Also, researchers suspect PAHs to be endocrine disruptors, which manipulate hormonal functionality in humans.
Is petroleum toxic Vaseline? ›Is Petroleum Jelly Safe to be ingested? Another myth surrounding petroleum jelly is that it is toxic. In fact, Vaseline® Jelly meets FDA requirements for being safe for human consumption.
What can petrolatum cause? ›Petrolatum can become contaminated with impurities such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) during the refining process. PAHs are known carcinogens and have been linked to cancer and other health issues.
Is petrolatum natural or synthetic? ›Many of these topically applied OTC drugs and cosmetics have stood the test of time. Yet, mineral oil and petrolatum are regarded by some cosmetic marketers as not natural, unfashionable or even unsafe. It can be argued that these products, derived from Mother Earth, are indeed natural—they are certainly not synthetic.
Does petrolatum effect health? ›Our assessment shows that petrolatum is not harmful to our health at current levels of exposure.
What is the difference between yellow petrolatum and white petrolatum? ›Highly refined (White Petrolatum) grades are used in pharmacy and cosmetics. Less refined grades (Yellow, amber or brown Petrolatum) are used industrially and may contain impurities such as carcinogenic polycyclic aromatics.
What is petrolatum also known as? ›Also called petroleum jelly.
Who should not use Aquaphor? ›Do not use this medicine on deep wounds, puncture wounds, animal bites, or serious burns.
Is Aquaphor safer than Vaseline? ›However, Aquaphor may not be the best choice if you are allergic to lanolin or have sensitive skin. Meanwhile, Vaseline may be better for those with sensitive and eczema-prone skin. Since the formula is 100% pure petroleum jelly, there is less chance of irritation or allergic reactions.
Which is better Eucerin or Aquaphor? ›Both can be beneficial for skin. If you're looking for a product best for damaged skin, that's Aquaphor. It's much more powerful than Eucerin at treating moderate to severe skin issues. You can always speak with a dermatologist to find what's right for you and your skin.
What are examples of petrolatum products? ›
These include petrolatum-based moisturizers and various hydrophilic ointments such as petroleum jelly, Aquaphor, Eucerin, Absorbase, Acid Mantle cream, Cetaphil cream, and Vanicream.
Is petrolatum in aquaphor safe? ›“Petrolatum is still considered safe by dermatologists and skin care professionals,” he assures.
What are other names for petrolatum? ›The liquid form is also known as liquid paraffin, mineral oil, or white mineral oil. Such products are sold commercially under trade names such as Alboline, Drakeol, Frigol, Kremol, and Paroleine.
Is aquaphor better than Vaseline? ›Aquaphor tends to be a better moisturizer because it contains humectant ingredients and is occlusive, while Vaseline is only occlusive. When used for wound healing after surgery, Vaseline has shown to cause less redness at the wound site than Aquaphor. If you have a lanolin allergy, opt for Vaseline over Aquaphor.