Mixing Creams and Ointments

[Tham58]

I mix my own steroid/antibiotic combinations sometimes
for convenience of application on my eczema.

I wonder if it is alright to mix a cream into an ointment ?

For example, I have Bactroban (mupirocin) cream and Elomet
(mometasone) ointment.

Thank you.

[Tham58]

Thank you for your reply and good advice, Dr Bhupinder.

Yes, I have been under the care of a competent dermatologist
here for many years.

He has prescibed me medium potency combination steroid/antibiotic
creams and ointments like Diprogenta (betamethasone + gentamycin),
milder steroid ointments like Elomet (mometasone) and even milder
ones like Efficort (hydrocortisone aceponate).

If the eczema flares up badly, especially on my palms and soles of my
feet, he may give Dermovate (clobetasol) cream and ointment.

Occasionally, when it really gets out of control, he gives me an
injection of long-acting Kenacort-40 (triamcinolone acetonide).

Sometimes, when the eczema is moderate and I do not need to
visit him, I will buy my own steroid and antibiotic creams.

The reason I asked was because I prefer to use a newer generation
steroid like mometasone, though it is more of low-medium potency.
However, mometasone does not come in a combination cream
with an antibiotic on the market.

For applications on the sole of the foot, I try to combine the mometasone
with an antibiotic like Fucidin, Bactroban or gentamycin, just in case.
This is because, a few years ago, I had a bad cellutis infection of my
left foot, which almost spread up to the left lymph node in my groin.

The cellulitis had started on the base of the left toe, very likely due
to breaks in the skin there caused by my eczema. I had to be admitted
into hospital where the orthopedic surgeon put me on a strong
antibiotic drips like imipenem and ciproflaxin, which appeared to work
the first few days, but then it got worse. The surgeon had to do
and incision and drainage procedure under the left toe to drain out
the abscess, followed by several more days of antibiotic drips.
The wound was left open, a very painful experience which took
two months to heal.

Thus I try to mix the mometasone cream with an antibiotic cream
for applications on the sole, as well as on my fingers and palm
where the eczema tends to cause breaks or fissures on the skin.

However, this time, I have mometasone ointment and Bactroban cream.
Since the ointment is oil-based and the cream water-based, would they
mix properly ?

Thank you again for your time.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
For eczema, wash the areas several times with fresh water. Do not use any cosmetic products at the sites. You can apply some calamine lotion at the rash as it will help in soothing the skin. You can take some OTC oral antihistamine medications like Benadryl or Claritin and see if it helps.

For mild-moderate symptoms a weak steroid may be used (e.g. hydrocortisone as dermacort), whilst more severe cases require a higher-potency steroid (e.g. clobetasol propionate, fluocinonide). Use good quality moisturizers to prevent moisture loss from the skin. Please don’t mix any cream without telling your dermatologist or pharmacist.

If still the symptoms do not improve then please get a clinical examination done by a dermatologist.
I hope it helps. Take care and please do keep me posted in case you have any additional doubts. Kind regards.

[anail]

i have dry skin. I was prescribed Topisal - 3% lotion        ( Clobetasol propionate 0.05% plus salicylic acid 3%)
and  Topinate cream ( Clobetasol propionate 0.05% plus preservatives Methyl and Propyl Paraben) and Moiz ( Moisturizing cream). I was told to mix two out of these three. I am confused which two are to be mixed. Pl guide me