OTC Drugs: Burn remedies
Earlier this month we started a series on sustainable drug use -- which was fun and all -- but we realized a more practical guide might be in order. With that in mind, here's everything we know about common over-the-counter remedies. To view all the posts in this series, go here.
If you were to look in my medicine cabinet, you wouldn't find much. However, the one product that I always keep on hand for burns, cuts and scrapes is Neosporin. I apply this ointment liberally without much thought. Because of this, I'll be examining the contents as well as those of other burn remedies to determine just how green these medicines are.
Neosporin. There are a few types of Neosporin on the market but I chose to look at the one that's in my arsenal, Neosporin Plus Pain Relief, Maximum Strength. The medicine is packaged in a plastic tube and placed in a cardboard box. The ingredients are Polymyxin B Sulfate, Neomycin, Pramoxine Hydrochloride, Emulsifying Wax, Methylparaben, Mineral Oil, Poloxamer 188, Propylene Glycol, Water Purified, White Petrolatum. A great number of the ingredients are petroleum byproducts. Methylparaben, an anti-fungal, is linked to breast cancer in some applications. Other ingredients like Polymyxin B Sulfate and Neomycin are know to affect the kidneys in high dosages. At least the box is easily recyclable.
Solarcaine First Aid Medicated Spray, unlike Neopsorin, contains alcohols. The ingredients are Alcohol Denat, Diisopropyl Adipate , Isobutane , Propylene Glycol , Tocopheryl Acetate - Vitamin E Acetate. Solarcaine comes in an aerosol spray can which is recyclable. Aerosol cans now use petroleum gas to spray products from the can. The gas still contributes to global warming but much less than the CFC's used in the 70's. This medicine is dangerous when ingested so I guess you should hold your breath while spraying.
The aloe vera plant is a natural alternative to over the counter products. It is known to relieve pain, speed healing time, and prevent blisters and scarring when applied. The plant also have natural anti-bacterial components. Keeping an aloe vera plant in your home not only provides natural healing power but improves your air quality. All you have to do is split a leaf and rub the gel on your skin.
I had of course heard that aloe was good for burns but I had no idea that it was also good for cuts and provided pain relief. I might just have to retire my tubes of Neosporin and opt for a plant.
If you were to look in my medicine cabinet, you wouldn't find much. However, the one product that I always keep on hand for burns, cuts and scrapes is Neosporin. I apply this ointment liberally without much thought. Because of this, I'll be examining the contents as well as those of other burn remedies to determine just how green these medicines are.
Neosporin. There are a few types of Neosporin on the market but I chose to look at the one that's in my arsenal, Neosporin Plus Pain Relief, Maximum Strength. The medicine is packaged in a plastic tube and placed in a cardboard box. The ingredients are Polymyxin B Sulfate, Neomycin, Pramoxine Hydrochloride, Emulsifying Wax, Methylparaben, Mineral Oil, Poloxamer 188, Propylene Glycol, Water Purified, White Petrolatum. A great number of the ingredients are petroleum byproducts. Methylparaben, an anti-fungal, is linked to breast cancer in some applications. Other ingredients like Polymyxin B Sulfate and Neomycin are know to affect the kidneys in high dosages. At least the box is easily recyclable.
Solarcaine First Aid Medicated Spray, unlike Neopsorin, contains alcohols. The ingredients are Alcohol Denat, Diisopropyl Adipate , Isobutane , Propylene Glycol , Tocopheryl Acetate - Vitamin E Acetate. Solarcaine comes in an aerosol spray can which is recyclable. Aerosol cans now use petroleum gas to spray products from the can. The gas still contributes to global warming but much less than the CFC's used in the 70's. This medicine is dangerous when ingested so I guess you should hold your breath while spraying.
The aloe vera plant is a natural alternative to over the counter products. It is known to relieve pain, speed healing time, and prevent blisters and scarring when applied. The plant also have natural anti-bacterial components. Keeping an aloe vera plant in your home not only provides natural healing power but improves your air quality. All you have to do is split a leaf and rub the gel on your skin.
I had of course heard that aloe was good for burns but I had no idea that it was also good for cuts and provided pain relief. I might just have to retire my tubes of Neosporin and opt for a plant.
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