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Ointment is a a topical medication applied on the body surfaces. In medical terms, an ointment is defines as a homogeneous, viscous, semi-solid preparation with a high viscosity, that is used for external application. An ointment has medicated ingredients which serve a protective, therapeutic, or prophylactic purpose when applied on the skin or mucous membranes .

Types of Ointments Bases

The medicated stuff or the ingredients present inside the ointment is actually the main base of ointments. There are 4 main ointment bases:

• Hydrocarbon bases, e.g. hard paraffin, soft paraffin, microcrystalline wax and ceresine
• Absorption bases like as wool fat, beeswax
• Water soluble bases like as macrogols 200, 300, 400
• Emulsifying bases like as emulsifying wax
• Vegetable oils like as coconut oil, sesame oil, olive oil, almond oil and peanut oil.

Ointment Applications

There are various parts of the body surfaces, skin and mucous membranes where ointment is applied for curing certain skin or disease conditions. Ointment is applied on hands, legs, face, eyes, ears, vagina, anus, throat etc. There are various problems when an oitment is suggested for treatment such as

• Ointment for burns
• Ointments for cuts
• Ointments for pain
• Ointments for itching
• Ointments for inflammation and pain
• Ointments for boils and scars
• Ointments for skin problems like eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis.

List of Ointments

An ointment may or may not be medicated. Some are easily over the counter while are some are prescribed by the doctor. Since they are very moisturizing, they are good for dry skin. Ointments also have a low risk of sensitization and low irritation risk. There is typically little difference between brands of generics and namebrand drugs. Some popular ointments are listed below:
• Betamethasone
• Clotrimazole Cream
• Norfloxacin
• Soframycin
• Ciprofloxacin
• Ketoconazole
• Ofloxacin
• Tobramycin + Dexamethasone
• Povidone-Iodine
• Diclofenac
• Polymyxin-B


Disclaimer:The above information is for general understanding of the visitor. Please consult a registered medical practitioner before taking the aforesaid medicine.