There is a cream, ointment, or gel for everything from insect bites, eczema, and summer skin infections caused by sweating, to perennial complaints such as mouth ulcers and conjunctivitis.
The beauty of them is that they get to work immediately where they need to, “and because they don’t go through the digestive system and the liver, like pills and oral fluids do, they cause fewer side effects,” says Dr. Faheem Latheef. a dermatologist consultant at Leeds NHS Hospitals Trust.
But with a varied offer and prices that vary enormously, how do you know what to choose?
We asked the experts for their recommendations on the best over-the-counter remedies for common skin complaints.
Eczema / Dry skin
Expert option (for the body): Hydromol ointment, 125 g, £ 6.50, boots.com
Hydromole ointment
“Many people with eczema struggle to find an emollient that moisturizes their skin enough to help with itching and pain,” says Dr. Latheef, as most over-the-counter remedies are not formulated to treat these conditions.
“Dermatologists recommend ointments [which have a Vaseline-like consistency] as creams contain water and need preservatives to prevent the water from “disappearing,” but these added extras can sometimes irritate the skin.
“Ointments, on the other hand, are oil-based and do not contain water, so they do not need these preservatives, but they are usually fatter and more suitable for use on the arms, legs and torso than on the face. .
“Hydromol ointment has good value and is effective against very dry skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis.”
Expert option (for the face): CeraVe moisturizer, 454 g, £ 12.80, boots.com
‘In recent studies [sponsored by the maker]this proved very effective in increasing skin hydration for at least 24 hours after a single application.
‘It contains three ceramides [fat molecules that form a key part of the skin barrier], and deploys multivesicular emulsion, a slow-release technology developed by the manufacturer that gradually releases moisturizing ingredients for 24 hours instead of all at once as with conventional creams. It also has no fragrance, so it is less likely to irritate sensitive skin and is not comedogenic. [won’t clog pores]. ‘
Conjunctivitis
Expert Choice: 1% Numark Chloramphenicol Eye Ointment, 4g, £ 3, doorsteppharmacy.com
“Chloramphenicol is an antibiotic that kills the bacteria responsible for eye infections such as conjunctivitis,” says Sultan Dajani, a Hampshire pharmacist.
“Use the ointment version instead of eye drops so that the drops can be diluted with teary eyes, making them less effective. The ointment will not dilute in the same way, but will make your vision blurred. for a while.
“It’s also good for cleaning bugs and doesn’t need to be stored in the fridge like eye drops do, as the active ingredient stays stable at room temperature.
“Opt for your own pharmacy brand, such as Numark, instead of a branded version, as it’s the same but costs £ 3 compared to £ 5.99 for Optrex’s infected eye ointment, for example .
“Use it three to four times a day, reducing it as its symptoms subside. You can buy it without a prescription for adults and children from the age of two, but you will need a prescription for children under two.
Numark chloramphenicol 1% eye ointment
Acne
Expert Choice: Acnecide 5% Benzoyl Peroxide Gel, 30g, £ 6.59, chemist-4-u.com
“The best over-the-counter products for mild acne are those that contain 5% benzoyl peroxide, like acnecide,” says Dr. Latheef. ‘Benzoyl peroxide kills the bacteria that contribute to acne; it also removes excess oil and dead cells from the clogged pores on which bacteria feed.
“And if you’re taking certain antibiotics for acne (like limecycline, prescribed for moderate to severe acne) using a gel that contains benzoyl peroxide in addition to these drugs, it means more bacteria are being destroyed, reducing the chances of antibiotic resistance “.
Acnecida 5% benzoyl peroxide gel
Muscle pain
Expert Choice: Ibuleve Gel for 5% Pain Relief, 50g, £ 6.50, boots.com
“I often recommend this gel to patients,” says Tim Allardyce, a Surrey Physio physiotherapist.
“It contains 5% ibuprofen, an anti-inflammatory. Ibuprofen tablets are not suitable for everyone, especially for those with stomach ulcers [it irritates the stomach lining] or asthma [it can worsen symptoms]. And even though you get a slightly lower dose of ice, as it has to penetrate the skin, at least you can rub it where you need it and you don’t have to digest it.
“There is also a maximum strength version of 10 percent, but it starts with the lowest strength. You may not need the highest dose, although there are virtually no chances of side effects with a head gel. the two forces.
Ibuleve gel to relieve pain 5%.
Virasoothe cooling gel to relieve chickenpox
Itching of the skin / chickenpox
Expert Choice: Virasoothe Cooling Gel for Chickenpox Relief, 75g, £ 9.50, boots.com
“This is much better for treating chickenpox than the better known calamine lotion,” says Sultan Dajani.
‘Calamine lotion dries on the skin, causing itching and scratches that can cause scarring. It also leaves a messy, calcareous residue and should be reapplied several times a day.
“But Virasoothe is much more soothing as it contains glycerin, carbomer and sodium hydroxide, ingredients that attract moisture to the surface of the skin.
“This calming effect means fewer scratches [and potential scarring]. And the effects last up to eight hours. ‘
Cracked heels
Expert Choice: Flexitol Heel Balm, 112g, £ 9.49, superdrug.com
Flexitol heel balm
“Cracked heels can deepen into cracks if left untreated and are potentially a place where microorganisms enter the body,” says Dr. Latheef.
“Untreated, this can cause skin infections such as cellulite [a bacterial infection in the deeper layers of the skin]athlete’s foot from fungus, and warts or warts from viruses.
“The risk of infection is higher if you have diabetes because the immune system is weaker and there is often poor blood circulation to the feet.
“Because the lack of moisture on the skin around the area is one of the most common reasons for cracked heels, using an effective moisturizer twice a day can help a lot.
“Flexitol heel balm contains 25 percent urea, which attracts moisture from the air, blocking the skin.”
Mouth ulcers
Expert Choice: Buccal Ulcer Treatment with Iglu Rapid Relief Gel, 8g, £ 6.29, boots.com
“Mouth ulcers can be caused by a weakened immune system, injuries and grinding of teeth at night, as well as by certain bacteria and food sensitivities,” says James Goolnik, a dentist at Bow Lane Dental Group in London.
‘They can appear on the inside of the cheeks, lips, tongue and gums and, more rarely, on the palate. They sometimes form in painful groups.
“Iglu gel contains an anesthetic, lidocaine hydrochloride, which numbs the area while the ulcer heals, as well as aminoacridine hydrochloride, a disinfectant that kills the bacteria responsible for it and paraffin wax, which forms a protective coating to prevent the entry of food and bacteria.
‘Try to avoid eating with ice on. It lasts about an hour and can be reapplied as needed. The igloo can be bought without a prescription for anyone over the age of seven, but seek medical or dental advice for any ulcer that does not heal in ten days. “
Treatment of mouth ulcer with Iglu rapid relief gel
Stings and stings
Expert choice: Anthisan cream, 25 g, £ 4.49, boots.com
“If you have a localized sting or an allergic reaction to a bite, the best bet is to rub an antihistamine cream, such as Anthisan, on the affected area,” says Sultan Dajani.
“It works immediately and contains an antihistamine called mepiramine maleate. Histamine is a chemical produced by the body and stored in cells called mast cells in almost every tissue in the body. When the body reacts to a foreign substance, such as a sting, mast cells break down, releasing their histamine reserves, which produce symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as inflammation, redness, and itchy skin.
‘Mepiramine stabilizes mast cells, preventing them from breaking. Antihistamine pills are not very useful if you have just been bitten, as they take two or three days to take effect.
Anti-health cream
Fungal infections
Expert choice: Clotrimazole 1% cream, 20 g, £ 1.99, chemist-4-u.com
“This is effective in treating fungal infections of the skin, such as athlete’s foot, fungal diaper rash, and infections of the groin, armpit, or skin folds,” says Sultan Dajani.
“The active ingredient, clotrimazole, kills fungal infection by relieving itching. Use for five days afterwards to prevent the remaining spores from germinating.
“Save money by buying your own brand of pharmacy like this, instead of a better known name like Canesten, which costs around £ 3.49.”
Clotrimazole 1% cream
Remote health
Improve patient care by long-distance monitoring. This week: Mental health patients
A new credit card-sized tool has been developed to help remotely monitor mental health patients to detect heart problems caused by antipsychotic medications.
Developed by AliveCor KardiaMobile, the device is a portable electrocardiogram (ECG): it allows healthcare professionals to take accurate readings of a patient’s heart rate without having to go to a hospital. The assessment, which can be done at home, is also less intrusive and saves time.
The results are sent to the clinical team via Bluetooth on a mobile phone or tablet; then the readings can be analyzed to decide if a patient’s treatment needs to be changed. The device is currently in use in Yorkshire and the North East, reducing delays in cardiac review.