effect of a suggested barrier cream as a prophylactic measure for control of petroleum acne and folliculitis

ABSTRACT

A prophylactic cream formula composed of lanolin and zinc oxide was used among workers exposed to petroleum derivatives as a mean for the control and prevention of petroleum acne and folliculitis. A population of 57 workers suffering from petroleum acne and folliculitis was taken from the Occupational Medicine Center. All workers except three cases continued our study [54 workers]. After giving them treatment till complete cure of the lesion the suggested prophylactic cream was given alone to each worker, for 3 months duration with continuation of exposure. Workers were checked continuously for any recurrence. After stopping application of the proposed prophylactic cream workers were followed up for a year duration. They were considered as a control match case during use of prophylactic cream and without using it. Results obtained revealed that application of the suggested prophylactic formula i.e. Lanolin and zinc oxide proved that no recurrence occurred among exposed workers under prophylaxis and that recurrence of the lesion was found among 68.52% after stopping application of the prophylactic cream