From manuka honey to lanolin and tea tree, we review remedies for minor wounds

They’re the first-aid staples we turn to for minor cuts and burns. But antiseptic and wound-healing creams now contain a wide array of ingredients, from medical agents to natural bug-fighters. But are they any better for it? 

Caroline Jones asked London-based consultant dermatologists Dr Ophelia Veraitch, from the Cranley Clinic, and Dr Kristina Semkova, from the Cadogan Clinic, for their verdicts. We then rated them. 

Germolene Antiseptic Cream

55g, £2.19, superdrug.com

Claim: This well-known cream ‘combines the antiseptic action of chlorhexidine’ with a ‘soothing local anaesthetic to numb the pain’. Apply after cleaning the affected area with warm water.

Expert verdict: Dr Semkova says: ‘A favourite for almost 100 years, Germolene’s main ingredient is chlorhexidine — recommended by the World Health Organisation to prevent surgical infections. But it can occasionally cause allergic reactions.

‘Minor burns, stings and cuts can be painful, so the numbing chemical — phenol — in this cream offers some comfort.

‘Germolene also contains zinc oxide which has a drying effect, making it useful for oozing burns as it absorbs the watery liquid produced as the skin heals.’ 

8/10

Germolene Antiseptic Cream

Germolene Antiseptic Cream

Rose & Co Zam-Buk ointment

20g, £3.99, amazon.co.uk

Rose & Co Zam-Buk ointment

Rose & Co Zam-Buk ointment

Claim: ‘A herbal antiseptic ointment containing eucalyptus, pine and thyme oils,’ which soothe stings and blisters as well as cuts and burns, says the maker.

Expert verdict: ‘There’s poor scientific evidence to support the use of essential oils such as these as broad-spectrum [killing a range of germs] antiseptics,’ says Dr Semkova.

‘Overall, they appear to have minor antiseptic qualities but only when used in larger quantities than in this product. These oils can also irritate skin.

‘This would be much less effective than a standard antiseptic — I wouldn’t recommend it.’ 

3/10

Neosporin antibiotic

Neosporin antibiotic

Neosporin antibiotic

28.3g. £9.31, iherb.com

Claim: ‘Powerful pain and itch relief for cuts, scrapes and burns.’ 

It offers ‘24-hour infection protection and minimises the appearance of scars’.

Expert verdict: ‘This product contains antibiotics rather than antiseptics,’ says Dr Semkova. 

‘These aim to kill bacteria, while antiseptics inhibit the growth of bacteria. So using antibiotics for minor wounds is like taking a sledgehammer to the problem.

‘And there’s the danger that overusing antibiotics can lead bacteria to become resistant.

‘It also contains the numbing agent pramoxine, which could be helpful for temporarily reducing itching and pain, for instance in minor burns.

‘The vitamin E in this can assist skin healing and reduce scarring by helping to reduce inflammation and strengthening the skin barrier. 

But both this and one of the antibiotics this product contains, neomycin, could irritate some skins.

‘Despite the claim of 24-hour infection protection, the way the body absorbs this product’s active ingredients means you’d actually need to apply it three times a day. So although this could be helpful for infected wounds, it wouldn’t be my first choice.’ 

6/10

Activon 100% Manuka Honey

25g, £5.49, manukahoneydirect.co.uk

Claim: This medical-grade manuka honey promises to provide a ‘moist wound-healing environment’, especially for ‘leg ulcers, surgical wounds, burns and infected wounds’. Don’t use it if you’re allergic to bee venom.

Expert verdict: ‘There is impressive scientific evidence to support the use of medical-grade manuka honey — which means it contains a high amount of naturally antibacterial methylglyoxal — to accelerate wound healing,’ says Dr Semkova.

‘Its acidic pH encourages the skin’s damage-repairing fibroblast cells to multiply faster and rebuild tissue. Manuka honey also absorbs moisture, which dehydrates bacteria and reduces infection rates.

‘Most importantly, studies have found that methylglyoxal can successfully prevent a “bacterial biofilm” [a thin but resilient layer of bacteria] forming on wounds.

‘But it’s vital to use purified, medical-grade manuka honey, as untreated supermarket versions could contain rogue bacteria and cause infection.

‘Medical-grade manuka honey is best for deep, infected wounds such as leg ulcers, which take a long time to heal, but works equally well on small cuts.’ 

9/10 

Activon 100% Manuka Honey

Activon 100% Manuka Honey

Bepanthen Plus Healing Cream

30g, £8.49, amazon.co.uk

Claim: ‘An antiseptic cream that when applied to superficial wounds prevents infection and promotes healing without stinging.’ Apply daily to cleaned wounds, until completely healed.

Expert verdict: ‘This product is my go-to for home use,’ says Dr Semkova. ‘It contains chlorhexidine, the same effective antiseptic that’s in Germolene, but with the addition of dexpanthenol, a compound that helps cells to regenerate for wound healing. It’s also a useful moisturising ingredient, so it can reduce skin irritation.

‘This contains other soothing, moisturising ingredients, including the mineral oil liquid paraffin, which helps reduce stinging when applied to the skin. Excellent for all minor wounds.’ 

9/10

Bepanthen Plus Healing Cream

Bepanthen Plus Healing Cream

Weleda Cuts and Grazes skin salve

Weleda Cuts and Grazes skin salve

Weleda Cuts and Grazes skin salve

25g, £8.25, hollandandbarrett.com

Claim: ‘A herbal medicinal product used for the treatment of cuts, wounds and minor abrasions,’ it contains the herb calendula, which the maker says ‘has natural antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties’.

Expert verdict: Dr Veraitch says: ‘There is mixed scientific evidence for the beneficial use of the herbal extract calendula [a flowering plant from the marigold family] in wound healing, with some suggesting it has a soothing and anti-inflammatory effect on damaged skin.

‘Certainly none of the studies suggests that it’s detrimental, so it is unlikely to do any harm. However, more studies are needed.

‘My concern would be the lanolin [a waterproof oil found in sheep’s skin]. This can cause irritation or allergic reactions, so I wouldn’t recommend it. Avoid if you have eczema or sensitive skin.’ 

5/10

Savlon Advanced Healing Gel

50g, £4.20, boots.com

Claim: This gel ‘helps create optimal healing conditions to promote faster healing and reduce the likelihood of scarring’ for minor wounds and burns. It uses what the maker calls a ‘hydro-active colloid formulation’. Clean and dry the affected area and apply once or twice daily.

Expert verdict: Dr Veraitch says: ‘A hydro-active colloid is a gel made mainly from water, which creates the optimal level of moisture for a wound to heal. This can also reduce scarring — the faster a wound heals, the less chance of infection which disrupts the new skin cells from healing in a flat, ordered way.

‘Although this doesn’t contain a specific antiseptic ingredient, it helps prevent infection by forming a barrier over the damaged skin, keeping bacteria out. Well-hydrated skin is also less likely to become cracked, again preventing harmful bacteria getting in.’

9/10

Savlon Advanced Healing Gel

Savlon Advanced Healing Gel

Nelsons Tea Tree Natural Antiseptic

30g, £4.99, amazon.co.uk

Nelsons Tea Tree Natural Antiseptic

Nelsons Tea Tree Natural Antiseptic

Claim: ‘A soothing skin cream containing tea tree oil — best known for its excellent antiseptic properties,’ says the maker. Apply as required.

Expert verdict: ‘Research has found tea tree oil has antiseptic and wound-healing properties, particularly when used in high concentrations,’ says Dr Veraitch. 

‘It seem to activate monocytes — white blood cells that destroy bacterial invaders — and can encourage skin repair.

‘However, tea tree oil is a common allergen, so can irritate some skins. This cream also contains limonene and linalool — natural plant compounds with a nice scent, but that can also cause skin allergies. I wouldn’t recommend this product if you have sensitive, irritated or broken skin.’ 

4/10

Elastoplast Faster Healing Ointment

20g, £2.12, boots.com

Claim: This ointment promises to heal cuts and abrasions, first-degree and smaller second-degree burns ‘twice as fast’ [compared to an untreated wound]. It ‘builds a breathable, protective film’ that prevents the wound from drying out and creates ‘moist healing conditions’, while also ‘helping to reduce scarring’. Apply to a cleaned wound.

Expert verdict: ‘This is an effective ointment for helping wounds heal,’ says Dr Veraitch. ‘It doesn’t contain a specific antiseptic, but this isn’t necessary for minor cuts and burns unless there are signs of infection.

‘It contains paraffin oil, petrolatum and wax — thick, waxy ingredients that trap moisture, keeping harmful bacteria out and reducing the chance of infection.

‘You can apply it directly to the wound and it’s especially good for mild to moderate burns — these are smaller and affect only the top layers of skin. You can also use it on burns that have blistered, as long as they are no larger than your palm. If a burn covers a larger area than your palm, you should always seek medical advice.’ 

8/10

Elastoplast Faster Healing Ointment

Elastoplast Faster Healing Ointment

Secrets of an A-List body 

How to get the enviable physiques of the stars. This week: Billie Piper’s calf muscles

Billie Piper wore a black mini-dress to the Baftas, which revealed well-toned legs and hard-worked calf muscles

Billie Piper wore a black mini-dress to the Baftas, which revealed well-toned legs and hard-worked calf muscles

Billie Piper wore a black mini-dress to the Baftas, which revealed well-toned legs and hard-worked calf muscles.

The actress, 38, reportedly stays in shape with yoga, Pilates and long walks with her three children. She also swims when she can and lifts weights.

What to try: The Farmer’s Walk on tiptoes will target this area. Hold a dumbbell or bottle of water in each hand, arms by your sides and stand tall. 

Keep shoulders square to the front, and back straight. Walk forward on the balls of your feet — tiptoes — taking short, quick steps.

Take ten to 15 steps, maintaining balance and making sure your feet are facing forward to work the calf muscles to their maximum. Turn around and repeat. That’s one repetition.

Perform three sets of three repetitions three to four times a week.

 

source: dailymail.co.uk