Soft petrolatum base

Petrolatum has also been tentatively implicated in the formation of spherulosis of the upper respiratory tract following use of a petrolatum-based ointment packing after surgery, and lipoid pneumonia following excessive use in the perinasal area. Other adverse reactions to petrolatum include granulomas (paraffinomas) following injection into soft tissue. Also, when taken orally, petrolatum acts as a mild laxative and may inhibit the absorption of lipids and lipid-soluble nutrients. 

White soft paraffin and yellow soft paraffin are mixtures of semi-solid hydrocarbons. They are used as bases for ointments, as emollients in skin diseases, and as lubricants in treating dry eyes. Soft paraffin is also known as petroleum jelly, petrolatum, and Vaseline. 

Petrolatum and lanolin alcohols is a soft solid used in topical pharmaceutical formulations and cosmetics as an ointment base with emollient properties. It is also used in the preparation of creams and lotions. Petrolatum and lanolin alcohols can be used to absorb wound exudates. See Table I. 

In its strictest definitive form, an ointment is classified as any semi-solid containing fatty material and intended for external application (U.S. Pharmocopeia, USP). In this discussion, ointments will be defined as semisolid anhydrous external preparations. In the nineteenth century, ointments were based on lard, a compounding material, the usefulness of which was severely limited by its tendency to turn rancid. Early in the twentieth century, lard was replaced by petrolatum (white or yellow soft paraffin or petroleum jelly). In present practice, nonmedicated ointments (ointment bases) are used alone, for emollient or lubricating purposes, or in combination with a drug for therapeutic purposes. 

Materials applied by dipping the article to be protected in the hot molten material are usually based on petrolatum. Corrosion prevention depends largely on the barrier provided by the film, but for improved protection, corrosion inhibitors are added. The film may be relatively hard and waxy or quite soft like pharmaceutical petroleum jelly. 

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