Polyethylene Glycols
PEG Ointment is a synthetic ointment provided as a magistral preparation in the Pharmacopoeias of many countries including Europe. It is an Ointment with anti-adhesive, hydrophilic, healing and inflammatory properties also suitable for conveying numerous medicinal active ingredients.
The name, PEG Ointment, is short for PolyEthyleneGlycol Ointment. PolyEthyleneGlycols, abbreviated PEG, or Polyethylene Glycol, are polymers that, when properly mixed, result in a compound with a greasy appearance similar to Vaseline or lanolin but with opposite properties.
Difference between ointments in Dermatology
| PEG ointment | Vaselina | Lanolin | |
| Composition | Definite | Indefinite | Partially defined |
| Water absorption | High | Low | Low |
| Anti-adhesive effect on the skin | High | High | Modest |
| Folliculitis induction | NO | YES | YES |
| Breathability | YES | NO | NO |
| Removal with water | SI | NO | NO |
PEGs in medicine
Properties
Compounds from the Polyethylene Glycol group, are widely used in Medicine. They are found as laxatives, protein stabilizers in intravenous drugs, repairers of nerve injuries and in many other fields.
Those used in medicine are pharmaceutical grade and do not contain impurities such as Dioxane. They are not immunogenic or toxic and have no affinity for any organ.
PEG Ointment in Dermatology
Properties
PEG Ointment is opaque white in color and pasty in consistency like Vaseline.
In Dermatology PEG Ointment is used both as a vehicle for drugs or active ingredients and as a dressing . In the field of wound, ulcer or decubitus dressing it is used for its drying and healing properties.
In inflammatory dermatitis such as Atopic Dermatitis, Dyshidrosis it performs an inflammatory action.
MOST PEG Ointment
MOST PEG Ointment is formulated with pharmaceutical-grade PEG free of impurities and fortified with micronized Allantoin.
It is used both for wound or ulcer and decubitus dressings or for dressing dermatological procedures such as Surgery, Photodynamic Therapy, LASER as well as to deflamed inflammatory states such as Atopic Dermatitis, Dyshidrosis etc.
