Eczema creams and ointments are very common eczema treatments. You can easily find them at local drug stores and some grocery marts where they are sold as prescription medications or as over the counter or OTC eczema medications. While these two popular products are considered to be a single product with two different names, these are actually two distinct treatments for eczema with similarities and differences.
Both the eczema ointment and the eczema cream share the same form and that is being topical applications. As topical applications, they are simply applied on the skin and the eczema medication which they contain will then penetrate the skin and spread throughout the skin\'s layers and structures. Eczema ointments and creams also share the advantage of speedy absorption and speedy delivery of effects. When applied on the skin, the eczema medication which they contain can be absorbed within 10 to 15 minutes and results can be expected within an hour after skin absorption.
Both eczema creams and ointments also contain one or more eczema medications, with varying combinations and concentrations (or amount of medication per gram of ointment or cream) depending on their manufacturer and brand. The eczema medication that they contain can be corticosteroids such as hydrocortisone, desonide, clobetasol propionate, fluocinonide, clobetasone butyrate, bethamethasone valerate, and triamcinolone; immunomodulators such as pimecrolimus and tacrolimus; or antihistamines like capsaicin. Steroids such as corticosteroids are very effective in suppressing eczema symptoms. Immunomodulators, meanwhile, suppress the immune system and its contribution to the worsening of rashes. Lastly, antihistamines are known to decrease the itchiness of rashes and ultimately provide relief.
However, an eczema ointment has more differences to an eczema cream when both are contrasted. One major difference between the two is that despite their similar forms as topical applications, they do have varying formulations. While the eczema ointment is oil-based, an eczema cream is water-based. Therefore, the aforementioned eczema medications are dispersed in an oil compound with an eczema ointment. But with eczema creams, the eczema medications are dispersed in a water based compound. When you rub an eczema cream between your fingers, it will feel watery compared to an eczema ointment which will feel oily and a bit slimy.
Eczema creams and ointments also look differently before and after being applied on the skin. Eczema creams normally contain a white color and after being applied on the skin, the cream\'s white color eventually fades and turns translucent. The translucence of an eczema cream is in reality pretty good since it blends with your skin\'s color and appearance so it wouldn\'t seem that you applied anything on your skin. In contrast, eczema ointments are initially translucent. When an eczema ointment is applied on the skin, it will instantly give off a shiny appearance which will stay until the ointment is cleaned off from the skin.
An eczema ointment and cream also differ in terms of how easily they can be removed from the skin. Rationally, since a cream is water-based, it can easily easily washed off with water. Even sweat can get rid of the cream on the skin. Alternatively, the eczema ointment is tougher to remove because as an oil-based application, water, sweat, and friction aren\'t enough to get rid the ointment.
The packaging and prices of eczema creams and ointments are also different. An eczema ointment is usually more expensive than a cream and is packaged in a small tube. An eczema cream is usually cheaper than an eczema ointment and can be packaged in small or big tubes or even in twist bottles.
Despite the similarities of an eczema ointment and an eczema cream, both are essentially different because they have varying formulations, appearances, and degrees of resistance to natural forces such as water, sweat, and friction. Eczema creams and ointments also come in different packages and sizes, as well as different price ranges. Even so, both are still eczema treatments to be reckoned with because they contain eczema medication which can help you get rid of eczema rashes.
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About the Author
Charles Perkins is a skin care professional. For more knowledge about eczema ointment, visit http://www.GoodbyeEczema.com/Eczema-Ointment/
