I have a medicine cabinet full of character Band-aids for boo-boos, whether imaginary or real. When you have kids, you need Band-aids, and antibiotic ointments!
I grew up in a house that used Zinc Bacitracin Ointment for every cut, scrape, and anything that wasn't a puncture/deep wound. Bacitracin Ointment is in the same family as Neosprorin. They are both First Aid Antibiotic Ointments.
I had Bacitracin in the medicine cabinet the day my Daughter was badly bitten as Day School. The bite was on her shoulder and was four teeth marks wide, and was bleeding, but not deep enough to treat as a puncture wound. No visit to the hospital, just a phone call to my child's doctor. When I spoke to my Pediatrician on the phone during immediate treatment of this bite I asked what topical ointment to use, she said go and get some Neosporin. I told her I had Bacitracin, and she again said she recommended Neosporin, it heals faster, and will aid against an infection!
Is there really a difference?
I was skeptical, but bought the ointment recommended by the Doctor right away. Upon opening the 1/2 oz tube of Neosporin, I saw that it had the same consistency, color, and texture as the Bacitracin ointment I already had in my cabinet. The first visible difference was the mouth of the tube. Neosporin has a very long & thin dispensing opening, resembling a dropper type of end which allows a small 1/8th of an inch thin line of ointment out, where as the other medication has a "toothpaste" size opening and there is limited control of what is squeezed out. Both tubes state they have Bacitracin Zinc Units in them (main ingredient). Both were the same size ounce wise, but I seemed to use less of the Neosporin per squeeze. The physical consistency was a tiny bit different too. The tube of Bacitracin I had seemed thicker in consistency (like vaseline), whereas the Neosporin was thinner/smoother in texture, and easier to spread.
What did I notice on the package that may be the "extra" ingredients that actually make the wound heal faster?
Cocoa butter, cottonseed oil, & olive oil. These ingredients IN MY BELIEF are what Bacintracin doesn't have that aids in softening the affected skin area of the wound, and helps promote faster healing by keeping the area affected moisturized.
How easy is it to use?
Just follow these simple instructions (also found on package of the product).
Clean the wound area thoroughly removing dirt, etc.
Apply an amount of this product - about the size of your fingertip one to three times daily or when you change the dressing (daily).
Apply dressing - Band-aids, Gauze pads & tape (depending on size - great for big knee scrapes), or dressing directed by your Healthcare Provider.
PACKAGING RECOMMENDS THAT YOU DON'T USE THIS ITEM FOR MORE THAN ONE WEEK UNLESS DIRECTED BY YOUR DOCTOR TO DO SO.
If you have any concerns on which type of wounds are the type to use this product,call your Doctor, or call the manufacturer (Warner-Lambert) @ 1-800-223-0182, weekdays 9am to 5pm (EST).
Did the wound heal faster? Yes! Within a week, this nasty bite was almost completely healed, and there wasn't a problem with the skin getting tough, and a nasty looking scab. This wound had the appearance of "new skin" (as my Daughter calls it) within a week, and without a large scar (as I expected to happen).
I now will have this product in my medicine cabinet for future boo-boos! I should buy stock in band-aids and Neosporin because my Daughter is only 4-years-old, and hasn't even begun to scrape herself yet! I know it's coming!!!
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