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Four Medical Uses for Petroleum Jelly

Petroleum jelly, also known as Vaseline, is an oily and waxy semi-solid substance that contains various healing properties. It was first introduced in the year 1859, and has been popular in the home and the medical field ever since.

Petroleum jelly works by creating a protective barrier made of moisture, making the skin acquire the moisture it needs to accelerate the healing process. This can be used to treat scrapes, burns, cuts, and other irregularities. You can buy petroleum jelly where you can get other medical supplies Australia online.

Here are all the things that petroleum jelly is used for in a medical setting:

1. Healing minor skin damage.

Following tough surgeries, studies have suggested that petroleum jelly is effective in keeping the skin moist, whereas in other scenarios, the skin stays dry. Petroleum jelly can be applied on minor cuts and other skin injuries, as well as closed incisions where an operation has occurred. Before applying petroleum jelly on the skin, be sure that the area is disinfected, or else harmful bacteria can get stuck underneath the jelly and slow down the healing process.

2. Moisturizing the skin.

Anywhere your skin is dry, petroleum jelly is very useful, working to moisten that area in question and turn things back to normal. Petroleum jelly is extremely useful following a shower. After using alcohol-based soaps, a person’s skin dries up fairly quickly. Petroleum jelly, however, works to instantly restore the skin and make it smoother sooner rather than later. One thing to look out for, however, is to not apply petroleum jelly in places where there is acne, as it can amplify the effects of acne and cause a breakout on your face.

3. Prevent blisters from chafing.

Chafing in an irritating skin condition that occurs when two body parts rub together or rub against clothing. When this happens, blisters can appear on the skin, which can be irritating and very hard to deal with. You would like to prevent chafing altogether more than you would want to treat existing chafing, so petroleum jelly is great for keeping the skin moist and lubricated.

4. Treating diaper rash.

A baby’s skin can become sore and red in an area in which its diaper is. By applying petroleum jelly to your baby’s diapers, you can heal as well as prevent diaper rash, so that your baby’s skin is healthy and moist. A diaper rash should disappear in three to four days, and a dermatologist should be seen if it does not.

There are also some things to be aware of when using petroleum jelly. Doctors and homeowners alike must use petroleum jelly in the proper ways to avoid any nagging side effects. They are as follows:

  • If the skin isn’t sanitized or disinfected before petroleum jelly is applied, any bacteria that remains on the skin can potentially cause a bacterial or fungal infection. A jar that is contaminated can also spread around bacteria, so be sure to always buy more petroleum jelly where you buy medical supplies Australia online and be sure to have more readily available.
  • A select group of people are allergic to petroleum jelly, and can develop allergic reactions, if petroleum jelly is applied to their skin. One alternative substance to use for allergic patients that cannot have petroleum jelly is unrefined coconut oil. It serves as a moisturizer that is just as capable and can be bought for medical purposes online.
  • Aspiration pneumonia can occur if applied around the nose. This condition can occur if the jelly is inhaled and is transferred into the lungs, and can be especially dangerous for children.

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