Fantastic for lots of skin complaints (Lucas' Pawpaw Ointment)

Member Name: llamass

Product:	Lucas' Pawpaw Ointment
Date:	19/06/09 (227 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Soothing and effective

Disadvantages: Has to be ordered online if living in the UK

I was first given this ointment by an Australian friend who waxed lyrical about it's many properties and ability to cure any skin ailment and I have to admit that I was a little dubious-the front of the tube says 'fresh fermented fruit' and I did wonder if it would be another miraculous remedy that has a mere placebo effect.

The tube says it is a ' local topical application for boils, burns, chafing, cuts, cracked skin, gravel, rash, splinters, open wounds, insect bites and nappy rash'. The website (www.lucaspapaw.com.au) adds that it is suitable for temporary relief of dermatitis, eczema and even haemorrhoids. It also claims a mild antiseptic effect so is good not just for soothing but for cleansing of wounds and prevents infection. The product is petroleum based with 39mg\g of the active ingredient of fermented papaw and 0.1mg\g of potassium sorbate as a preservative. It is suitable for all age groups including babies.

I suffer from eczema in cold climates and find it very difficult to control despite a range of creams and ointments recommended by family, friends and doctors. Being stuck without any other options and with cracking lips I decided that it was unlikely to make it any worse and gave it a go.

The ointment is extremely thick and has a stodgy texture, similar to vaseline or other petroleum products, to it, is free from 'bits' and is a very light orange but clear colour. Once on your skin the ointment looks completely clear. The smell is not very strong and isn't unpleasant either although slightly unusual. It is a difficult smell to describe-the best I can say is 'natural', although I don't intend this to imply that it smells like fruit, fresh or fermented!

Putting it on my lips it had an immediate soothing effect. Again like petroleum jelly the ointment melts slightly on skin contact and is very spreadable but remains thicker than an ordinary cream product. I kept applying it as I would a normal soothing cream and found that it really relieved the eczema-only when I stopped applying it would the eczema flair up again. Much more effective than most other creams I have come across.

I have also found it a fairly effective moisturiser when I have little else although the thick consistency means that it isn't instantly absorbed. It does leave the skin feeling soft.

The other complaint I have used the ointment for is blisters on my feet from wearing new flipflops and again the ointment was soothing and didn´t sting at all on application. It is difficult to say if the antiseptic effect is true but at no point did the blisters become inflammed as they are liable to and healed quickly.

The ointment is available in 25gm tubes or tubs of 75gm and 200gm. It is an Australian product so isn't available in shops in the UK (or at least I have never come across it) but can be found online at pawpawstore.co.uk for 3.49 for the small tube and 9.19 and 19.99 pounds for the tubs respectively which is a comparable price to other salves and ointments.

Summary: Worth trying for anyone with eczema or other