Comparison of Lanolin and Human Milk Treatment of Painful and Damaged Nipples: A Randomized Control Trial.

BACKGROUND: Painful and damaged nipples are frequently associated with breastfeeding cessation in the early postpartum period. The results of researchers' studies utilizing different treatments have been inconclusive. RESEARCH AIM: To compare the intensity of nipple pain and the healing of damaged nipples during the first 10 days postpartum using either lanolin or human milk treatments. METHODS: This single-blind randomized controlled trial included participants (N = 206) who were primiparous with painful and damaged nipples. Participants were recruited from the tertiary teaching hospital within the first 72 hr after delivery and randomized to the intervention group with lanolin (n = 103) and a human milk control group (n = 103). Data were collected in the maternity ward, 3 and 7 days after randomization. The primary outcome was nipple pain intensity and quality measured 3 and 7 days after randomization by the McGill Pain Questionnaire - short form. The nipple damage self-assessment questionnaire was used for the assessment of nipple healing. Breastfeeding self-efficacy, breastfeeding duration, and exclusivity were assessed as secondary outcomes. RESULTS: Participants in both groups reported a statistically nonsignificant reduction in pain (quality and intensity of pain) as well as improved nipple healing 7 days after randomization. Participants in the lanolin group exclusively breastfed their infants 3 days after randomization-significantly more often than participants in the control group (p = .026). The study did not reveal any statistically significant differences for other secondary outcomes. CONCLUSION: Both lanolin and human milk are equally effective in treating painful and damaged nipples.Registered with Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04153513).

Medical grade honey for the treatment of paediatric abdominal wounds: a case series.

OBJECTIVE: Children are at high risk of injuries and wounds. The application of medical grade honey is a promising approach to improving the healing of wounds of various origin and severity. However, the use of medical grade honey in young paediatric patients remains limited. The aim of this study is to show the safety, efficacy and usefulness of medical grade honey in abdominal wounds, of different causes, in paediatric patients. METHOD: This was a prospective, observational case series evaluating five young infants with abdominal wounds at the General Hospital in Thessaloniki. All wounds were treated in the same manner with daily medical grade honey applied to the wound area and closely monitored. RESULTS: All treated wounds rapidly presented granulation tissue formation and underwent re-epithelialisation. Peripheral oedema and inflammation decreased upon initial application. Necrotic tissue was effectively debrided when present. Slough was removed and no signs of infection were detected, irrespective of initial wound presentations. Scar formation was minimal and the full range of motion was preserved in all cases. CONCLUSION: Based on this case study, medical grade honey is safe and effective in treating different abdominal wounds, including infected or dehisced wounds as well as burns. The easy application and broad applicability make medical grade honey recommendable as a first-line treatment in paediatric patients.

Promising effects of purslane cream on the breast fissure in lactating women: A clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: The traditional uses of Portulaca oleracea L. (purslane) with anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activity as well as anti-oxidants properties were expressed previously. This is a double-blind randomized clinical trial to evaluate the protective effects of purslane cream on the nipple fissure. METHODS: After expressing the goals and methods of the study and obtaining written consent from 86 lactating women with nipple fissure, they were randomly divided into two groups: 43 in purslane cream group and 43 in lanolin ointment group. The score of nipple fissure before the intervention and on the third and eighth day after the study was measured using the Stour scale. RESULTS: The mean score of left and right breast fissures in the group of treatment with lanolin group similar to the group of treatment with purslane cream showed a significant decrease at the third day and eighth day (P=0.001). Mann-Whitney test comparing mean score of the fissure between two groups showed that two groups were homogeneous before the intervention, but there was a significant difference between two groups on the third and eighth days (p < 0.001). The recovery process occurred faster in the group of treatment with purslane cream. CONCLUSION: We showed that the use of purslane cream without any complications could accelerate the repairing of nipple fissure. Based on this clinical trial, purslane cream (2% w/w) can be used as an accelerator for improving the nipple fissure in lactating women.

Comparative study of the use of HPA lanolin and breast milk for treating pain associated with nipple trauma / Estudo comparativo do uso de lanolina HPA e leite materno para o tratamento da dor associada ao trauma mamilar

Abstract Objective To compare two different treatments—the use of highly purified anhydrous (HPA) lanolin and expressed breast milk—for women with pain and nipple trauma during the breastfeeding process. Method A total of 180 puerperal women were randomly assigned to 2 groups: one was treated with HPA lanolin and the other with their own expressed breast milk. All of the participants received the same breastfeeding technique instructions and therapeutic care standard. Three assessments were performed: at the time of inclusion in the study (after randomization); after 48 hours; and after 7 days. At each interval, data was collected in relation to pain and trauma. A numerical/verbal category scale was used for the pain variable, and the nipple trauma score for the trauma variable. The results were subjected to statistical analysis using the chi-squared test, the Fisher exact test, the student t-test, and the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Generalized estimating equations were calculated using the STATA 12 statistical software package (StataCorp LLC, College Station, TX, USA) and IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 20.0 (IBM Corp, Armonk, NY, USA). Results There was pain improvement from the second to the third assessment in the group that used HPA lanolin, while the pain remained unchanged between these two periods (p< 0.001) in the breast milk group. In terms of trauma, improvement was identified in its extension and depth from the first to the third assessment, and it was higher in the HPA lanolin group than in the breast milk group (p= 0.025). Conclusion The treatment of pain and nipple trauma with HPA lanolin achieved better results than the one with breast milk, based on a 7-day treatment period.

Resumo Objetivo Comparar dois tratamentos distintos—o uso de lanolina anidra altamente purificada (HPA, na sigla em inglês) e o próprio leite materno—para mulheres com dor e trauma mamilar durante o processo de amamentação. Métodos Participaram do estudo 180 puérperas randomizadas para 2 grupos: um utilizou tratamento com lanolina HPA e o outro o próprio leite materno. Todas receberam a mesma orientação quanto à técnica de amamentação e rigor terapêutico e foram avaliadas em três momentos: na inclusão no estudo (após a randomização), em 48 horas e em 7 dias. Em todos os momentos, foram colhidos dados em relação à dor e ao trauma. Para a variável dor, utilizou-se escala de categoria numérica/nerbal e, para a variável trauma, a pontuação de traumas mamilares. Os testes estatísticos utilizados foram: Qui-quadrado, teste exato de Fisher, t de Student, e Kolmogorov-Smirnov, sendo que os modelos de equações de estimação generalizadas foram calculados por meio dos pacotes STATA 12 (StataCorp LLC, College Station, TX, EUA) e IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Versão 20.0 (IBM Corp, Armonk, NY, EUA). Resultados Houve melhora da dor da segunda para a terceira avaliação no grupo que utilizou a lanolina HPA, enquanto que no grupo que usou leite materno a dor permaneceu inalterada entre esses dois momentos (p< 0,001). Quanto ao trauma, foi identificada melhora em sua extensão e profundidade, da primeira para a terceira avaliação, e a melhora foi maior no grupo tratado com lanolina HPA do que no grupo tratado com leite materno (p= 0,025). Conclusão O tratamento da dor e do trauma mamilar com lanolina HPA teve melhor resultado comparado com o leite materno, com base em um período de tratamento de 7 dias.

Comparative Study of the Use of HPA Lanolin and Breast Milk for Treating Pain Associated with Nipple Trauma.

OBJECTIVE: To compare two different treatments-the use of highly purified anhydrous (HPA) lanolin and expressed breast milk-for women with pain and nipple trauma during the breastfeeding process. METHOD: A total of 180 puerperal women were randomly assigned to 2 groups: one was treated with HPA lanolin and the other with their own expressed breast milk. All of the participants received the same breastfeeding technique instructions and therapeutic care standard. Three assessments were performed: at the time of inclusion in the study (after randomization); after 48 hours; and after 7 days. At each interval, data was collected in relation to pain and trauma. A numerical/verbal category scale was used for the pain variable, and the nipple trauma score for the trauma variable. The results were subjected to statistical analysis using the chi-squared test, the Fisher exact test, the student t-test, and the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Generalized estimating equations were calculated using the STATA 12 statistical software package (StataCorp LLC, College Station, TX, USA) and IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 20.0 (IBM Corp, Armonk, NY, USA). RESULTS: There was pain improvement from the second to the third assessment in the group that used HPA lanolin, while the pain remained unchanged between these two periods (p < 0.001) in the breast milk group. In terms of trauma, improvement was identified in its extension and depth from the first to the third assessment, and it was higher in the HPA lanolin group than in the breast milk group (p = 0.025). CONCLUSION: The treatment of pain and nipple trauma with HPA lanolin achieved better results than the one with breast milk, based on a 7-day treatment period.

OBJETIVO: Comparar dois tratamentos distintos­o uso de lanolina anidra altamente purificada (HPA, na sigla em inglês) e o próprio leite materno­para mulheres com dor e trauma mamilar durante o processo de amamentação. MéTODOS: Participaram do estudo 180 puérperas randomizadas para 2 grupos: um utilizou tratamento com lanolina HPA e o outro o próprio leite materno. Todas receberam a mesma orientação quanto à técnica de amamentação e rigor terapêutico e foram avaliadas em três momentos: na inclusão no estudo (após a randomização), em 48 horas e em 7 dias. Em todos os momentos, foram colhidos dados em relação à dor e ao trauma. Para a variável dor, utilizou-se escala de categoria numérica/nerbal e, para a variável trauma, a pontuação de traumas mamilares. Os testes estatísticos utilizados foram: Qui-quadrado, teste exato de Fisher, t de Student, e Kolmogorov-Smirnov, sendo que os modelos de equações de estimação generalizadas foram calculados por meio dos pacotes STATA 12 (StataCorp LLC, College Station, TX, EUA) e IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Versão 20.0 (IBM Corp, Armonk, NY, EUA). RESULTADOS: Houve melhora da dor da segunda para a terceira avaliação no grupo que utilizou a lanolina HPA, enquanto que no grupo que usou leite materno a dor permaneceu inalterada entre esses dois momentos (p < 0,001). Quanto ao trauma, foi identificada melhora em sua extensão e profundidade, da primeira para a terceira avaliação, e a melhora foi maior no grupo tratado com lanolina HPA do que no grupo tratado com leite materno (p = 0,025). CONCLUSãO: O tratamento da dor e do trauma mamilar com lanolina HPA teve melhor resultado comparado com o leite materno, com base em um período de tratamento de 7 dias.

Nipple Skin Trauma in Breastfeeding Women During Postpartum Week One.

OBJECTIVE: To objectively describe changes to nipple skin and classify signs of nipple trauma in breastfeeding women during postpartum week 1. METHODS: This study was conducted in two phases. Phase 1 was an observational prospective study of breastfeeding mothers in which data were obtained from photographs and digital images of nipple skin and analyzed to anatomically classify signs of nipple trauma. In Phase 2, the reliability of signs identified in Phase 1 was verified with the cooperation of eight clinical midwives. RESULTS: A total of 776 images of 50 breastfeeding mothers were obtained daily. The signs of nipple trauma included erythema, swelling, blistering, fissure, and scabbing. Purpura and peeling were identified only with photographic image analysis. Scabbing and blistering were classified as damage to the dermis, and erythema and swelling as damage to the epidermis, based on anatomical evidence and the mothers' subjective experiences of pain intensity. Erythema and swelling were observed from day 0, with erythema most frequently observed. For inter-rater reliability of the five signs of nipple trauma, Kendall's coefficient of concordance ranged from 0.46 (moderate) to 0.85 (almost perfect). Reliability was high for fissure, substantial for blistering and scabbing, and moderate for erythema and swelling. CONCLUSIONS: Image analysis revealed five signs of nipple trauma. Erythema and swelling were the most frequently observed signs during postpartum week 1. However, the agreement rate was lower than that for other signs, suggesting the possibility of conflicting interpretations in clinical evaluation.

Lanolin for the treatment of nipple pain in breastfeeding women: a randomized controlled trial.

Nipple pain and damage are commonly experienced by breastfeeding women and are associated with negative breastfeeding outcomes. Health care providers often recommend the application of lanolin to treat painful/damaged nipples, yet no randomized controlled trial has evaluated the effectiveness of lanolin on nipple pain and breastfeeding outcomes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of lanolin on nipple pain among breastfeeding women with damaged nipples. A randomized, single-blind, controlled trial was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Breastfeeding women (N = 186) identified as having nipple pain/damage were randomized to apply lanolin (intervention group; n = 93) or to receive usual postpartum care (control group; n = 93). The primary outcome was nipple pain at 4 days post-randomization measured by the Numeric Rating Scale. Additional outcomes included nipple pain measured by the Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire, breastfeeding duration/exclusivity, breastfeeding self-efficacy, and maternal satisfaction with lanolin treatment versus usual care. The results revealed no significant group differences in mean pain scores at 4 days post-randomization. Women in both groups experienced clinically relevant decreases in nipple pain by 7 days post-randomization. Significantly, more women in the lanolin group reported that they were satisfied with treatment compared with those receiving usual care. No significant group differences were found for other secondary outcomes. While more women were satisfied using lanolin, its application to sore/damaged nipples was ineffective for reducing nipple pain or improving breastfeeding outcomes.

A real-world evidence study evaluating a treatment for nappy rash.

This retrospective open study evaluating the efficacy of Sudocrem Antiseptic Healing Cream (SAHC) in infantile nappy rash (NR) was based on real-world evidence collected using an online questionnaire that included Likert scales. Participants who had used SAHC in the past (n=2159) were recruited via social media and email. A total of 1818 respondents who had treated NR in the previous 6 months were asked to take part in the study. Over 50% of respondents saw an improvement in NR on the same day that treatment was started, and within 3 days 94.5% of respondents reported an improvement in NR. Of 1804 subjects who answered the question, 72.5% indicated that the NR had completely healed within 3 days of starting treatment and by the fifth day, 94.7% said that the NR had completely healed. A total of 71% of 1793 respondents said that an episode of NR had either no or minimal impact disrupting their normal lives, but 29% reported a noticeable impact, even though evidence suggests that mild to moderate nappy rash can be treated quickly. Based on this real-world retrospective study, the evidence suggests SAHC is rapidly effective, reduces signs and symptoms of inflammation, and heals NR.

Interventions for treating painful nipples among breastfeeding women.

BACKGROUND: Leading health authorities all recommend exclusive breastfeeding to six months' postpartum. While most women initiate breastfeeding, many discontinue due to difficulties encountered rather than maternal choice. One common breastfeeding difficulty is painful nipples. Research has identified poor infant positioning or latch as a common cause of painful nipples. While many different interventions designed to reduce nipple pain in breastfeeding women have been evaluated, it is unclear which intervention is the most effective treatment. An understanding of nipple pain and treatment options are needed to improve breastfeeding duration and exclusivity rates and to address systematically one of the most frequent difficulties encountered by breastfeeding women. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of all interventions in the resolution or reduction of nipple pain and the impact of the interventions on other outcomes such as nipple trauma, nipple infections, breast mastitis, breastfeeding duration, breastfeeding exclusivity, and maternal satisfaction. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (30 September 2014) and scanned secondary references. SELECTION CRITERIA: All randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials designed to evaluate any intervention for treating nipple pain among breastfeeding women. Trials using a cluster-randomised design were eligible for inclusion. Cross-over trials were not eligible for inclusion. The following interventions were eligible for inclusion compared with each other or usual care (i.e. education only): pharmacological (e.g. antifungal creams); non-pharmacological topical treatments (e.g. lanolin); dressings (e.g. hydrogel dressings); nipple protection devices (e.g. breast shells), phototherapy, and expressed breast milk. Nipple pain in women who are feeding with expressed breast milk (i.e. women of infants in neonatal units) is associated with other methods of removing milk from the mother's breast such as manual expression and various types of breast pumps. Nipple pain and subsequent treatment is different in this unique maternal population and thus we excluded women solely feeding with expressed breast milk from this review. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently assessed trials for inclusion, extracted data, evaluated methodological quality, and checked data for accuracy. We sought additional information from several trial researchers. MAIN RESULTS: We included four trials of good methodological quality involving 656 women in the review. The four included trials evaluated five different interventions including glycerine pads, lanolin with breast shells, lanolin alone, expressed breast milk, and an all-purpose nipple ointment. All studies included education to position the infant at the breast correctly as part of routine postpartum care to both treatment and control groups.Pooled data existed only for the comparison of lanolin versus usual care. We did not pool data for other outcomes due to either heterogeneity in outcome measures or differing interventions.There was no evidence that glycerine gel dressings or breast shells with lanolin significantly improved nipple pain. One trial found no clear differences in nipple pain (at one to three days, four to five days, or six to seven days' post-treatment) between women who applied lanolin or nothing to their nipples. In contrast, the same trial found that women who applied expressed breast milk had significantly lower perceptions of nipple pain following four to five days of treatment than women who applied lanolin. However, this beneficial effect was not maintained after six to seven days of treatment. There were no group differences in nipple pain perceptions at any assessment between women who applied expressed breast milk and women who applied nothing. Women who applied an "all-purpose nipple ointment", in comparison to women who applied lanolin, had no improvement in nipple pain after seven days of treatment. There was insufficient evidence that glycerine gel dressings, lanolin with breast shells, lanolin alone, expressed breast milk, or all-purpose nipple ointment improved maternal perceptions of nipple pain.Overall, there was insufficient evidence to recommend any intervention for the treatment of nipple pain. However, one important finding was that regardless of the treatment used, for most women nipple pain reduced to mild levels after approximately seven to 10 days' postpartum. The provision of anticipatory guidance regarding usual time to pain reduction may be a useful strategy in assisting women to continue to breastfeed and to do so exclusively. The overall quality of the evidence for the primary outcome of nipple pain as assessed using GRADE was of low quality, mainly because single studies with few participants contributed data for analysis. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: There was insufficient evidence that glycerine gel dressings, breast shells with lanolin, lanolin alone, or the all-purpose nipple ointment significantly improved maternal perceptions of nipple pain. The results from these four trials of good methodological quality suggested that applying nothing or just expressed breast milk may be equally or more beneficial in the short-term experience of nipple pain than the application of an ointment such as lanolin.The quality of the evidence for this review did not lead to robust conclusions regarding the objectives assessed. We included only four trials, incorporating 656 women, in the review and all four trials compared varying interventions, participants, study outcome measures, and standards of usual care. The methodological quality of the included studies was good but the overall quality of the evidence for the primary outcome of nipple pain was of low quality, mainly because single studies with few participants contributed data for analysis.

Evaluación clínica de un preparado tópico a base de parafina líquida y alcohol de lanolina como acelerador de la regeneración cutánea en casos de piel dañada. Resultados de un estudio observacional en el entorno laboral / epared clinical evaluation of topical with liquid paraffin and an alcohol of lanolina like accelerator of cutaneous regeneration in cases of damaged skin. Results of a observacional study in the labor surroundings

La piel es la primera barrera protectora contra las agresiones externas. La alteraciones de la piel, dermatosis, suponen un 13% de las enfermedades profesionales y más del 40% de los trabajadores en algún momento de su vida laboral tendrán un problema dérmico.La finalidad del estudio es verificar la seguridad, eficacia, compatibilidad y tolerancia de un nuevo producto, Aquaphor pomada reparadora, para mejorar y acelerar la curación de las lesiones de piel en trabajadores una vez producidas las mismas (AU)

Abstract: Skin is the first protective barrier against external aggressions. Skin disorders account for 13% of occupational diseases and more than 40% of workers at some point in their working lives will have a skin problem. The purpose of the study is to verify the safety, effectiveness, compatibility and tolerance of a new product, restorative Aquaphor ointment, to improve and accelerate the healing of skin lesions in workers once they have been produced (AU)

Cholesterol- and lanolin-rich diets may protect against steroid-induced osteonecrosis in rabbits.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: It remains controversial how hypercholesterolemia influences the development of steroid-induced osteonecrosis (ON). We investigated the role of hypercholesterolemia induced by a cholesterol-rich diet on the development of ON in rabbits. METHODS: 40 adult male Japanese white rabbits were randomly divided into 2 groups. 20 rabbits were maintained on a cholesterol-rich diet for 2 weeks before receiving steroid treatment (the CHOL group). The other 20 rabbits were maintained on a standard diet (the control (CTR) group). 2 weeks after the start of the study, all 40 rabbits were injected with methylprednisolone acetate (MPSL) into the right gluteus medius muscle (20 mg/kg body weight). 2 weeks after the steroid injection, both the femora and humeri were examined histopathologically for the presence of ON. Hematological analysis of the serum lipid levels was performed every week. Based on the same protocol, we also investigated the effects of lanolin, a primary component of a cholesterol-rich diet, in another group (the LA group). RESULTS: The incidence of ON in the CHOL group (3/20) was lower than that observed in the CTR group (15/20) (p < 0.001). During the whole experiment, the levels of total cholesterol and the ratio of low-density lipoprotein to high-density lipoprotein in the CHOL group were higher than those observed in the CTR group (p < 0.001). The LA group also had a lower incidence of ON (2/20), and the lipid levels in the LA group showed similar changes to those observed in the CHOL group. INTERPRETATION: Our findings suggest that preexisting hypercholesterolemia itself induced by a cholesterol-rich diet does not increase the risk of developing steroid-induced ON, but rather seems to diminish it. Lanolin may be the active anti-ON component of the cholesterol diet.

Randomized Controlled Study of Ocular Lubrication Versus Bandage Contact Lens in the Primary Treatment of Recurrent Corneal Erosion Syndrome.

PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy of bandage contact lenses (BCLs) in comparison with that of ocular lubricants (OLs) in the initial management of recurrent corneal erosion syndrome. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial of 29 patients with recurrent corneal erosion syndrome presenting to the ophthalmology departments of the Oxford Eye Hospital and the Royal Berkshire Hospital, United Kingdom. The patients were randomized to wear either BCLs (for a 3-month duration, replaced every 30 days) or use OLs (4 times a day, with Lacri-Lube ointment at night for 3 months). The patients were assessed monthly for 4 months, and their symptoms were graded by visual analog scores. The main outcome measure was the complete resolution of symptoms with no noticeable corneal surface abnormality. Patients with a complete resolution were followed up for another 3 months to check for recurrence. RESULTS: Fourteen patients were randomized to the BCL arm, and 15 were randomized to the OL arm. After 3 months, a complete resolution was achieved in 71% of the patients (10/14) with BCLs compared with that achieved in 73% of the patients (11/15) on OLs (P > 0.05). Partial resolution was noted in 7% of the patients with BCLs versus 13% of the patients on OLs. Twenty-one percent of the patients in the BCL group and 13% of the patients in the OL group failed to respond to the treatment. Patients on BCLs had earlier resolution of symptoms, with a mean time of 5 weeks compared with 9 weeks for OLs (P = 0.02). None of the patients with BCLs developed adverse side effects. CONCLUSIONS: BCLs do not increase the likelihood of complete resolution when compared with OLs in the initial management of RCES. However, BCL treatment seems safe, and some patients experience earlier relief from symptoms.

Efficacy of HPA Lanolin® in treatment of lip alterations related to chemotherapy.

UNLABELLED: The side effects of chemotherapy on the lips may cause esthetic and functional impact and increase the risk of infection. HPA Lanolin® is an option for supportive therapy because it has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and moisturizing properties. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of this product in the prevention of lip alterations in a population of patients undergoing chemotherapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients undergoing chemotherapy (n = 57) were examined and distributed into two groups: study (used HPA Lanolin®) and control (without supportive therapy on the lips). We evaluated the patients two weeks after chemotherapy, registering oral alterations, symptoms of pain, discomfort, limitation of mouth opening and dehydration, classified according to a visual analogue scale. RESULTS: Patients who used HPA Lanolin® had lower dehydration and experienced improvement of lip dryness (p<0.001). The main symptoms were dehydration, discomfort, limitation of mouth opening, pain. The main clinical signs were dry lips, mucositis, cheilitis, hematoma, swelling and cracking. We found no difference concerning the variables of pain, discomfort, and limitation of mouth opening between the study and control group. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that HPA Lanolin® is effective in reducing the symptoms of dehydration and the signs of lip dryness resulting from toxicity of chemotherapy, proving to be an interesting alternative supportive therapy for cancer patients.

Efficacy of HPA Lanolin® in treatment of lip alterations related to chemotherapy

The side effects of chemotherapy on the lips may cause esthetic and functional impact and increase the risk of infection. HPA Lanolin® is an option for supportive therapy because it has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and moisturizing properties. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of this product in the prevention of lip alterations in a population of patients undergoing chemotherapy. Material and Methods: Patients undergoing chemotherapy (n = 57) were examined and distributed into two groups: study (used HPA Lanolin®) and control (without supportive therapy on the lips). We evaluated the patients two weeks after chemotherapy, registering oral alterations, symptoms of pain, discomfort, limitation of mouth opening and dehydration, classified according to a visual analogue scale. Results: Patients who used HPA Lanolin® had lower dehydration and experienced improvement of lip dryness (p<0.001). The main symptoms were dehydration, discomfort, limitation of mouth opening, pain. The main clinical signs were dry lips, mucositis, cheilitis, hematoma, swelling and cracking. We found no difference concerning the variables of pain, discomfort, and limitation of mouth opening between the study and control group. Conclusions: We suggest that HPA Lanolin® is effective in reducing the symptoms of dehydration and the signs of lip dryness resulting from toxicity of chemotherapy, proving to be an interesting alternative supportive therapy for cancer patients.

A systematic review of the interventions for nipple trauma in breastfeeding mothers.

PURPOSE: To identify the most effective interventions to treat nipple trauma in breastfeeding mothers. DESIGN AND METHODS: Systematic literature review using the PICO strategy. The search was conducted on the electronic information systems Medline-PubMed, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), World Health Organization Library Information System (WHOLIS), Cochrane, ScienceDirect (Elsevier), Embase, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), using standardized and unstandardized descriptors. Studies were selected if they were controlled or uncontrolled randomized clinical trials written in English, Portuguese, or Spanish. Two reviewers evaluated the studies independently using a guide, and in case there were disagreements, a third reviewer was called on to reach a consensus. Of the 496 studies located, five were included. FINDINGS: The treatments investigated were lanolin, lanolin in association with breast protection shells, breast milk, hydrogel, adhesive polyethylene film dressings, a spray containing chlorhexidine with alcohol, and distilled water. All the groups in every study received breastfeeding education. The best outcomes for the treatment of nipple trauma used lanolin (recommendation B, evidence level 2) and breast milk (recommendation B, evidence level 2). Although one clinical study was found with positive outcomes resulting from treatment using a spray containing alcohol and chlorhexidine 0.2% (recommendation B, evidence level 2), this treatment modality should be further investigated since literature is not in favor of using antiseptic substances in skin wound treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the treatments investigated, the most favorable evidence indicates the use of lanolin alone or in association with breast protection shells and breast milk expressed and rubbed into the nipple and areola after each feeding session. However, the results obtained in this review are inconclusive, indicating the need for further studies in order to clarify the action of breast milk and lanolin on the damaged tissues, as well as studies involving samples representative of the number needed to treat. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study provides evidence for nursing practice, thus contributing to the improvement of lactating mothers with nipple trauma care and, consequently, improving the rates of successful breastfeeding as well as the quality of life of breastfeeding mothers.

An all-purpose nipple ointment versus lanolin in treating painful damaged nipples in breastfeeding women: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The negative outcomes associated with painful and damaged nipples have been widely documented in the breastfeeding literature. Numerous studies have been conducted evaluating topical preparations to treat nipple pain and damage with equivocal findings. No studies have evaluated the effectiveness of the increasingly popular all-purpose nipple ointment (APNO). The purpose of this trial is to evaluate the effect of the APNO versus lanolin on nipple pain among breastfeeding women with damaged nipples. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A double-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted in a large single-site, tertiary-care hospital in Toronto, ON, Canada. Breastfeeding women (n=151) identified as having damage to one or both nipples were randomized to apply either APNO (intervention group) or lanolin (control group) to their nipples according to the trial protocol. The primary outcome was nipple pain at 1 week after randomization measured using the Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire. Additional outcomes at 1 week after randomization and 12 weeks postpartum included nipple yeast symptoms and/or mastitis, rates of breastfeeding duration and exclusivity, and maternal satisfaction with infant feeding method and treatment ointment. RESULTS: There were no significant group differences in mean pain scores at 1 week after randomization. Women in the lanolin group reported significantly greater satisfaction with their infant feeding method and had nonsignificantly higher breastfeeding duration and exclusivity rates at 12 weeks postpartum. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that APNO is not superior to lanolin in treating painful, damaged nipples.