“Petroleum Jelly: Health Benefits and Uses”

Helps Wounds Heal: Petroleum jelly hit the market almost 150 years ago. It’s still a favorite of dermatologists. That’s because it seals water into your skin. That’s good for your wounds because they need a moist place to heal. It may take up to twice as long for dry injured skin to get better. This oily moisturizer may also ease the redness of a new scar and lower your chances of infection. It also won’t burn when you put it on. 

Relief for Eczema and Psoriasis: With some conditions, your skin may have a hard time keeping water in and bad stuff out. If it’s really dry, it could crack and let in bacteria. Petroleum jelly may help your skin and the medicines you take work better. It can ease inflammation and keep your skin moist. This can help you itch and scratch less. To get the most out of your petroleum jelly, use it on your skin when it’s damp.

Help for Atopic Dermatitis in Babies: Petroleum jelly can relieve itchy skin in newborns and infants. If atopic dermatitis (eczema) runs in your family, petroleum jelly may be a low-cost way to help your child avoid it. You can start to use it on your baby’s skin about 3 weeks after they’re born.

It Can Kill Mature Lice, but Not the Eggs: Like mayonnaise, petroleum jelly is a home remedy for lice. Research shows it may kill adult lice. But it doesn’t keep the eggs, known as nits, from hatching. That means it’s not a good way to control lice. Instead, you should use a medicine that’s made to kill lice, called a pediculicide.

Blister Prevention: Before you head out for a run, rub some petroleum jelly between your legs or on your heels. It may keep you from chafing in areas that rub together. If you do get a blister, petroleum jelly on your sore can help it heal.

Diaper Rash Relief: Petroleum jelly protects the skin from outside stuff. That includes your baby's poop and pee. You can use it between diaper changes if your baby gets a rash.  Dermatologists like it because there are no fragrances or preservatives. That’s good for babies' butts and parents' hands.  And there’s no evidence that costly diaper rash creams work better than petroleum jelly. But that doesn’t mean you have to toss them. If you like the way a cream smells or feels, keep using it.

Hemorrhoid Help: Petroleum jelly may help you feel better if you have a flare. You can add a layer inside your anal area to protect your sensitive skin. This may make it more comfortable to poop. You may itch and hurt less, too.

Windburn Prevention: Petroleum jelly can protect your skin against wind and cold. Just rub a thin layer on any area that might get exposed to the air. You can also dab a little under your runny nose if it gets dry. But you may want to avoid areas that are acne-prone. Petroleum jelly can trap bacteria and oil in your skin. That can make your breakouts worse.

Eye Moisturizer: The skin around your eyes is really thin. This means it can get bothered easily. A layer of petroleum jelly can give your eyelids some added moisture. It’s also a safe way to remove eye makeup. But try not to get any inside your eye. It’s not likely to cause an allergic reaction, but it could add bacteria.   

Protection for Your Pet’s Paws: Rub a little petroleum jelly on your dog’s paw pads before you take them out for a winter walk. It can protect their feet from the cold and from salt on the sidewalks. This oily layer can also moisturize your pet’s skin if they have atopic dermatitis.

Nail Moisturizer: You don’t need costly creams to keep your nails in good shape. Petroleum jelly can hydrate all parts of your hands. If your nails are brittle, it can help fill in and smooth out some of the ridges and rough spots. If you get manicures a lot, you may want to dab some on after your next session. But make sure your nails are still a little damp first to seal in the water.

How to Avoid Greasiness: A little petroleum jelly goes a long way. But if you don’t want it on your fingers at all, use a small spatula to put on a thin layer wherever you want to use it. If you moisturize your hands or feet, just put on gloves or socks after. But keep in mind that oil-based products may stain fabric or carpet.

Can You Use It With Oxygen Therapy? Some experts think you shouldn't use petroleum jelly while you’re on oxygen therapy because there’s a small chance the combo could start a fire if there's a spark. But there’s no evidence that this happens a lot. There’s another reason you may want to avoid using an oil-based moisturizer in your nose. It’s rare, but petroleum jelly could hurt your lungs. To be safe, try a water-based option instead.

Don’t Put It on Your New Sunburn: Oil-based products can keep heat inside your skin. If your skin is burned, it’s better to use aloe vera or soy-based products on it. And you’ll probably peel after a sunburn no matter what moisturizer you use. That’s because ultraviolet rays from the sun hurt the cells in your skin. A moisturizer can’t undo the damage. But it may help you heal faster and make your peeling less visible. 

Don’t Eat It: In large doses, petroleum jelly can give you diarrhea or stomach cramps. It may make you throw up. Keep it away from kids and pets. You don’t need to worry if they get a little in their mouth. But if they can’t swallow or they cough a lot, call the poison control center at 800-222-1222.

Don’t Use It for Sex: It’s a bad idea to use petroleum jelly when you have sex. It could cause latex condoms to break. If you’re female, it might raise your chances of getting bacterial vaginosis. Try a water-based option instead.

There Are Natural Oil-Based Options: Petroleum jelly comes from a fossil fuel. If you’d like a natural choice, try pure shea butter, cocoa butter, or cold-pressed coconut oil. They may not stay on as well, but they’ll keep your skin moist.

Reviewed by: Stephanie S. Gardner, MD on October 19, 2019

Sources:

Steve Xu, MD, dermatologist; instructor, Northwestern Medicine Feinberg School of Medicine.
Google Patents: “Improvement in products from petroleum.”
The Journal of Clinical Investigation: “Skin care in the aging female: myths and truths.”
Indian Journal of Dermatology: "Moisturizers: The Slippery Road."
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: “Petrolatum: Barrier repair and antimicrobial responses underlying this 'inert' moisturizer.”
Indian Dermatology Online Journal: “Topical Therapies in Psoriasis.”
Seminars in Plastic Surgery: Update on Postsurgical Scar Management.”
JAMA Pediatrics: “Cost-effectiveness of Prophylactic Moisturization for Atopic Dermatitis.”
American Academy of Pediatrics: “Head Lice.”
The Journal of Pediatric Nurses: “Home remedies to control head lice: assessment of home remedies to control the human head louse, Pediculus humanus capitis (Anoplura: Pediculidawe).”
CDC: “Parasites: Treatment.”
American Academy of Dermatology: “How to prevent and treat blisters,” “5 ways to use petroleum jelly for skin care,” “Treating sunburn.” 
Harvard Health Publishing: “Hemorrhoids.”
Cleveland Clinic: “Top 6 Winter Health Hazards and How to Beat Them.”
American Academy of Ophthalmology: “How To Use Cosmetics Safely Around Your Eyes,” “Can petroleum jelly (Vaseline) be put into an eye that was scratched by being poked with paper?”
University of Illinois Extension: “Stain Solutions: Petroleum Jelly.” 
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center: “Oxygen Safety in the Hospital.”
American Lung Association: “Using Oxygen Safely.”
University of Chicago Medicine, Comer Children’s: “Caring for Your Child on Oxygen.”
Mayo Clinic: “Petroleum jelly: Safe for a dry nose?”
International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy: “Safety in the use of Vaseline during oxygen therapy: the pharmacist’s perspective.”
Northern New England Poison Center: “Petroleum Jelly (Vaseline, Aquaphor)."
Obstetrics and Gynecology: “Intravaginal practices and risk of bacterial vaginosis and candidiasis infection among a cohort of women in the United States.”
Journal of Applied Sciences: "A Review on Petroleum: Source, Uses, Processing, Products and the Environment." 

Much Love, Dr.Shermaine, #InformativeRead #PleaseShare #HealthyBodySoulAndSpirit #IWantYou2LiveWell

The Goal is to Always Make You Aware of What Concerns Your Body, Soul and Spirit, So You Can Have Open, Honest and Frequent Discussions With Your Physicians and Counselors. You Can’t Treat or Cure What You Don’t Know is Sick.

"It's Not Selfish to Love Yourself, Take Care of Yourself and to Make Your Happiness a Priority. It's a Necessity." (Mandy Hale)

"Self-Care is Not Selfish. You Cannot Serve From an Empty Vessel." (Eleanor Brown)

The contents of the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites ("Content") are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites!

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. WebMD and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the Sites. Reliance on any information provided by WebMD, WebMD employees, others appearing on the Site at the invitation of WebMD, and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine or other visitors to the Sites is solely at your own risk.  

Foods That Make You Look Younger”

GET GORGEOUS: You can head off a lot of your most common beauty concerns simply by downing the right foods. That's right—eating well not only does wonders for your waistline and bolsters your immune system but can also provide some very real get-gorg benefits, such as smoothing wrinkles, giving hair a glossy shine and strengthening flimsy nails. "Your diet directly affects your day-to-day appearance and plays a significant role in how well you age," says Joshua Zeichner, MD. The smart approach, Dr. Zeichner says, is to create a plan that includes what he calls "the building blocks of healthy skin and hair"—nutrients, minerals and fatty acids—as well as antioxidants to protect your body from damaging environmental stresses. Get ready to nab some beauty-boosting perks by tossing these essential face-saving edibles into your grocery cart.

COFFEE: Grabbing some java every morning doesn't just jump-start your day—that cup of joe has bioactive compounds that may help protect your skin from melanoma (the fifth most common cancer in the U.S.), according to a recent report in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Researchers found that the more coffee people downed, the less likely they were to get the disease: Those drinking four cups daily had a 20 percent lower risk of developing malignant melanoma over a 10-year period than non-coffee drinkers.

WATERMELON: The summertime fave is loaded with lycopene. "This antioxidant compound gives watermelon and tomatoes their red color—and helps skin stave off UV damage," says nutrition pro Keri Glassman, RD, founder of NutritiousLife.com. Researchers believe that the melon contains as much as 40 percent more of the phytochemical than raw tomatoes; that's the equivalent of an SPF 3, so use it to bolster (not replace) your daily dose of sunscreen.

POMEGRANATES: The seeds of this wonder fruit are bursting with antioxidants, like vitamin C, that prevent fine lines, wrinkles and dryness by neutralizing the free radicals that weather skin. A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that higher vitamin C intake lessened the likelihood of dryness and wrinkles in middle-aged women. Also in the fruit's arsenal: anthocyanins (which help increase collagen production, giving skin a firmer look) and ellagic acid (a natural chemical that reduces inflammation caused by UV damage).

BLUEBERRIES: Boost radiance by popping some of these plump little beauties. Blueberries supply vitamins C and E (two antioxidants that work in tandem to brighten skin, even out tone and fight off free-radical damage), as well as arubtin, "a natural derivative of the skin lightener hydroquinone," Dr. Zeichner says.

LOBSTER: High in zinc, shellfish has anti-inflammatory properties that can help treat a range of skin annoyances, acne included. "Zinc accelerates the renewal of skin cells," says Whitney Bowe, MD, clinical assistant professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. "That's why you find the nutrient in many acne medications." In fact, research shows that people with acne have lower levels of zinc than people with clear skin.

KALE: On the long list of this leafy green's nutrients are vitamin K (it promotes healthy blood clotting, so the blood vessels around the eyes don't leak and cause Walking Dead-like shadows) and loads of iron. "Insufficient levels of iron in your diet can cause your skin to look pale, making it easier to spot blood vessels under the skin," explains Howard Murad, MD, associate clinical professor of medicine at UCLA. To max out the benefits, eat the veggie cooked, not raw.

EGGS: Your fingernails (toenails, too) are made of protein, so a deficiency can turn those talons soft. Keep yours thick and mani-pedi-ready by cracking smart: "Eggs are a good source of biotin, a B complex vitamin that metabolizes amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein," says Frank Lipman, MD, director of Eleven-Eleven Wellness Center in New York City.

WALNUTS: Omega-3 fatty acids (found in the natural oils that keep your hair hydrated) and vitamin E (which helps repair damaged follicles) are two secrets behind strong, lustrous strands—and these nuts are full of both, Dr. Lipman says. All you need is 1/4 cup a day. What's more, walnuts are packed with copper, which will help keep your natural color rich: Studies show that being deficient in the mineral may be a factor in going prematurely gray.

AVOCADO: Like you need another reason to love them: These rich fruits are high in oleic acid, an omega-9 fatty acid that helps skin retain moisture in the outer layer to keep it soft, plump and supple, Dr. Bowe says.

CANTALOUPE: The sweet melon contains beta carotene, or vitamin A, which is believed to regulate the growth of skin cells on your scalp and sebum in the skin's outer layer, Dr. Zeichner says. This keeps pores from getting clogged and causing flakes.

POP A PILL TO GET PRETTY: Hearing more about beauty supplements? Nutraceuticals, as they're called, are big news right now—and with good reason. "There is clinical proof that some of these supplements, which are basically a preformulated set of ingredients, really work," notes Joshua Zeichner, MD. Here are three worth downing.

BIOMARINE COMPLEX: A lot of interesting stuff is lurking beneath the sea, according to Dr. Zeichner, who points to a study in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology showing that a supplement containing marine protein powder, along with other nutrients and vitamins, helped regenerate skin cells in the scalp, resulting in increased hair growth after 90 days. Go fish! A good source: Viviscal Extra Strength Dietary Supplements, $39; walmart.com.

PROBIOTICS: To get healthy skin, you need a healthy gut. "Oral probiotics, filled with 'good' bacteria, help maintain a balance between good and bad bacteria in your system to help your body dial down the inflammation that can trigger a host of skin problems, including acne, rosacea and dandruff," says Whitney Bowe, MD. A good source: Align Probiotic Supplements, $29; drugstore.com

GREEN TEA EXTRACT: By now you know there's a great deal this bionic brew can offer—yep, younger-looking skin, too. Double down on the benefits by adding a supplement to your daily sips: "The high concentration of polyphenols, powerful antioxidants found in green tea, help make skin more resistant to UV damage that leads to premature aging," says Frank Lipman, MD. A good source: Vitamin World Super Strength Green Tea Extract, $26; vitaminworld.com.

By: Barbara Stepko, Health Magazine

Much Love, Dr.Shermaine, #InformativeRead #PleaseShare #HealthyBodySoulAndSpirit #IWantYou2LiveWell

The Goal is to Always Make You Aware of What Concerns Your Body, Soul and Spirit, So You Can Have Open, Honest and Frequent Discussions With Your Physicians and Counselors. You Can’t Treat or Cure What You Don’t Know is Sick.
 
"It's Not Selfish to Love Yourself, Take Care of Yourself and to Make Your Happiness a Priority. It's a Necessity." (Mandy Hale)

"Self-Care is Not Selfish. You Cannot Serve From an Empty Vessel." (Eleanor Brown)

The contents of the Health Magazine and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on the Health Magazine and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites ("Content") are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the Health Magazine and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine Sites!

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. Health Magazine and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, products, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the Sites. Reliance on any information provided by Health Magazine, Health Magazine employees, others appearing on the Site at the invitation of Health Magazine, and Self-Care With Dr. Shermaine or other visitors to the Sites is solely at your own risk.