Creams Ointments Tinctures and stuff.
Topical medications and over-the-counter products can be formulated in different ways. You have probably seen the words cream, lotion and ointment, and never gave a thought as to what might be the difference among them. These terms are actually defined differently and can make a difference when you apply the medication. I encourage you all to do your own research and make your own informed decisions when treating not only your chickens, but yourself.
Creams are a semi-solid emulsion, half oil and half water. This formulation is typically the easiest to use. They spread easily, absorb quickly and wash off with water.
Ointments are 80% oil and 20% water. These products feel greasy, do not absorb well and are generally not easy to use on large areas. They are ‘occlusive,’ which means they trap moisture and heat in very well. Ointments promote medication absorption over all other formulations. If an ingredient is in an ointment, it is always more potent than the exact same ingredient packaged in a cream or lotion.
Gels are emulsions that contain oil-in-water. They usually have an alcohol base. They dry into a thin, greaseless, nonstaining film. Like lotions and foams, they are ideal for spreading on hairy areas and large areas.
A tincture is a skin preparation that has a high percentage of alcohol. It would normally be used as a drug vehicle if drying of the area is desired.
Neosporin (or triple antibiotic ointments) are indicated for topical use. Topical means external. The membranes on inside of an egg are not external while they are still receiving blood supply from the chick. These membranes, as we know, have veins that you can see but also millions of tiny vessels that you cans see – they were the organ that was used by the chick for 21 days to get oxygen to their body. Now as the vessels spasm down and shut off, the dangers of Neomycin toxicity diminish. When it comes to slathering Neosporin onto vascular membranes of an egg, use caution. The smallest amount necessary should be used. Absorbing a large amount of this medication into the body can increase the risk of damage to the ears or kidneys due to neomycin.
Betadine antiseptic solution contains 10% povidone-iodine and is the foremost documented, broad spectrum topical iodophor microbide. It is used in hospitals to clean wounds but not really as a dressing or sustaining anti microbial treatment. If the intent is to keep the skin wound moist, we use an ointment like Neosporin. If the intent is to aid in drying a wound, we more often use a tincture.
Drying creates a scab faster. The scab is a cap under which the wound heals. This dried surface is way less prone to an infection than a moist ointment filled environment – even if the ointment is antimicrobial. For belly buttons or umbilicus, tincture of iodine is normally used.