External preparations

Phar 401

Biology of the skin

Glabrous skin- on palms and soles of the feet, lacks hair follicles and sebaceous glands Hairy skin- has hair follicles and sebaceous glands

Functions of skin
Control the lost of valuable water from the body Protect the body from the harmful radiations of the sun Control the entry of foreign materials Prevent the entry of harmful microorganisms Cushion the body against the mechanical shock from bumps and knocks Regulate the loss of heat from the body Receive information from the environment and relay it to the brain. By its color, texture and odor, transmit social and sexual signals to others. It must last a lifetime. It must maintain itself against the ravage of wear and tear. It must always fit. It must grow as its owner grows and be resilient and elastic to stretch and contract to allow the body freedom of movement.

Diagrammatic structure of skin

Common skin problem

1. Dry skin/ Oily skin 2. Wounds and infection

Acne vulgaris

Excess sebum+keratinization forms occlusive plug in the pores accumulation of stagnant sebum proliferation of anaerobic bacteria bacteria produce lipase enzyme that hydrolyse the triglycerides in the sebum to produce free fatty acids and glycerol irritation hyperkeratinization and inflammation

Major Action of external preparations

Occlusive Emollient Astringent Lubricant Rubefacient

Types of skin preparation

1. Solids -Dusting powder

2. Liquids -Soaks -Liniments -Paints -Collodions

3. Semi-solids
-ointment -cream -paste

Cream

Ointment

Ingredients used in skin preparation

1. 2. Water miscible vehicles Eg. Water, alcohol, macrogols Oily vehicles Eg. Mineral oil- paraffin Vegetable oil- castor, peanut Synthetic oil- silicone oil Emulsifying agents Eg. Natural, synthetic w/o emulsifier- wool fat, beewax o/w emulsifier- cetostearyl alcohol, surfactants Suspending agents Eg. Bentonite, veegum(Aluminium Magnesium Silicate) Gelling agent- tragacanth, alginates, gelatin, methylcellulose Other Eg. Wetting agents- tincture of quillaia Humectants- glycerol, propylene glycol Solids- ZnO, starch, talc, aerosil

3.

4.

5.

Semi-solid preparation
Mixing by fusion Mixing by trituration

Mixing by fusion
Blending together of oily materials, some of which are solids at room temperature.
Keep ingredients in evaporating basin heat melt remove the basin from waterbath gently stir until cold. If soluble and stable, add when the base is molten If insoluble or less stable, add during cooling or when cold.

Mixing by trituration
Insoluble solid or liquid medicaments are incorporated into bases using this technique
Pass powder by 180m sieve place them on tile/slab mix with base by doubling up (base:powder=2/3:1) If larger quantities of liquid should be used, use mortar with flat base using a pestle with flat head.

Tube filling machine

Dispensing
Dusting powder
Powder should be sterile if they may be applied to large areas of open skin or wounds. To prepare powders for external use, sieve size of 180m should be used to obtain the finely divided powder.
- for external use only - Store in cool and dry place - Not to be applied to open wounds or raw weeping surfaces

Liquid preparation

For external use only Shake well before use Store in cool place expiry date

Semi-solid preparations

Store in cool place but donot allow to freeze expiry date

Containers

The end