From Mrs M. Highsted
SIR,—The Skin Care Campaign has condemned the recommendation of aqueous
cream saying that a substantial number of people are sensitised to it (PJ, September
2, p325).
One of the main reasons for sensitisation is intolerance of the antimicrobial
ingredient used.
The British Pharmacopoeia recommends phenoxyethanol but states that other antimicrobials
may be used as long as they appear on the label of the cream.
I am a pharmacy technician and the mother of an eczema sufferer and I have experimented
with a large number of emollients. My son can only tolerate aqueous cream containing
chlorocresol on his face; the formula containing phenoxyethanol irritates him.
I have noticed that many of our regular customers will not accept aqueous cream
unless it contains chlorocresol.
Aqueous cream is very versatile and should not be condemned without good reason.
Marilyn Highsted
Caterham,
Surrey