Cream BP Research Articles

Formulation and Evaluation of Starch Phosphate-Based Cream Derived from Manihot esculentus

AbstractStarch is an important excipient employed in the pharmaceutical industry but irrespective of its source, the native starch is undesirable for many applications because of its inability to withstand processing conditions and hence needs its modification to achieve the desired properties. This study aimed to synthesize starch phosphate through the modification of starch obtained from Manihot esculentus, and then explore its potential in the preparation of cream formulations. In the present study, the starch was extracted from M. esculentus (cassava), then phosphorylated by reacting with varied concentrations of disodium hydrogen phosphate, anhydrous (Na2HPO4, 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 mol/dm3) under pH 6. A standard wet chemistry method was used for the determination of the degree of substitution by phosphate (DSp) of modified starch, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra were used for structure identification. The starch phosphate obtained was employed to develop a cream formulation. The physicochemical properties of the formulation were further evaluated. Calamine cream BP was utilized as a control. Our result indicated that a higher concentration of Na2HPO4 favors a higher DSp (0.047). FTIR spectra of the modified starch suggested a new peak at 1,090 cm−1 (P-OR). The cream formulated with a high DSp of starch phosphate demonstrated good physicochemical properties with spreadability (7.84–8.65 gcm/s), pH (6.5–7.0), viscosity (267–296 cp), extrudability (2.05–2.62%) and physical stability, and were smooth, opaque, greasy, homogeneous, and easily removed on washing with water. Statistical analysis showed that there was no significant difference between the starch phosphate-based cream and the control, but a significant difference between the starch phosphate-based cream and a native starch-based cream. Given the above, starch phosphate with a high DSp can be prepared from M. esculentus starch and utilized as a promising emulsifying agent in cream formulation due to its being more widely available, more stable, and cost-effective.

Enhancing intradermal delivery of tofacitinib citrate: Comparison between powder-loaded hollow microneedle arrays and dissolving microneedle arrays.

Autoimmune-mediated inflammatory skin diseases, such as psoriasis, alopecia areata, and vitiligo, have been reported as the 4th leading cause of nonfatal disease burden worldwide. This is mainly related to the poor quality of life experienced by these patients. Although topical and systemic steroids represent the most common treatment, the variability in success rates and side effects often lead to treatment discontinuation. Recent off-label clinical studies using oral Janus Kinase (JAK) inhibitors (e.g., ruxolitinib, tofacitinib, baraticinib) have shown promising results. However, frequent side effects, such as infections and blood clots have been reported. Therefore, the aim of this research was to enhance the intradermal delivery of tofacitinib citrate with MN arrays. Using crosslinked hydrogels containing modifying agents (urea, sorbitol and sodium chloride), hollow MN arrays were fabricated and then loaded with tofacitinib citrate. Their efficiency in intradermal delivery of tofacitinib was compared with dissolving MN arrays and a control (Aqueous cream BP), using neonatal porcine skin. Despite the fact that the hydrogel was only present on the outer surface, hollow MN arrays showed comparable resistance to compression values and insertion capabilities to dissolving MN arrays. Although hollow MN arrays containing NaCl in the formulation led to slightly higher depositions of tofacitinib in epidermis and dermis of neonatal porcine skin when compared to a control cream, dissolving MN arrays showed superiority in terms of tofacitinib deposition in the dermis. Indeed, at 24h of the study, control cream and dissolving MN arrays delivered 143.98 ug/cm2 and 835 ug/cm2 of drug in the dermis, respectively, confirming the enhanced intradermal drug delivery capacity of MN arrays and their potential for treatment of autoimmune skin diseases.

Revealing the Hidden Details of Nanostructure in a Pharmaceutical Cream

Creams are multi-component semi-solid emulsions that find widespread utility across a wide range of pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and personal care products, and they also feature prominently in veterinary preparations and processed foodstuffs. The internal architectures of these systems, however, have to date been inferred largely through macroscopic and/or indirect experimental observations and so they are not well-characterized at the molecular level. Moreover, while their long-term stability and shelf-life, and their aesthetics and functional utility are critically dependent upon their molecular structure, there is no real understanding yet of the structural mechanisms that underlie the potential destabilizing effects of additives like drugs, anti-oxidants or preservatives, and no structure-based rationale to guide product formulation. In the research reported here we sought to address these deficiencies, making particular use of small-angle neutron scattering and exploiting the device of H/D contrast variation, with complementary studies also performed using bright-field and polarised light microscopy, small-angle and wide-angle X-ray scattering, and steady-state shear rheology measurements. Through the convolved findings from these studies we have secured a finely detailed picture of the molecular structure of creams based on Aqueous Cream BP, and our findings reveal that the structure is quite different from the generic picture of cream structure that is widely accepted and reproduced in textbooks.

Colloidal oatmeal emollient as an alternative skincare approach in radiotherapy: a feasibility study

AbstractAimTo assess the feasibility of a randomised controlled trial (RCT) on patients receiving radical radiotherapy for carcinoma of the anus in order to compare the present skincare advice at the time of the study with an alternative product, Aveeno, used primarily for dermatological and chemotherapeutic-induced skin conditions.Materials and methodStandardised Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) grading and skincare assessments were used primarily to inform on physical reactions within a RCT. A pre-existing morbidity/quality-of-life instrument ‘the Head and Neck Radiotherapy Questionnaire’, which was validated for use with radiotherapy patients in preceding studies, was adapted for anus patients and formed the secondary basis for data collection. In all, 24 participants undergoing radical radiotherapy for anal cancer were randomised into two arms, Aveeno cream versus Aqueous Cream BP, and reviewed weekly to collect data and perform analysis and Mann–Whitney U non-parametric statistical tests.ResultsRTOG gradings for skin reactions were comparable week by week across the cohorts, with a baseline 100% of participants exhibiting RTOG 0 at week 1 in all areas, through to week 6 where both cohorts had progressed to higher RTOG grades. The Aveeno cohort, however, indicated ap-value approaching significance in regards to epidermal regeneration at follow-up 1 (p=0·0543). Questionnaires yielded diminishing responses as treatment progressed correlating with advancing RTOG grades, and exhibited increasing negativity in responses in correlation with advancing RTOG grade exhibited.ConclusionThe study was the first to recognise colloidal oatmeal as a skincare approach in the radiotherapy setting and recognises the potential benefits of Aveeno in radiation-induced skin reactions. The study determined the RTOG grading system to be robust as a method of evaluation of skin reactions and the questionnaires deemed the quality-of-life assessment to be a necessity in order to address patients’ psychological needs in addition to the physical needs.

The effectiveness of moisturizers in the management of burn scars following burn injury: a systematic review.

The common mantra with which patients often leave a burns unit is "moisturize and massage". Various products have been reported for use in practice including aqueous cream BP, bees wax and herbal oil creams, silicone based creams, paraffin/petroleum/mineral oil based products and aloe vera gels. Often combined with other scar management techniques such as pressure therapy, massage and contact media, moisturizers convey active properties of their own. To date no published review on the optimal moisturizer for burn scar management has been identified via searches of recognized databases. The objective of this review was to identify and synthesize the best available evidence on the effectiveness of moisturizer use in the management of active burn scars following burn injury. More specifically, this review focused on the following questions: Does moisturizer use have an effect on scar outcomes following burn injury, including scar formation, skin breakdown, patient acceptance and water loss? What is the optimal base composition of moisturizers used in scar management for patients who have sustained a burn injury? Types of participants: Patients of any age who have sustained a burn injury of any size, and have been admitted to a hospital or regional burn unit or burn centre for the management of their injury. Types of intervention(s)/phenomena of interest: Studies evaluating moisturizer applied to healed skin following burn injury were considered for inclusion. Moisturizer may have been compared to usual care as defined by the individual study, other interventions, or a different type of moisturizer. Studies comparing moisturizer and massage compared to moisturizer alone were excluded. Types of studies: This review primarily considered experimental study designs, including randomized and pseudo-randomized controlled trials. Types of outcomes: Primary outcomes for examination in this review included scar formation and skin breakdown, measured by objective tools or subjective scales. Secondary outcomes included product acceptance, patient compliance and transepidermal water loss. A search was conducted to identify published and unpublished studies via electronic databases. Reference lists of all papers selected for full text retrieval were then hand searched for potential additional citations. Articles meeting pre-determined eligibility criteria for the review were assessed by two independent reviewers using standardized checklists from the Joanna Briggs Institute Meta Analysis of Statistics Assessment and Review Instrument. Corresponding authors were contacted where additional information was required; however this strategy did not yield additional information that altered study eligibility status. Data was extracted from the included paper using the standardized data extraction tool from the Joanna Briggs Institute Meta Analysis of Statistics Assessment and Review Instrument. Narrative synthesis of the included study was undertaken. One study, following a randomized controlled design, was eligible for inclusion in this review. This study investigated the effect of vitamin E cream versus a base moisturizing cream on outcomes including range of motion, scar thickness, cosmetic appearance and graft size. No significant differences between groups for all reported outcomes were observed. Despite the common practice involving moisturizers TRUNCATED AT 500 WORDS.

The effectiveness of moisturizers for the management of burn scars following severe burn injury: a systematic review protocol

Review question/objective The objective of this review is to identify and synthesize the best available evidence on the effectiveness of moisturizer use for the management of burn scars following severe burn injury. More specifically, the review will focus on the following question(s): What are the recommended types of moisturizers used on scar formation in patients who have sustained a burn injury? What is the effectiveness of moisturizer use on scar outcomes, including formation, breakdown, patient acceptance and water loss, following severe burn injury? Background The common mantra that patients often leave a burns unit with is "moisturize and massage". The modality of scar massage is well-recognized as an important part of burn scar management.1 Following the maturation of scar tissue after a burn injury, massage is commenced as part of the standard care offered to victims of burn injury. The premise behind massage is that it maintains joint mobility, aids softening and remodelling of scar tissue and improves scar elasticity through loosening adhering fibrous tissue, whilst also assisting with pruritus, a common side effect of healing following burn injury.1 When healing skin has gained sufficient strength to tolerate massage with the use of friction, scar massage is routinely performed with the use of lubricants,1 which commonly consist of skin moisturizers. Although existing literature provides guidance on the use of products that are fragrance free and free from other skin irritants,1 little is known in regards to recommendations on the ideal composition of moisturizers for optimal scar management. Products used should not have a negative effect on skin/scar integrity, such as breakdown of the skin. Various products have been reported for use in practice as well as in literature on scar management, include aqueous cream BP, bees wax and herbal oil creams,2 silicone based creams and paraffin/petroleum based products. Aqueous cream BP is a readily available and relatively cheap emollient that is fragrance and color free. Its formulation consists of purified water, white soft paraffin, cetearyl alcohol and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), liquid paraffin, and phenoxyethanol. Previously reported as the "standard treatment" for moisturization and massage in some burns units,2 aqueous Cream BP contains SLS, which has been documented as a known skin irritant.3-6 The application of aqueous cream BP in subjects with healthy skin, following the removal of increasing amounts of their stratum corneum, has also been shown to increase transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and disrupt the normal skin maturation process.7 Chronic application of aqueous cream BP was also shown in this study to increase the rate of skin turnover as well as contribute to thinning of the stratum corneum.7 This is of particular concern in burn injury as scar tissue has been shown to have increased TEWL when compared with healthy skin,8. In contrast, a comparison study between aqueous cream BP and bees wax and herbal oil cream indicated that newly healed skin in the bees wax and herbal oil group "appeared supple and moist" when compared to the aqueous BP group. Healing skin in the latter group was reported as appearing dry in contrast.2 Although the study had a small sample size, it did demonstrate that bees wax and herbal oil cream provided a greater reduction in the symptom of itch following burn injury along with a decreased use of antipruritic medications when compared to aqueous cream BP.2 The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of both preparations in the management of post burn itch. Anecdotal reports of alternate formulations, including silicone and petroleum based products (such as Vaseline), being used by burns units around the world are often reported at burns symposiums and forums, with their selection appearing to be based on historical practice, clinician preference, patient tolerance or beliefs in herbal medicine. Pressure garment manufacturers often also recommend the avoidance of petroleum based emollients where pressure garments are worn as they may reduce the elasticity of the pressure garment, in turn reducing its effectiveness and the life of the garment. No review on the optimal lubricant for burn scar management has been identified to date via searches of the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Joanna Briggs Institute Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports and PubMed database, so this review aims to elucidate the best available evidence on the choice of moisturizer in the management of burn scars.

Objective and subjective in vivo comparison of two emollient products

BackgroundFew studies have directly compared the effectiveness of different emollients in vivo, and the important matter of patient preference is generally overlooked.MethodsWe report the results of an assessor-blinded, bilateral, concurrent comparison of two emollient pharmaceutical presentations, ie, Doublebase gel (DB) and Aqueous cream BP (AC), applied by 20 participants three times daily for 7 consecutive days. The primary efficacy endpoint was cumulative improvement in skin hydration measured by corneometry on days 1, 3, and 5 immediately before the first application and approximately 2 hours after the third application of the day. Secondary endpoints were investigator assessment of skin condition at these time points and participant assessment of product acceptability at the end of the study.ResultsBoth products increased skin hydration, but the effect of AC was relatively modest, with morning values readily returning to pretreatment levels. Hydration levels were higher for DB gel, maintained at all time points, and showed stepwise, cumulative increases over the 7 days of use. Overall patient satisfaction scores were higher for DB gel, and especially for “consistency,” “ease of use,” and “ease of absorption into the skin.” Eighty-five percent of participants expressed a desire to use DB gel again as compared with 40% for AC.

Xerosis of the feet: a Title comparative two-deck study on the effectiveness of two moisturizers

The treatment for xerosis (dry skin) is the repeated use of moisturizers to hydrate the skin. Their use is based on sound evidence of the importance of maintaining the skin's water content. Although the skin on the plantar surface of the foot is very thick, it is highly visco-elastic and copes with high levels of frictional, compressive and shear stresses applied to it by being supple and well hydrated. Problems arise when the skin becomes dry and loses its elastic properties. Fissures can occur which are often painful and can act as portals for infection. This article describes a double-blind clinical study to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of two commonly used moisturizers and to see if one was significantly better than the other at hydrating the skin of the feet. The two creams used were Aqueous Cream BP and CCS Foot Care Cream. Skin hydration levels were measured before any application of moisturizer and again after two weeks of twice daily application. Results showed that the regular use of both moisturizers had a significant hydrating effect on the skin. However, CCS Foot Care Cream had a significantly greater hydrating effect than Aqueous Cream BP.

The effect of aqueous cream BP on the skin barrier in volunteers with a previous history of atopic dermatitis

The emollient aqueous cream BP is frequently used for the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD), yet it is associated with a high rate of adverse cutaneous reactions. It contains the harsh anionic surfactant sodium lauryl sulphate, a known negative environmental factor associated with the exacerbation of AD. To investigate the effect of aqueous cream BP on stratum corneum (SC) integrity and skin barrier function in volunteers with a predisposition to a defective skin barrier. Thirteen volunteers with a previous history of AD (no symptoms for 6 months) applied aqueous cream BP twice daily to the volar side of one forearm for 4 weeks. The other forearm was left untreated as a control. Permeability barrier function and SC integrity were determined before and after treatment by measuring transepidermal water loss (TEWL) in conjunction with tape-stripping. For comparison, 13 volunteers with current AD were recruited for assessment, without treatment, of SC integrity and skin barrier function at unaffected sites. Topical application of aqueous cream BP resulted in significant elevation of baseline TEWL and a concomitant decrease in SC integrity. Measurements made after no treatment in volunteers with current AD, at unaffected sites, suggest that application of aqueous cream BP negatively affects the skin barrier towards the damaged state associated with onset of flares of the disease. Aqueous cream BP used as a leave-on emollient caused severe damage to the skin barrier in volunteers with a previous history of AD. Aqueous cream BP should not be used as a leave-on emollient in patients with AD.

Influence of Aqueous Cream BP on corneocyte size, maturity, skin protease activity, protein content and transepidermal water loss

Aqueous Cream BP is frequently prescribed for patients with eczema and is known to induce sensitivity in certain patients and also to decrease the thickness of the stratum corneum (SC). We have previously reported methodology to quantify corneocyte maturity and size, protease activity and protein content within different levels of the SC. The aim of the present study was to investigate changes in corneocyte size, corneocyte maturity, selected protease activities, protein content and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) in normal skin after a 28-day application of Aqueous Cream BP. The left and right mid volar forearms of six healthy female volunteers were selected as the study sites. Aqueous Cream BP was applied twice daily to treated sites for 28 days. At the end of this period, the site was tape-stripped and corneocyte maturity, corneocyte size and protease activity of the desquamatory kallikrein proteases, KLK5 and KLK7, and the inflammatory proteases tryptase and plasmin were measured. Protein content and TEWL measurements were also recorded. Corneocyte maturity and size decreased with increasing number of tape strips, and were significantly lower in treated sites compared with untreated sites. Protease activity and TEWL values were higher (P < 0·05) for the treated sites compared with untreated sites. The amount of protein removed from deeper layers of treated sites was significantly lower than from untreated sites. We report rapid minimally invasive measures of the effects of Aqueous Cream BP at the cellular and molecular level of the skin. Treatment with this formulation is associated with increased desquamatory and inflammatory protease activity. Changes in corneocyte maturity and size are also indicative of accelerated skin turnover induced by chronic application of this emollient. These findings question firmly the routine prescription of this preparation as a moisturizer in patients with atopic dermatitis.

A stability and validation study of 1%w/w menthol in aqueous cream

Abstract In this study an analytical method for the determination of menthol in aqueous cream was developed, together with the complete validation of the production process and stability testing of 18 months' retained reference samples. Cream packed in 500ml plastic screw cap containers was tested and studied. Up to now there has only been a small scale (1.40kg) manual manufacture of 1%w/w menthol in aqueous cream without any formal quality control analysis and testing carried out on the product. The purpose of this work was to enable large scale manufacture of the product, which would require development of an analytical method and validation of the mixing and filling processes. Stability testing of stored reference samples was carried out concurrently. A stability-indicating, gas-liquid chromatographic method, with the use of an internal standard, was developed and validated for the product. Stability testing of samples stored at 25C ± 1C showed no significant degradation over 18 months. Validation of the manufacturing process by a sequential sampling technique showed the process to be satisfactory and workable at all stages. The current formulation in use is 1%w/w menthol triturated directly into aqueous cream BP.

Effect of Aqueous Cream BP on human stratum corneum in vivo

Aqueous Cream BP is widely prescribed to patients with eczema to relieve skin dryness. The formulation contains sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), a chemical that is a known skin irritant and a commonly used excipient in personal care and household products. The chronic effects of Aqueous Cream BP application on skin barrier function have not been determined. To characterize and assess skin barrier function of healthy skin after application of Aqueous Cream BP and to study the physical effects of the formulation on the stratum corneum (SC). The left and right volar forearms of six human volunteers were each separated into treated and control sides. The treated sides of each forearm were subjected to twice daily applications of Aqueous Cream BP for 4 weeks at the end of which concomitant tape stripping and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) measurements were made. The untreated sides of the forearms were not exposed to any products containing SLS during the study period. Changes in SC thickness, baseline TEWL and rate of increase in TEWL during tape stripping were observed in skin treated with Aqueous Cream BP. The mean decrease in SC thickness was 1·1 μm (12%) (P = 0·0015) and the mean increase in baseline TEWL was 2·5 g m⁻² h⁻¹ (20%) (P < 0·0001). Reduced SC thickness and an increase in baseline TEWL, as well as a faster rate of increase in TEWL during tape stripping, were observed in 16 out of 27 treated skin sites. The application of Aqueous Cream BP, containing ∼1% SLS, reduced the SC thickness of healthy skin and increased its permeability to water loss. These observations call into question the continued use of this emollient on the already compromised barrier of eczematous skin.

Studies on the antimicrobial properties of formulated creams and ointments containing &lt;i&gt;Baphia nitida&lt;/i&gt; heartwood extract

Baphia nitida Lodd (camwood) is widely used medicinal plant in Nigeria for treatment of variety of skin infections. The plant is used in unspecified quantities without standardisation. B. nitida extracts were incorporated in some cream and ointment base in order to present the medicinal plant in an elegant and pharmaceutically acceptable dosage form, as one of the major steps in the scientific evaluation and standardisation of the plant product. The formulated products were evaluated for their antimicrobial activities using agar diffusion technique and microbial challenge test. Their performances were compared with those of standard antiseptic creams and ointments. The results of agar diffusion studies on cream and ointment formulations revealed that the topical bases used to disperse the medicaments could significantly affect the antimicrobial effectiveness of the formulation. Formulations prepared with Aqueous cream BP (a more hydrophilic base; 70% aqueous) exhibited greater antimicrobial activity than the formulation with anionic cream base (a less hydrophilic base; 44% aqueous). Antiseptic creams and ointments containing B. nitida extract, which were effective against various test organisms used in this study, were successful formulated in this work. Journal of Pharmacy & Bioresources Vol. 2(2) 2005: 124-130

In vivo investigation, in mice and in man, into the irritation potential of novel amphiphilogels being studied as transdermal drug carriers

Amphiphilogels, gels that consist solely of non-ionic surfactants, are being developed as dermal/transdermal drug delivery vehicles in our laboratories. The irritation potential of two amphiphilogels was investigated on shaved mouse skin, in vivo, and compared to those of Aqueous Cream BP (a moisturiser) and 5% sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) solution (a known irritant). The skin irritation potential of one of these gels was then investigated in human, using Aqueous Cream BP as a negative control. Skin irritation (following daily application of gels and of controls for 5 days) was assessed by laser Doppler velocimetry, a visual erythema scoring method, and histological evaluations of excised mice skin. We found that the amphiphilogels caused no significant increase in blood flow and in epidermal irritation. In contrast, the SLS solution caused significant perturbation to mouse skin. From this study we conclude that these amphiphilogels may be used as dermal/transdermal drug delivery vehicles.

Refractory hand dermatitis

Hand dermatitis is often dismissed by medical practitioners as being trivial because of the limited area of skin involvement. However, the morbidity of sufferers is often not comprehended. All too often patients are not given the benefit of full investigation with appropriate treatment. Psoriasis localized to the hands is frequently misdiagnosed as hyperkeratotic eczema and requires potent treatment to clear. Fungal infections are also commonly overlooked. The majority of hand dermatitis seen in the community is due to irritant contact factors. The importance of identifying all the factors relevant to irritation needs to be communicated to patients. Good hand care needs to be maintained for a minimum period of 3 months after recovery to prevent relapses from occurring. Common failures of response are due to inadequate usage of a potent enough steroid, lack of occlusion, and failure to apply emollients with enough frequency. Any patient with hand dermatitis that has not responded after 4 weeks to advice on improved hand care combined with first-line treatment should be investigated for potential Type I and 1 V hypersensitivity. The pattern of involvement of the hands is often no clue as to causation. No patient should be told to change occupation without such investigations. Primary occupations are often blamed for the cause of dermatitis but in reality secondary occupations and domestic exposure may be the real reason for lack of response to treatment. Patients with resistant hand dermatitis may have to be considered for second line therapies including PUVA, cyclosporin, methotrexate and retinoids. Suggested instruction sheet for patients with hand dermatitis 1 Hand washing: Use lukewarm water and a soap substitute (e.g. Wash E45, Aqueous cream, Emulsifying ointment). If your hands are dirty use a nonperfumed soap without tar or sulphur. The soap should be used sparingly and the hands thoroughly rinsed. Dry carefully with a clean towel, especially between the fingers. If soap is used this should be followed with the application of a nonperfumed moisturizer. 2 If your skin is dry use a nonperfumed moisturizer (e.g. E45 cream, Diprobase cream Neutrogena Norwegian Formula hand cream, Aqueous cream, Oily cream BP, Emulsifying ointment, Liquid Paraffin/White Soft Paraffin) as frequently as possible to restore a feeling of suppleness. As your skin improves the frequency can be reduced. You can use different ones at different times of the day with less greasy preparations used when undertaking paperwork. 3 Avoid contact with detergents and other strong cleansing agents. 4 Avoid contact with shampoo. Use plastic gloves or let someone else shampoo your hair or your children's hair. 5 Avoid contact with polish: metal, wax, shoe, floor, car, furniture and window polishes. 6 Avoid contact with solvents: white spirits, petrol, paraffin, turps, thinners and trichlorethylene (tric). 7 Do not peel or squeeze citrus fruits with bare hands: oranges, lemons, limes, satsumas. 8 Do not apply hair lotion, hair cream or hair dye with bare hands. 9 Wear warm gloves in cold weather. 10 Rings should not be worn for work or housework until the skin has been clear for 3 months. Never wash your hands with soap while wearing a ring. Keep the inside of rings clean (brush under running water). 11 For washing up use running water if possible keeping the temperature of the water low. Use long handled brushes rather than cloths. Always wear gloves when in contact with washing up liquid or detergents. 12 When gloves are worn, use PVC rather than rubber – preferably with cotton gloves inside to reduce sweating and friction. They should not be worn for more than 20 minutes at a time. If water happens to enter a glove, it should be immediately removed. Gloves should be turned inside out and rinsed under warm water several times a week. The outside gloves should be replaced every few weeks for home use and more frequently for industrial use. 13 Washing machines and dishwashers are an ideal way of preventing further attacks. Use a measure when handling detergent powder. Remember that the resistance of the skin is lowered for at least 4 or 5 months after the dermatitis has apparently healed. Therefore continue to follow these instructions.

An Investigation into the Use of Low-Frequency Dielectric Spectroscopy as a Means of Characterizing the Structure of Creams Based on Aqueous Cream BP

□ A range of creams based on Aqueous Cream BP have been analyzed using low-frequency dielectric spectroscopy, with accompanying circuit modeling in combination with rheological and microscopic supportive techniques, to explore the use of the dielectric approach as a novel means of characterizing cream systems. Creams based on the formula for Aqueous Cream BP were produced by hand- mixing and mechanical mixing, with and without the inclusion of the preservative phenoxyethanol. Dielectric analysis was performed over a frequency range of 10-2–105Hz. Cream samples were also examined using stress scan rheology and differential interference contrast microscopy. Dielectric analysis indicated that the presence of preservative decreased the capacitance and loss of the creams. The responses were modeled in terms of a dispersive capacitance in series with two RC circuits (series and parallel). Rheological studies indicated higher viscosities for the hand-mixed and unpreserved systems. Differential interference contrast microscopy showed marked differences in the distribution of the oil droplets, depending on the method of mixing. The study has demonstrated that dielectric spectroscopy, with accompanying circuit analysis, may be used as a means of modeling the structure of cream systems. The investigation has also shown that the formulation and preparation method of Aqueous Cream BP may have a profound effect on sample structure.

Characterisation of the variation in the physical properties of commercial creams using thermogravimetric analysis and rheology

A study was conducted to compare the physical properties of Aqueous Cream BP obtained from different manufacturers. The samples were studied using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and stress scan rheology as complimentary techniques. TGA studies showed two main peaks in the first derivative curves, corresponding to free and lamellar water. The profiles for creams obtained from different manufacturers showed marked variations between the samples, although the total water content was similar in all cases. Similarly, stress scans also showed marked differences between the creams, although no clear correlation between the thermogravimetric and rheological data was observed under the conditions used in the study. Three batches of cream from one manufacturer were then examined. Differences in the rheological properties were again observed, but less marked differences were seen in the TGA profiles. The study indicates that while the chemical composition of commercial aqueous cream may be controlled, considerable variations in the physical properties of these systems may be observed, both between different manufacturers and between batches from the same manufacturer. The implications of the poor correlation between stress scan rheological and thermogravimetric analysis data are discussed in terms of the use of these two methods in the quality control of creams.

Dilutions of corticosteroid creams and ointments — a stability study

A study was carried out on the stability of dilutions of creams and ointments of two corticosteroids, betamethasone valerate and beclomethasone dipropionate. A reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method was developed that is simple, efficient and stability-indicating in respect of the main decomposition products and has the advantage of being carried out at ambient temperature. The effect of water content of the sample solutions and the influence of large injection volumes (200-250 mul) on the resolution of the substances on the chromatogram was investigated. Use of the diluents, cetomacrogol cream (formula A) BP and white soft paraffin BP, resulted in satisfactory products in terms of chemical stability and efficacy of antimicrobial preservation.

A NOTE ON THE RECOVERY OF MICRO-ORGANISMS FROM AN OIL-IN-WATER CREAM

The isolation of micro-organisms from the oil-in-water Aqueous Cream BP, has been examined using a variety of solvent systems to disperse the cream prior to membrane filtration or direct inoculation. Pour-plate methods which utilize combinations of either peptone-water (containing 5% w/v polysorbate 80) or nutrient broth (containing 4% w/v Lubrol W) provided the most efficient recovery of Pseudomonas aeruginosa but still allowed less than 20% recovery. White spirit and isopropyl myristate allowed no recovery when used as dispersants. Recoveries of P. aeruginosa varied according to the source of the cream. A combination of 1% w/v polysorbate 80 in 0.1% w/v peptone-water and membrane filtration allowed 63.2% w/v and 67.0% w/v recoveries respectively of Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans from unpreserved aqueous cream, but gave unreproducible results for Escherichia coli and P. aeruginosa. Chlorocresol 0.1% w/v) did not meet the British Pharmacopoeial requirements for efficacy of antimicrobial preservatives when tested against C. albicans using membrane filtration to isolate the micro-organism.