Fire Hazard With Paraffin Based Skin Products | Flammable Skin Creams | How To Reduce Fire Risk

Fire Hazard With Paraffin Based Emollients | Flammable Skin Creams | Reduce Fire Risk Of Paraffin Based Emollients

Hey guys! This weeks video is about the increased fire risk associated with paraffin based creams and ointments. I find that very few people know about this and it’s definitely an issue which we need to raise awareness on.

As mentioned at the start of the video I am not against paraffin based emollients. They are widely prescribed and play a very important role in the treatment of skin conditions.

But we need to raise awareness on the increased fire risk associated with skin emollients containing paraffin. As they have been linked to dozens of fire deaths across England.

FIRE HAZARD WITH PARAFFIN BASED SKIN PRODUCTS ON DRESSING AND CLOTHING:

The fire risk is increased when people use paraffin based cream or ointments regularly but do not change clothes or bedding often, paraffin residue can soak into the fabric, making it flammable. Sparks from a cigarettes or other fire sources can then react with the paraffin residue.

The national patient safety agency (NPSA) had commissioned fire testing to determine the potential risk of paraffin based products and their fire risk. They concluded that paraffin contamination on clothing leads leads to a more rapidly growing fire, which burns much more intensely and is harder to extinguish.

EMOLLIENTS ASSOCIATED WITH AN INCREASED FIRE RISK :

Skin products containing paraffin based products, for example White Soft Paraffin, White Soft Paraffin plus 50% Liquid Paraffin or Emulsifying ointment, in contact with dressings and clothing are easily ignited with a naked flame or a cigarette.

The evidence currently only relates to White Soft Paraffin and there is currently no evidence of a risk of fire hazard with preparations containing concentrations of white soft paraffin lower than 50%, however the NPSA has taken the view that this risk could apply to
any paraffin ‘based’ product.

HOW TO REDUCE FIRE HAZARD RISK WITH PARAFFIN BASED EMOLLIENTS:

• Stop smoking (or being near to people who are smoking), or exposure to any open flame or other potential cause of ignition during treatment.

• Regularly change clothing or bedding impregnated with paraffin based products (preferably on a daily basis), as the paraffin soaks into the fabrics and can potentially be a fire hazard. Chairs or seating may also have the potential to become contaminated so cover with a throw and wash regularly.

• Washing instructions to reduce paraffin – High temperature wash (90C) with biological washing powder.

• Tell your friends, family and carers about the fire hazard risk of your treatment so they can be more careful.

HELPFUL STOP SMOKING LINKS:

My Stoptober 2017 video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgGr-4ac8L4

Stoptober Website: https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/stoptober/home?gclid=CjwKCAjwjozPBRAqEiwA6xTOYKZqRKwXpp2OfoS8GjGhRc3qXjd8cVeee9en9VKh5XOhxrSpnUQFMBoCGhUQAvD_BwE#UeV4cHb56JqkHyK3.97

NHS Smoke Free: https://www.nhs.uk/smokefree

NHS One You: https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/smoking#VehvpaOp0Fp1z0UQ.97

PARAFFIN BASED EMOLLIENTS LINK:

https://bnf.nice.org.uk/medicinal-forms/emollient-creams-and-ointments-paraffin-containing.html

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ABOUT ME:
Prescribing Media Pharmacist | Bringing Science Through New Film Every Monday | Extreme Optimist

I’m a British – Persian – Iranian prescribing media pharmacist who loves science, making videos and helping people. I work in both GP surgeries and community pharmacy.

DISCLAIMER:
This video is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. Abraham The Pharmacist has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but make no warranty as to its accuracy. Always consult a doctor or other healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions.