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" What is it used for?  Chronic eczema with leathery thickening of the skin (lichenification).     How does it work? Ichthammol ointment contains three main ingredients, ichthammol, yellow soft paraffin and wool fat. Ichthammol is a sulphurous, tarry product that is mildly antiseptic. It reduces itching, and also reduces the excessive hardening and thickening of the skin seen in chronic lichenified eczema. It is not fully understood how it works, but it prevents the process by which skin cells become hard, thickened and scaly due to the deposition of the protein keratin within them (keratinisation).  Yellow soft paraffin and wool fat (a waxy substance obtained from the wool of sheep) are both fats that provide a layer of oil on the surface of the skin. They prevent water evaporating from the skin surface, thus retaining moisture in the skin and helping the ichthammol penetrate dry scaly areas of skin.    How do I use it?  This ointment is for external use on the skin only. Apply to the affected areas of skin up to three times a day as directed by your doctor. Wash your hands after applying the ointment, unless the hands are the area being treated.   Warning!   Avoid contact with the eyes. Ichthammol in this medicine may stain fabric. A protective covering may be placed over the application area to avoid staining clothes and bed linen.    Pregnancy and breastfeeding Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.   There are no known harmful effects when this medicine is used by pregnant or breastfeeding mothers.     Side effects Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Just because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.  Skin irritation.   The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the medicine&amp;#039;s manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.   How can this medicine affect other medicines? This medicine is not known to affect other medicines.   Other medicines containing the same active ingredients Ichthammol ointment is only available generically (ie without a brand name).   There are currently no other medicines available in the UK that contain this combination of ichthammol, yellow soft paraffin and wool fat as the active ingredients.   Last updated 04.06.2013 "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/skin-and-hair/a7859/ichthammol-ointment-bp-1980/>