Emollient Safety.

Persons who regularly use paraffin-based emollients, their families and/or carers should be advised as follow:
 

• Smoking or a naked flame could cause patients’ dressings or clothing to catch fire when being treated with paraffin-based emollient that is in contact with the dressing or clothing.

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• Advise patients not to: smoke; use naked flames (or be near people who are smoking or using naked flames); or go near anything that may cause a fire while emollients are in contact with their medical dressings or clothing.

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• Change patient clothing and bedding regularly—preferably daily—because emollients soak into fabric and can become a fire hazard.

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• When patients are treated with a paraffin-based emollient product covered by a dressing or clothing, there is a danger that smoking or using a naked flame could cause dressings or clothing to catch fire.

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• The risk is greater when these preparations are applied to large areas of the body, or when dressings or clothing become soaked with emollients.

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 Examples of paraffin-based emollients include:

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• White soft paraffin

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• White soft paraffin plus 50% liquid paraffin

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• Emulsifying ointment