Many parents really regard Vaseline as a "golden oil".
The child's lips are dry, peeling, and even chapped lips, and applying a little will moisturize a lot; Eczema, saliva rash, diaper rash, a little rubbing can also relieve it.
Even many parents have developed a new use of petroleum jelly, which can wipe the nose dry and nasal cavity, scalds, scratches, and scratches.
But in fact, as far as petroleum jelly itself is concerned, it is not a "medicine", it does not have the effect of treating skin diseases such as eczema, saliva rash, diaper rash, and promoting wound healing.
But why do you really have some effect after applying petroleum jelly? In fact, because of this quality of it!
01. Vaseline is an "enchantment", the inside can't get out, and the outside can't get in
Vaseline, an odorless oil extracted from petroleum, is used in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics because of its excellent chemical inertness and waterproofness.
For example, the picture on the left below is the Vaseline cosmetics produced by the "Vaseline" brand common in our lives; The picture on the right shows medical petroleum jelly.
But whether it is medicine or cosmetics, Vaseline itself does not have bactericidal ability and the function of treating skin diseases!
Just because it has good water locking properties and will not be absorbed, when applied to the skin, it can form a "protective film" on the surface, so that the skin moisture is not easy to evaporate and lose, so as to achieve the effect of moisturizing; and blocking airborne bacteria and skin contact, thereby reducing the likelihood of infection.
Simply put, after smearing Vaseline, the skin is like an "enchantment", the moisture inside cannot come out, and the bacteria outside cannot enter!
Understanding this premise allows us to better avoid the following misusages!
02. These misuses will make the situation worse!
1. Emergency treatment after burns
Note! It is an emergency treatment, that is, after the child has just been burned, Vaseline cannot be applied directly.
Because this time is applied, the wound is closed, and the heat of the child's affected area cannot be dissipated, but it will deepen the damage to the deep tissues of the skin.
The first time after the burn, the most important thing to do is to rinse the affected area with running water to help the surface of the skin quickly dissipate heat until the pain in the affected area is relieved.
In order to repair the skin barrier in the affected area, you can apply petroleum jelly appropriately to moisturize and promote wound healing.
2. Use as a cream on a large area
The moisturizing logic of Vaseline is not because it has the function of moisturizing the skin, but because it has a strong ability to lock water, and after application, it can reduce the loss of moisture in the skin itself.
That is to say, if your child's skin itself is moisturized, applying petroleum jelly will not make your child's skin more hydrated. On the contrary, it will block the child's pores because of its oily and slimy texture.
Only when the child's skin is in a very dry and dehydrated situation, apply a layer of petroleum jelly to prevent the skin from continuing to dehydrate, so as to have a moisturizing and moisturizing effect.
3. Treatment of peeling and cracking caused by athlete's foot
This is even more impossible! The essence of athlete's foot is fungal infection, and peeling and cracking are also caused by fungi.
After treatment with antifungal drugs, the fungus is eliminated and peeling and cracking improve.
Vaseline has no bactericidal effect, can not deal with fungi, even if it can temporarily relieve the peel and cracking, but it is only a palliative but not a cure.
Finally, there are some gossip voices that say that Vaseline can remove neck lines, blackheads, long eyelashes, cure acne, etc., it is recommended not to believe it!
Thousands of skin care products can not be alleviated, can a dozen pieces of petroleum jelly be improved?
03. Used in these places, Vaseline works better!
After talking about the wrong usage, let's take a look at the correct operation.
1. Eczema, saliva rash, diaper rash care
For children with eczema, hydration is key to relief. The application of petroleum jelly can just reduce the evaporation of the skin's own moisture, so as to achieve the purpose of moisturizing and moisturizing.
It can be applied on the premise that the child has just taken a bath and the skin is clean and moist, so that the remaining moisture on the surface of the skin can be isolated by Vaseline, and it cannot be run out in it.
The production of saliva rash and diaper rash is essentially too much water, which "floods" the child's skin.
Applying petroleum jelly can isolate the child's skin from excessive saliva and urine, so that the outside water cannot enter, so as to achieve the purpose of relief.
2. Care for dry, chapped parts of the body
For example, dry and cracked lips, dry and bleeding nasal cavity, dry fingers and long barbs, local dry peeling of the limbs in autumn and winter, and dandruffing, etc., you can properly apply petroleum jelly to achieve the effect of moisturizing and moisturizing.
And it is best to apply it after washing the lips, hands and limbs, when the skin surface is more moisturized, and the moisturizing effect will be better.
Because Vaseline locks this water inside, making it difficult for them to evaporate.
3. Healing of minor trauma such as scratches and cuts
In addition to moisturizing and moisturizing, petroleum jelly can also form a protective film after applying to the skin, block bacteria in the air, and reduce wound infection.
Therefore, minor wounds, such as scratches, cuts, abrasions, etc., can be cleaned and disinfected and applied with a layer of petroleum jelly to maintain the wet healing of the wound and reduce infection.
However, if the wound appears red, swollen, purulent discharge, and persistent bleeding, consult a doctor to see if further treatment is needed, such as disinfection, suturing, hemostasis, etc.
To sum up: the above several skin manifestations, when the degree is mild, you can apply petroleum jelly to moisturize.
However, if the child's skin manifestations are more serious, such as eczema, diaper rash and other large areas, you need to consult a doctor and follow the doctor's instructions.
Finally, how else will people use petroleum jelly? You can share it in the comment area~