How to Apply Calmoseptine

In General: To Protect Intact or Injured Skin

  1.  Cleanse the injured skin or area to be protected prior to application using a mild skin cleanser, normal saline or water.
  2.  Pat dry, or allow to air dry.
  3.  Apply a thin layer, 2-4 times daily, to affected area, or as often as necessary to promote comfort and protection. A thick layer will not harm the patient, but it is not necessary and often is messy.
  4.  When using Calmoseptine as a moisture barrier, it is not necessary to thoroughly remove the ointment from the skin with each diaper or dressing change. It is sufficient to cleanse and remove waste material, leaving a base layer of the ointment. Reapply only where necessary.

Diaper Rash and Incontinence in Adults

  1. Gently clean the skin with a mild cleanser and/or water.
  2. Rinse with clean water.
  3. Pat the area dry with a clean towel or gauze.
  4. Apply a small amount of Calmoseptine Ointment to cover the area completely.
  5. Repeat after each bowel movement or when skin becomes wet with urine or drainage. It is not necessary to remove all of the Calmoseptine when soiling occurs.  Simply cleanse soiled area and reapply the Calmoseptine where needed to provide complete protection.

Gastric, Jejunal and Suprapubic Tube Sites

  1. Gently cleanse area with normal saline, mild skin cleanser or soap and water.
  2. Apply a thin layer of Calmoseptine to the skin around the tube.
  3. If necessary to control drainage and protect clothing, cover the ointment with a drain sponge or other dressing.
  4. Twice a day application is usually sufficient.  If the dressing becomes saturated, it should be replaced more frequently, not reinforced. A thick dressing holds the drainage against the skin and can make the problem worse.
  5. It is not necessary to remove all of the Calmoseptine with each dressing change.  Simply wipe drainage away and reapply Calmoseptine and dressing.

Skin Folds

  1. Cleanse area gently and pat or air dry. It is very important that the area is thoroughly dry.
  2. Apply a small amount of Calmoseptine Ointment.
  3. Spread thinly and rub in well.
  4. Reapply once or twice daily.

Peri-wound skin

  1. Remove dressing and cleanse the wound as ordered. Use wound care solution to also cleanse drainage from the surrounding skin. Dry the skin. Avoid scrubbing or drying wound edges.
  2. Apply a thin layer of Calmoseptine to skin surrounding the wound.
  3. Cover the wound and wound edges with an appropriate dressing.

Note: Tape will not adhere to areas covered with Calmoseptine so dressing must extend beyond those areas.

Post-Radiation Therapy

Calmoseptine Ointment contains zinc oxide so must be entirely removed before each radiation therapy treatment session.  For this reason we do not advise using Calmoseptine Ointment while treatment is in progress, but it is very effective at protecting and soothing the discomfort associated with radiation burns post therapy.

  1. Gently cleanse the area if there is drainage or soil present.
  2. Apply a thin layer of Calmoseptine. Warming the tube in warm, not hot, water prior to application will soften the ointment and may make application gentler.
  3. The area may be covered with a soft dressing or left open to air, whichever is more comfortable to the patient.

Calmoseptine does not interfere with normal x-rays

Rashes and Insect Bites

  1. Cleanse area and gently dry.
  2. Apply a thin layer of Calmoseptine Ointment to rash area, or daub a little on individual insect bites.
  3. Area may be covered with a dressing or bandage or left open to the air.

Weepy or Denuded Areas

Using stoma powder (i.e.: Convatec Stomahesive Powder, Hollister Premium Powder) or karaya powder with Calmoseptine Ointment can help it adhere to weepy and denuded areas.  This forms a very protective, somewhat absorbent barrier.

  1. Cleanse the area using normal saline, water or wound cleanser.
  2. Very gently pat the area dry with sterile gauze.
  3. Apply a light dusting of stoma or karaya powder to the denuded area. This creates a dry surface to help the Calmoseptine stick to the wound.  Gently dust off excess powder.
  4. Gently place a layer of Calmoseptine Ointment over the powdered area.
  5. Apply another light coating of the powder over the Calmoseptine Ointment.
  6. It may be necessary to repeat, adding another layer of Calmoseptine and powder in order to entirely cover the wound.
  7. Repeat after each bowel movement or diaper or dressing change.  As in above applications, it is not necessary or advisable to remove all of the Calmoseptine each time.  Simply cleanse the surface and reapply the ointment where necessary.

Adverse Reactions

Allergic Reaction: Although rare, the possibility of an allergic reaction is present if the patient is sensitive to any of the ingredients in Calmoseptine Ointment. Common allergic reactions include itching, rash or hives or increased area of rash compared to what was present in the area applied. As in any allergic reaction, more severe symptoms such as extreme discomfort or difficulty breathing (anaphylaxis) could occur.

Note: If you suspect your patient is allergic, remove Calmoseptine by one of the methods described below.

Temporary Stinging on Application: The usual sensation when Calmoseptine Ointment is applied is a gentle cooling. However, when nerve endings are exposed due to denuded skin, stinging on application may occur. This does not indicate a danger to the patient, and it will usually subside within 30 seconds. After one or two applications, the skin is usually healed enough so that the stinging no longer occurs.

Note: If the patient cannot tolerate the sensation, remove the ointment by one of the methods described below.

How do I remove Calmoseptine Ointment?

Removal from skin

It is not usually necessary to entirely remove Calmoseptine Ointment from the skin. Any soiled areas can be cleansed of soil leaving a thin layer of ointment. More Calmoseptine Ointment is then applied only where necessary. This minimizes trauma to the skin from friction during cleansing. If it is necessary to thoroughly cleanse the ointment from the skin, Calmoseptine Ointment can be removed by wiping with a clean dry cloth or gauze. Skin or wound cleansers with surfactants may also be used.

If skin is tender or fragile, or if stoma powder has been used and the ointment is crusted, patting or rubbing with oil (mineral, vegetable, or baby oil) will soften the ointment for easier removal. Any residual can then be removed with soap and water or a skin or wound cleanser.

  1. Baby oil (mineral oil) and vegetable oil are excellent at removing Calmoseptine Ointment from the skin quickly.
  2. Some skin cleansers with a surfactant will remove Calmoseptine Ointment. A few are listed below
  • Bedside Care Perineal Wash®  (Sween/Coloplast)
  • Elta Cleanse Foam®(Swiss America)
  • Aloe Vesta Perineal Wash® (ConvatecCalgon Vestal)
  • Carrington Foam®  (Carrington Laboratories)
  • Hygiene I Foam® (Bard)
  • Proshield® Foam and Spray (Healthpoint)
  • Restore® (Hollister)

Removal from objects

For solid objects like floors, vinyl, wood etc. Use mineral or baby oil applied to a cotton ball, pat until the Calmoseptine Ointment loosens enough to be removed with the cotton ball. Clean the oil.

 

Removal from bedding and clothing

Clorox® 2 has been found to be useful.