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Oh dear owenbowen, let's put the record straight.
The chemical compound zinc oxide can be very loosely termed deodorising and anti-bacterial but to be honest, the first sentence quoted by Albags appears to be identical to one off Wikipedia. It should be noted that a little further along there is indeed confirmation that zinc oxide is used in calamine lotion.
However, the OP's question was much broader question than a request for the properties of zinc oxide per se, so let's look at this again.
First of all, it should be noted that zinc oxide is not only used in first-aid plasters but as zinc oxide adhesive strapping as well. Now, it should be obvious that the antibacterial effects of the compound would be of virtually no use when applied as a strapping. In fact, one of the first recorded medical uses of zinc oxide goes back to the early part of the 20th century when it was first used in a strapping called Leukoplast. Zinc oxide strapping has many medical uses that have nothing at all to do with deodorising or anti-bacterial properties.
The chemical compound zinc oxide can be very loosely termed deodorising and anti-bacterial but to be honest, the first sentence quoted by Albags appears to be identical to one off Wikipedia. It should be noted that a little further along there is indeed confirmation that zinc oxide is used in calamine lotion.
However, the OP's question was much broader question than a request for the properties of zinc oxide per se, so let's look at this again.
First of all, it should be noted that zinc oxide is not only used in first-aid plasters but as zinc oxide adhesive strapping as well. Now, it should be obvious that the antibacterial effects of the compound would be of virtually no use when applied as a strapping. In fact, one of the first recorded medical uses of zinc oxide goes back to the early part of the 20th century when it was first used in a strapping called Leukoplast. Zinc oxide strapping has many medical uses that have nothing at all to do with deodorising or anti-bacterial properties.
So if this is the case, why include zinc oxide? Well zinc oxide alters the physical properties of the rubber-based tape, which may be defined as per the 1988 BP definition as a fabric, plain weave, warp and weft of cotton and /or viscose, spread with an adhesive containing zinc oxide.
So what does this mean? Well, it means that it is the adhesive that contains the zinc oxide rather than the strapping. Similarly, it is the adhesive in the plasters that contain the zinc oxide. It therefore follows that zinc oxide is not included in plasters for its antibacterial properties as the adhesive is not in contact with the wound.
Zinc oxide is included in strapping and plasters to alter the physical properties and elasticity of both when applied to the skin. It's not included for it's negligible antibacterial, anti-inflammatory properties as there are many more effective and cheaper compounds available for the purpose
So what does this mean? Well, it means that it is the adhesive that contains the zinc oxide rather than the strapping. Similarly, it is the adhesive in the plasters that contain the zinc oxide. It therefore follows that zinc oxide is not included in plasters for its antibacterial properties as the adhesive is not in contact with the wound.
Zinc oxide is included in strapping and plasters to alter the physical properties and elasticity of both when applied to the skin. It's not included for it's negligible antibacterial, anti-inflammatory properties as there are many more effective and cheaper compounds available for the purpose
heathfield, I'm sorry to say that whilst zinc oxide is indeed theoretically hypoallergenic, it's inclusion in plaster adhesives has resulted in it being blamed for allergic reactions to zinc oxide plasters and strapping.
I can recall many children in my childhood that often had an angry, rectangular rash in the shape of a zinc oxide plaster that had been applied to their skin. Defining the cause of the allergy was not as simple as pointing the blame to the latex alone. Thankfully this situation led to the development of innumerable hypo-allergenic adhesives.
I can recall many children in my childhood that often had an angry, rectangular rash in the shape of a zinc oxide plaster that had been applied to their skin. Defining the cause of the allergy was not as simple as pointing the blame to the latex alone. Thankfully this situation led to the development of innumerable hypo-allergenic adhesives.
Thanks heathfield. I'm very grateful for your kind comments.
Yes, I am indeed being kept busy which was not something I'd anticipated at this time of the year. I did manage to spend Christmas in the UK but I've been summoned to advise on a research project here in the USA and I'm hoping to return to the UK on New Year's Eve.
I'll take a few days off on my return before going back to uni. There's never a dull moment right now.
Yes, I am indeed being kept busy which was not something I'd anticipated at this time of the year. I did manage to spend Christmas in the UK but I've been summoned to advise on a research project here in the USA and I'm hoping to return to the UK on New Year's Eve.
I'll take a few days off on my return before going back to uni. There's never a dull moment right now.
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