Skin emollients treat dry skin by moisturizing or hydrating your skin. They also relieve burning or itching related to skin conditions or wounds.
Skin emollients work by forming an oily layer on the outer layer of your skin and trapping water or moisture on your skin's surface. This hydrates, moisturizes, and repairs your skin.
| Common Brands | Epiceram, HPR-Plus, PruTect, Biafine, Promiseb |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Topical skin product |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
Skin emollients can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Skin emollients can sometimes cause heating or overheating. This can happen especially during radiation therapy, since some products can dissolve the dye marking the particular areas on the body for radiation. It can also happen during an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging, or a type of radiology test), because some skin emollients contain silver nanoparticles that cause heating during the imaging procedure. Avoid applying skin emollients at least 4 hours before your radiation therapy session or MRI. Ask your healthcare provider or radiation oncologist for further instructions about when it's safe to apply skin emollients.
Tube of emulsion| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90g | 1 tube | $5,748.73 | $5,748.73 |
Dosing will differ depending on the skin emollient product you're using. Read the label on your specific product for dosing guidelines.
The typical dose is to apply a thin layer of the emollient to affected areas of your skin 2 to 4 times per day (or as needed).
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Each skin emollient product is different, so read the instructions on your specific product to determine how often and for how long you can use it. Most Epiceram can be applied up to 4 times per day or as often as needed for 10 to 14 days. If your skin condition doesn't get better or worsens after using a skin emollient product for 10 to 14 days, let your healthcare provider or skin specialist (dermatologist) know. You might need to switch to a different product.
There are certain Epiceram that are safe to use on sunburns and first and second degree burns, such as Prutect. It can be applied directly to sunburned areas of your skin until the sunburn completely heals. Ask your pharmacist or skin specialist (dermatologist) if you have specific questions about when it's appropriate to use your skin emollient product.
Epiceram are available in multiple forms, such as lotions or foams, so that you have a variety of options to choose from. Each product also has slightly different ingredients, so it's important to read the list of ingredients on your product to make sure you're not allergic to any of the components. All Epiceram will moisturize and protect your skin, so there's not one best product for everyone. Work with your provider or skin specialist (dermatologist) to determine which product is best suited for you and your skin.
Most Epiceram haven't been studied to see how safe or how well they work in children. Many Epiceram come with a warning to keep the product away from children at all times. If your child has dry skin, ask your child's healthcare provider before using Epiceram.
There aren't any studies looking at the safety of using Epiceram during pregnancy. It's unknown if Epiceram can cause harm to your unborn baby. If you're pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant, discuss the risks and benefits with your provider first.
