unc·tion

1. The act of anointing as part of a religious, ceremonial, or healing ritual.

2. An ointment or oil; a salve.
3. Something that serves to soothe; a balm.
4. Affected or exaggerated earnestness, especially in choice and use of language.

unction
Noun
1. Chiefly RC & Eastern Churches the act of anointing with oil in sacramental ceremonies
2. oily charm
3. an ointment
4. anything soothing [Latin unguere to anoint]

ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms

Noun 1. unction - excessive but superficial compliments given with affected
charm
fulsomeness, smarm
compliment - a remark (or act) expressing praise and admiration

2. unction - smug self-serving earnestness

smarminess, unctuousness, fulsomeness, oiliness, oleaginousness
hypocrisy - insincerity by virtue of pretending to have qualities or beliefs that
you do not really have

3. unction - semisolid preparation (usually containing a medicine)

applied externally as a remedy or for soothing an irritation
ointment, salve, unguent, balm
arnica - an ointment used in treating bruises
baby oil - an ointment for babies
balsam - an ointment containing a fragrant resin
carron oil - an ointment formerly used to treat burns
cerate - a hard medicated paste made of lard or oil mixed with wax or resin
chrism, chrisom, holy oil, sacramental oil - a consecrated ointment consisting of a
mixture of oil and balsam
lip balm - a balm applied to the lips
mentholated salve - a salve containing menthol
mercurial ointment - an ointment containing mercury
curative, cure, therapeutic, remedy - a medicine or therapy that cures disease or relieve
pain
zinc ointment - an ointment containing zinc that is used to treat certain skin diseases
medical specialty, medicine - the branches of medical science that deal with nonsurgical
techniques
lanolin, wool fat, wool grease - a yellow viscous animal oil extracted from wool; a mixture
of fatty acids and esters; used in some ointments and cosmetics
 4. unction - anointing as part of a religious ceremony or healing ritual
inunction
anointing, anointment - the act of applying oil or an oily liquid
religious ceremony, religious ritual - a ceremony having religious meaning

unc·tion
Pronunciation:
\ˈəŋ(k)-shən\
Function:
noun
Etymology:
Middle English unccioun, from Anglo-French, from Latin unction-, unctio,
from unguere to anoint — more at OINTMENT
Date:
14th century
1: the act of anointing as a rite of consecration or healing2: something used for
anointing : OINTMENT, UNGUENT3 a: religious or spiritual fervor or the expression of
such fervor b: exaggerated, assumed, or superficial earnestness of language or
manner : UNCTUOUSNESS

anointment
religion

Main
ritual application of oil or fat to the head or body of a person or to an object; an almost
universal practice in the history of religions, although both the cultic practice followed
and the sacred substance employed vary from one religion to another. It is possible to
recognize three distinct, though not separate, meanings ascribed to ritual anointments by
the devotees of various religions

CLASSIFICATION OF OINTMENT BASES

Ointment bases c a n be classified according to composition a n d general
characteristics. The ointment base or vehicle may or may n o t be therapeutically active.
It may be used without active ingredients if only protection or emollient properties are
desired. Ointment bases fall into o n e of these classes: oleaginous, absorption,
emulsion, or water-soluble.
a. Oleaginous Ointment Bases. Oleaginous ointment bases include n o t o n l y
vegetable oils a n d animal fats, b u t also hydrocarbons derived from petroleum.
Because
of their nature, oils a n d fats become rancid a n d foul smelling on exposure to t h e
atmosphere a n d to light. Preservatives a n d antioxidants are necessary ingredients in
these bases. The hydrocarbon bases may include liquid petrolatum to lower viscosity
or
white wax to raise it. White Ointment, U S P is a typical combination of hydrocarbons.
(1) Petrolatum (Vaseline). Petrolatum is a tasteless, odorless,
yellowish, greasy solid with a melting point between 38° Celsius (C) a n d 60°C. White
petrolatum is decolorized petrolatum. It is used more frequently than yellow
petrolatum.
Petrolatum is v e r y stable, v e r y compatible with most substances, a n d emollient to
the
skin. The consistency c a n easily be varied by t h e incorporation of mineral oil (liquid
petrolatum) or white w a x . Petrolatum-type ointment bases are more stable t h a n
vegetable- or animal-type bases. However, all of these bases are greasy. The degree
to which t h e y release t h e incorporated medication is questionable. They are able to
absorb o n l y v e r y small amounts of water, unless treated with cholesterol.
(2) (Jelene (Plastibase). Jelene, a mixture of hydrocarbons in t h e liquid a n d
wax ranges, h a s a jelly-like consistency. It is better t h a n petrolatum in many respects.
It maintains its consistency over a wide range of temperature without additives. It
releases medication more reliably a n d provides a better appearing ointment.
(3) Silicones. Silicones, polymers of silicon a n d oxygen, make good
ointments for protecting t h e skin from moisture.
MD0809
5-3

Ointment
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Look up ointment in
Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

An ointment is a viscous semisolid preparation used topically on a variety of body

surfaces. These include the skin and the mucus membranes of the eye (an eye ointment),
vagina, anus, and nose. An ointment may or may not be medicated.

Contents
[hide]
 • 1 Description
• 2 Evaluation of ointments
• 3 Methods of preparation of ointments
• 4 Topical medication forms
• 5 See also
• 6 References

• 7 External links

[edit] Description
The vehicle of an ointment is known as ointment base. The choice of a base depends
upon the clinical indication for the ointment, and the different types of ointment bases
are:

1. Hydrocarbon bases e.g. hard paraffin, soft paraffin

2. Absorption bases e.g. wool fat, beeswax
3. Water soluble bases e.g. macrogols 200, 300, 400
4. Emulsifying bases e.g. emulsifying wax, cetrimide
5. Vegetable oils e.g. olive oil, arachis oil, coconut oil

The medicaments are dispersed in the base and later they get divided after the drug
penetration into the living cells of skin.

Ointments are homogeneous, semi-solid preparations intended for external application to

the skin or mucous membranes. They are used as emollients or for the application of
active ingredients to the skin for protective, therapeutic, or prophylactic purposes and
where a degree of occlusion is desired.

Ointments are formulated using hydrophobic, hydrophilic, or water-emulsifying bases to

provide preparations that are immiscible, miscible, or emulsifiable with skin secretions.
They can also be derived from hydrocarbon (fatty), absorption, water-removable, or
water-soluble bases.

[edit] Evaluation of ointments

1. Drug content
2. Release of medicament from base
3. Medicament penetration
4. Consistency of the preparation
5. Absorption of medicament into blood stream
6. Irritant effect

Properties which affect choice of an ointment base are:

 1. Stability
2. Penetrability
3. Solvent property
4. Irritant effects
5. Ease of application and removal

[edit] Methods of preparation of ointments

Trituration: In this finely subdivided insoluble medicaments are evenly distributed by
grinding with a small amount of the base followed by dilution with gradually increasing
amounts of the base.

Fusion: In this method the ingredients are melted together in descending order of their
melting points and stirred to ensure homogeneity.

[edit] Topical medication forms

• Cream - Emulsion of oil and water in approximately equal proportions. Penetrates
stratum corneum outer layer of skin well.
• Ointment - Combines oil (80%) and water (20%). Effective barrier against
moisture loss.
• Gel - Liquefies upon contact with the skin.
• Paste - Combines three agents - oil, water, and powder; an ointment in which a
powder is suspended.
• Powder[1]

[edit] See also

• Cream (pharmaceutical)
• Lotion
• Liniment
• Gel

References
1. ^ "Doctor, why are you prescribing an ointment?"; American Academy of Dermatology

Development and Implementation of a Flowchart for Ointment Base Selection

http://www.allacademic.com/meta/p_mla_apa_research
_citation/1/9/6/2/3/p196238_index.html
Abstract:

Objectives: To improve students’ skills in selecting appropriate ointment bases through

the development of an ointment base selection flowchart. Methods: A flowchart was
designed to help students make decisions about ointment base selection, considering
desired product properties, particle size reduction requirements, liquid/semi-solid
compatibilities, and patient acceptance. Students worked with the flowchart throughout
the semester in both dry lab and wet lab activities. At the end of the semester, students
completed a dry lab practical that included the requirement of selecting an appropriate
ointment base and levigating agent. Student performance data from the previous year’s
dry laboratory practical was compared to the current year’s performance data. Labeling
and calculations performance between the two years was also compared as a control, as
these were not part of the flowchart. Results: Prior to implementation of the flowchart, 52
of 103 students selected the correct base. After implementation, 85 of 106 students
selected the correct base (p<0.001). Neither labeling errors nor calculation errors were
statistically different between the two years. Implications: The ointment base selection
flowchart improved student performance when used in the context of a dry lab
assignment. This difference does not appear to be simply due to a difference in class
performance. Future application will include an evaluation of its impact on base selection
during a wet lab practical.

[edit] External links

• History of ointments

[hide]
v•d•e
Route of administration / Dosage forms

Oral Pill · Tablet · Capsule ·

Enteral/digestive
Orally disintegrating
tract
tablet · Elixir

Inhaler (Metered-dose,
Respiratory tract
Dry powder) · Nebulizer

Circulatory systemSublingual
 administration

ENT Eye drop · Ear drop

Ointment · Cream · Transdermal implant ·

Transdermal Transdermal patch · Lotion · Liniment · Gel ·
Shampoo · Paste

Subcutaneous · Intravenous · Intramuscular ·

Injection/parenteral
Intrathecal

Pessary (vaginal suppository) · Vaginal ring ·

Vaginal
Douche · Intrauterine device

Rectal Suppository · Enema

EczemaNet Article
Doctor, why are you prescribing an ointment?

Ever wonder why your dermatologist prescribed an eczema medication that

comes in ointment form when you’d really prefer a cream? There is actually a
very good reason. Each dermatologic medication is most effective in a certain
form, e.g., cream, ointment, etc. The following describes the various forms that
dermatological medications may take and the benefits of each form.

Cream
A cream consists of two agents, oil and water, that combine to form an emulsion
of oil (50%) in water (50%). This form helps the medication contained within to
penetrate the stratum corneum, the horny outer layer of the skin.

Use:

• Soothing moisturizer

Liquid
Commonly used liquids include baths, wet dressings, paints, and gels that liquefy
upon contact with the skin. The tar bath, which is used to treat eczema and other
skin conditions, is a liquid.

Oil is a liquid that cannot be dissolved in water. Oil is often combined with other
ingredients to form oil-in-water agents and water-in-oil agents.

Uses:

• Dries sweaty and/or oozing skin

 • Reduces inflammation

Ointment
Ointments combine oil (80%) and water (20%). This combination generally forms
a more effective barrier against moisture loss than creams and lotions so
ointments tend to be better moisturizers. While moisturizing is key to controlling
eczema, an ointment may not always be the form prescribed by your
dermatologist because a cream or other form may more effectively deliver a
prescribed medication.

Uses:

• Forms protective layer on the skin

• Strong moisturizer - better at locking in moisture than creams and
lotions because contains more oil

Paste
A paste combines three agents - oil, water, and powder. By definition, a paste is
an ointment in which a powder is suspended. Pastes are drying and less greasy
than ointments. They make an effective carrier for some dermatologic
medications. A common paste used to treat eczema contains zinc oxide (a
powder), calcium hydroxide solution, and oil.

Use:

• Soothes inflamed and “weeping” skin

Powder
A single agent, powder is frequently added to other agents to make shake lotions
and pastes. A common powder prescribed by dermatologist is zinc oxide. Powders
should never be applied to skin creases when the skin is “weeping” as clumps
may form that rub and irritate the skin, making the condition worse.

Uses:

• Decreases friction on skin-to-skin surfaces

• Promotes drying of sweaty and oozing lesions

Shake Lotion
Shake lotions are made by combining powder and liquid. As the name implies,
shake lotions must be shaken before being applied.

Use:

• Treat oozing lesions, wet lesions

All content solely developed by the American Academy of Dermatology