According to new research, petroleum jelly cannot help protect minor
cuts, scrapes and burns. The research suggests immediately slathering
an open wound with this ointment might be a bad idea. Scientists have
studied how the skin creates its own “natural plaster” to help heal
these injuries. Oil-based substances, such as petroleum jelly, appear
to disrupt this important process, and might increase the risk of
wound infection, they say in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends petroleum jelly for
keeping a wound moist and to help prevent it from drying out and
forming a scab, because they take longer to heal. This will also help
prevent a scar from getting too large, deep or itchy. As long as the
wound is cleaned daily, it is not necessary to use anti-bacterial
ointments, says the AAD. Some NHS hospitals recommend it to patients
with surgical wounds that have already started to heal, and it forms
part of the first aid kit in some contact sports, including rugby
union where it is used by the England team. However, Prof Robert
Ariens and colleagues at the University of Leeds say their
observations with human and animal tissue suggest this may not be the
best immediate approach to wound management. They found that a
microscopic protein film forms rapidly over a wound as part of the
natural clotting process. Medical imaging reveals the film – made up
of a substance called fibrin – has tiny pores that let air reach the
wound but are too small to allow bacteria and some viruses to pass
through. Prof Ariens said: “We did laboratory and animal studies which
showed this film could be a barrier against microbial infection for at
least 12 hours, and this gives the immune system time to get white
blood cells to the wound to counteract any infection.” Adding
petroleum jelly perforated the protective film. Prof Ariens said: “If
you get a scrape or a cut it is best to let it clot for half an hour
to let the film form. Do clean it of course if it needs it, but the
clot will make its own perfect plaster. After that, it might not be so
bad to add petroleum jelly, but before then, from our findings, it
appears to damage this film.” Independent wound care advisor Jacqui
Fletcher, who is also the clinical editor of the journal Wound UK,
said: “You do see it used in sports. Boxing is a good example. If the
fighter gets a cut they can use it to stop the blood running down the
face so that they can continue the fight. “But that’s about a quick
fix rather than a suitable dressing.” She said, in terms of infection
risk, a concern was using petroleum jelly that had been kept in the
cupboard for a long time. “People tend to have pots that have been
open for a long time and dip a finger in, which might not be clean.”
The manufacturer of a leading brand of petroleum jelly was contacted
by the BBC for a comment. Dr Nick Levell, president of the British
Association of Dermatologists, said: “Skin healing is important in
both the healthy and those with skin disorders.
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