Lanolin is derived from the fleece of sheep. Oil is extracted from the fleece, then refined into anhydrous lanolin. Many products contain lanolin such as medicated shampoos, hemorrhoid preparations, shaving creams, eye makeup, glossy lipstick, sunscreen, printing ink and furniture polish. Lanolin is also very useful for certain types of skin conditions. According to DermNet NZ, you should avoid lanolin-based products if you have an allergy to wool.
Nipples
Breastfeeding mothers can experience dry, cracked nipples due to the moisture of the breast milk drying on the skin’s surface or from the baby latching on improperly. Nipples are already a very sensitive area on women, so adding dry, cracked, bleeding nipples is very painful. According to PubMed.gov, lanolin is used to treat dry, cracked nipples. Mothers who are breastfeeding can use lanolin to protect and shield their nipples. Lanolin is very effective when it comes to locking in moisture which prevents the nipple from drying out. The Mercy Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, conducted a study of 42 breastfeeding mothers. The mothers who used lanolin cream to ease sore nipples experienced more relief than the mothers who used moist wound dressings. PubMed.gov recommends using lanolin above all other products to protect and shield nipples. If you are breastfeeding and using lanolin, you can place a sanitary breast shield in front of your nipple region to prevent the lanolin cream from absorbing into your clothing.
Corns and Calluses
Lanolin is also effective in relieving pain associated with corns and calluses. Corns and calluses are commonly found on feet and can cause a lot of pain, especially when walking or standing for long periods of time. According to the New York Times, you can apply lanolin cream to the callus or corn to soften it. It is also helpful if you wear a pair of socks to cover your feet to prevent the lanolin cream from rubbing off into carpet, bed linens or shoes. Thick socks can absorb some of the pressure your feet experience when walking or standing, as they provide more cushion than thin socks or no socks at all. After you’ve applied the lanolin cream to your corn or callus, you can provide additional protection to the area by wearing a round-shaped pad to decrease friction from your socks when you walk.
Dry Skin
Dry skin requires moisture to heal and doesn’t have to be expensive to work effectively. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, lanolin cream can relieve dry, chapped skin whether it is your hands, feet, elbows or lips. Lanolin protects and shields skin in addition to trapping moisture to rehydrate your skin. For very dry skin, you can apply lanolin cream to the affected regions and use a humidifier in your room while you sleep to add extra moisture to the air. If your dry skin doesn’t improve or begins to show signs of infection, seek professional care from your family practitioner.
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