Mercury ointment is the combined name of a number of preparations based on mercury or its compounds used as an external agent, mainly for parasitic skin diseases. To date, these drugs are not available and are not on sale.
Types of mercury ointment
At one time, three types of such ointments were distributed: white, gray and yellow.
Mercury white ointment contained 10% mercuric amidochloride, lanolin and petrolatum. Gray ointment contained about 30% of metal, as well as fats of animal origin.
The most common was yellow mercury ointment, which was made on the basis of mercury oxide yellow (the same mercury precipitated or sediment), petroleum jelly and anhydrous lanolin. Zheltao mercury ointment was used primarily as an eye in blepharitis, conjunctivitis, keratitis and other inflammatory diseases of the eyes, and in addition - with some skin diseases (seborrhea, sycosis, pediculosis, pustular inflammation). The concentration of the main active substance ranged from 1-2% in the ophthalmic ointment to 5-10% in the ointment for the skin.
Instructions for the use of yellow mercury ointment
This drug is usually manufactured in a pharmacy, under the order, with the appropriate prescription. Stored in a container of dark glass, tightly clogged, inaccessible to light. The shelf life of the ophthalmic ointment is up to 5 years. The drug has antiseptic, antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory effect. Ointment is intended exclusively for external, topical application, for laying in a conjunctival sac or for applying to affected areas of the skin.
The use of this drug is not recommended together with ethylmorphine, as well as preparations of bromine and iodine, as they contribute to the formation of mercury halogenides in the places of application of mercury, which have a cauterizing effect. Ointment is contraindicated in eczema and in case of allergic reactions.