Bepanthen

introduction

Bepanthen® is a product range from Bayer that includes a wound and healing ointment, antiseptic wound cream, scar gel, eye drops, eye and nasal ointment, seawater nasal spray, Sensiderm cream, cooling foam spray and the Bepanthen® solution.
Probably the best-known product is the wound and healing ointment, which is used on smaller skin wounds such as cuts or scratches as well as on dry, cracked and brittle skin areas.

The active ingredient in all Bepanthen products is called Dexpanthenol, which is another name for provitamin B5. It supports the natural healing process of skin and mucous membranes and thus promotes faster wound healing.
Since the active ingredient is a vitamin precursor, Bepanthen can be used at any age and has few side effects.

Active ingredient and effect of Bepanthen®

The active ingredient dexpanthenol is provitamin B5, i.e. a precursor of the vitamin, which the body can convert to vitamin B5.
Vitamin B5 is part of coenzyme A, which plays an important role both in fat metabolism and in carbohydrate and protein metabolism. The external supply of the provitamin is supposed to simplify the production of fat and sebum in the skin, as well as the production of substances that are required for wound healing.
Furthermore, Dexpanthenol promotes the formation of new skin cells. This means that the active ingredient dexpanthenol only supports the body's own wound healing and is therefore not an artificial intervention in the body.
Antipruritic and anti-inflammatory properties have also been observed from dexpanthenol. The active ingredient is stored in different substances depending on the product, e.g. Dexpanthenol in Bepanthen wound and healing ointment is embedded in an ointment base, a water / oil emulsion, whereby the active ingredient can penetrate the skin well, but at the same time a protective film is left on the skin, which protects the wound or application site from Preserves drying out.
Depending on the area of ​​application, in addition to dexpanthenol, different ingredients are included as carrier substances, some with additional care properties.

Ingredients of the Bepanthen® wound and healing ointment

The other ingredients of Bepanthen® wound and healing ointment, apart from the actual active ingredient dexpanthenol, are essentially only carriers and substances that lubricate and moisturize the skin. They include:

• Bleached wax
• Thick paraffin
• Thin liquid paraffin-white vaseline-ceresin-glycerol monooleate-wool wax alcohol mixture (Protegin X)
• purified water,
• Cetyl alcohol
• almond oil
• Stearyl alcohol
• White vaseline, wool wax

Indications for Bepanthen®

Bepanthen® wound and healing ointment is mainly applied to smaller skin defects such as cuts, abrasions or burns. With all these wounds, however, it should be noted that they should first be cleaned and disinfected before Bepanthen® is used, as the cream itself cannot do anything against dirt and bacteria in the wound.
Alternatively, the wound can also be cleaned with water and then treated with Bepanthen® antiseptic wound cream. In the case of lacerations and bite wounds, the manufacturer advises against self-treatment with Bepanthen® and recommends a doctor's visit.
Another use of Bepanthen is to treat dry and cracked skin. It is a sign of a lack of moisture and oil in the skin. Both Bepanthen® wound and healing ointment and Bepanthen® Sensiderm cream are suitable for this use.
For skin defects on the nose or eyes, be it smaller wounds or dry skin, Bepanthen® offers special eye and nasal ointments.
A so-called "off-label use" (i.e. the use of a drug outside of the manufacturer's recommendation) is the treatment of freshly made tattoos with Bepanthen® wound and healing ointment.

Other areas of application for the Bepanthen® product range include eye drops for irritated and dry eyes, cooling foam spray for use on sunburn, seawater nasal spray for dry nasal mucosa, scar gel for use on itchy or painful scars and Bepanthen® solution for use on the oral mucosa.

Dosage and application

• Use of creams, ointments and solutions: With these products from the Bepanthen® range, it is important to apply a thin layer of the respective product to the affected (mucous) skin layer once or several times a day. For the antiseptic wound cream, the manufacturer's recommendation is to only use the cream once or twice a day.
• Use in the eye: Bepanthen® eye and nasal ointment can be applied to the eye by placing a strand of ointment about 1 cm long in the conjunctival sac and then blinking to distribute the ointment. Contact lens wearers should remove the contact lenses before use, as the ointment can damage them. To use Bepanthen® eye drops, a drop is placed in the affected eye, which is then closed (do not pinch) and rolled.
• Bepanthen® foam spray: After the burn has cooled, the spray should be sprayed evenly and thinly onto the affected area from a distance of 5 cm. The foam film does not have to be massaged in.
• Bepanthen® nasal spray: For moistening and cleaning the nose, nasal spray can be given into each nostril once or several times a day in up to two sprays.

Side effects of Bepanthen®

Since the active ingredient in Bepanthen® is a provitamin, which the body needs to survive and which does not represent a major interference with the body's own processes, Bepanthen has almost no side effects.
In rare cases, contact allergies, i.e. allergic reactions occur at the place of application. However, these are usually directed against one of the ingredients of the product base and not against the active ingredient dexpanthenol. In such a case, it is best to wash the product off.
With Bepanthen® antiseptic wound cream, an allergic reaction can very rarely occur all over the body. When using Bepanthen® eye and nasal ointment in the eye, the cream may temporarily impair vision. In this case, you should not participate in road traffic.

Products from Bepanthen

Bepanthen® refers to a range of products with the active ingredient "Dexpanthenol".
This includes the following means:

• Bepanthen® wound and healing ointment
• Bepanthen® eye drops
• Bepanthen® eye and nose ointment
• Bepanthen® Antiseptic Wound Cream
• Bepanthen® solution
• Bepanthen® seawater nasal spray
• Bepanthen® scar roller
• Bepanthen® Sensiderm
• Bepanthen® foam spray

Bepanthen wound and healing ointment

Bepanthen® wound and healing ointment can be applied to light wounds affecting the skin and mucous membrane surface to support natural wound healing. In doing so, you should generally act according to the instructions of the doctor or pharmacist. As a rule, the ointment should be applied to the affected skin area one to several times a day. The duration of treatment depends on the severity of the injury and the speed of healing. However, if there is no improvement after one week or if the symptoms have worsened, it is advisable to consult a doctor.

The treatment should be stopped immediately if a local allergic skin reaction, e.g. visible through:

• itching
• Redness
• overheat
• Rash
• Oozing
• Blistering
  or
• Skin irritation,
  or one or a whole body (systemic) allergic reaction
  • significant increase in heart rate (Tachycardia)
  • Breathing difficulties (Dyspnea)
  • widespread rash (dermatitis)

occurs.
In addition, a doctor or pharmacist should be consulted promptly to avoid further reactions and, if necessary, write down a new ointment that does not contain the active ingredient Dexpanthenol contains.

No other side effects are known for Bepanthen® wound and healing ointment. There are no restrictions on use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Likewise, impairments to concentration or alertness are not described, so that it is possible to drive or work on machines without restrictions.

However, are diseases of the body's immune system (immune system) or known to the skin and the skin-forming system, a doctor should be consulted urgently.

The other ingredients can also Cetyl alcohol, Stearyl alcohol and Wool wax possibly small local skin irritations (e.g. Skin dermatitis) to lead.

In addition, it should be noted that the ointment in the anal or genital area in combination with white petroleum jelly reduces the tear resistance of a condom and thus its safety in contraception may be reduced.

For use on eye injuries is the Bepanthen® wound and healing ointment not to use but the Bepanthen® eye and nose ointment (see below).

The Bepanthen® wound and healing ointment must be kept out of the reach of children at temperatures below 25 ° C. The expiry date on the box / tube must be observed and the ointment should only be used for 3 months after opening.

Active ingredients and additives of the Bepanthen® wound and healing ointment are:

• Dexpanthenol (1g ointment contains 50mg dexpanthenol)
• bleached wool wax
• thick paraffin
• thin paraffin
• white vaseline-ceresin-glycerol monooleate-wool wax alcohol mixture (protein X)
• purified water
• Cetyl alcohol almond oil
• Stearyl alcohol

The ointment itself is pale yellow and easily spreadable. It is available in tubes of 20g, 50g and 100g and is made by Bayer Vital GmbH.

Further information is available under our topic: Bepanthen® wound and healing ointment

Bepanthen eye drops

Many people suffer from dry eyes. These can be caused by various factors such as mechanical stress from wearing soft or hard contact lenses, environmental stress factors such as e.g. Drought, heat, cold, cigarette smoke, air conditioning or polluted air or during diagnostic and medical procedures. In addition, certain types of work can put a lot of strain on the eyes, such as long periods in front of the computer or a microscope.

Bepanthen® eye drops now form a protective film for the outermost layer of the human eye, the cornea (Cornea), and at the same time will promote the moisturizing of the eye. This can help to alleviate the symptoms and as a precaution (prophylactic) to prevent dry eyes.

The protective film that is built up is very similar to the natural tear film and in no way impairs vision. The active ingredients Dexpanthenol and Hyaluronic acid guarantee a long-lasting effect and a good supply of moisture to the eyes.

Since the drops are sterile and contain no preservatives, they can be used over a long period of time without any concerns. There is also no counter-reason for long-term use for contact lens wearers.

The Bepanthen® eye drops are used in a single-dose container. These can be opened by twisting the head and then placed in the eye. A head tilted backwards with a glance towards the forehead facilitates the application. If you now lift the lower part slightly from the eye by gently pulling it, you can put a drop directly into the conjunctival sac (Saccus conjunctiva) give. By carefully closing your eyes, you can now distribute the liquid regularly on the cornea.

The drops can be used 3-5 times a day as needed. However, it is important to note that any residues may not be used again after application. The same applies in the event of contamination or damage to the packaging. The container itself should also not touch the eye and the use-by date of the drops should not be exceeded.

If additional eye drops are to be taken, this must be done every 15 minutes, whereby Bepanthen® eye drops should always be used last.

Some side effects are known with Bepanthen® eye drops. On the one hand, an allergic reaction to one of the ingredients can occur. If you experience a burning sensation or something similar, wash your eyes immediately and consult a doctor.

On the other hand, a short-term impairment of visual performance can occur after the application. Until normal visual performance is restored, use of machines, participation in road traffic or moving on unsecured terrain should be avoided.

In rare cases, existing irritation or very sensitive eyes lead to further irritation of the eye caused by Bepanthen® eye drops.

Even in the case of inflammation or acute injury to the eye, a doctor should first be consulted who can assess the possible risks.

Lastly, it should be mentioned that the one contained in the eye drops Phosphate buffer In the presence of surface damage to the cornea and prolonged use, in very rare cases lead to a deposit of calcium salts.

The Bepanthen® eye drops contain the following ingredients:

• Sodium hyaluronate 0.15%
• Dexpanthenol 2%
• Sodium chloride
• Sodium monohydrogen phosphate
• Sodium dihydrogen phosphate
• water

The drops are usually in 20 x 0.5ml one-dose containers from the Bayer Vital GmbH to acquire. They are to be stored in the folding box between 2 ° -25 ° C.

Read more on the topic Bepanthen® eye drops.

Bepanthen eye and nose ointment

Bepanthen® eye and nasal ointment promotes the body's own wound healing and is supportive in repair processes of slight, superficial damage to the cornea (Cornea), Conjunctiva (Conjungtiva) or nasal mucosa.

Use as directed by the doctor. Unless otherwise prescribed, the conjunctival sac or the nasal mucosa should be smeared with the ointment several times a day. It should be noted that after use and contact with the nasal mucosa, the tube must not be used on the eye.

The duration of use depends on the type of complaints and the healing process. However, if there is no improvement in the eye or in the nasal mucosa after up to 4 days or 1 week, a doctor should be consulted.

When using the Bepanthen® eye ointment, there are a few things to consider. First of all, it must be mentioned that the ointment must not be used if contact lenses are worn, as it will build up deposits on the lenses and damage them.

In addition, when used on or in the eye, a short-term impairment of visual acuity can occur, which is why the ability to drive and use machines is limited until the patient regains his or her strength.

Interactions with other drugs are not yet known. There are also no reasons to restrict the use of Bepanthen® eye and nasal ointment during pregnancy and breastfeeding. There is also no evidence of impaired fertility (Fertility) and fertility. The elderly patient does not need special attention.

As with most medications, Bepanthen® eye and nasal ointment can also have side effects:

So can allergic reactions to the active ingredient Dexpanthenol or on one of the additives (see below). If symptoms such as itching, reddening, overheating, rash, oozing, blistering, skin irritation or whole-body abnormalities such as a significant increase in heart rate occur (Tachycardia), Breathing difficulties (Dyspnea), widespread rash (dermatitis), a doctor or pharmacist must be consulted as soon as possible.

The ingredients can also cause a local inflammatory reaction of the skin (e.g. contact dermatitis).

In known diseases of the body's own defense (immune system) or the skin or the skin-forming system, you should act with particular care and speak to a doctor beforehand.

Bepanthen® eye and nasal ointment contains the following ingredients:

• Dexpanthenol (1g ointment contains 50mg dexpanthenol)
• rac- (3R) -3-hydroxy-4,4-dimethyloxolan-2-one
• Wool wax
• thick paraffin
• white vaseline
• water

The whitish ointment is from the Bayer Vital GmbH sold and available in 5g or 10g tubes. It should be stored at less than 25 ° C and should not be used for longer than 1 week on the eyes or 4 weeks on the nose after opening. The expiry date must not be exceeded.

Read more on this topic at: Bepanthen® eye and nose ointment

Prices of Bepanthen® products

Of the Bepanthen® products, the Bepanthen® wound and healing ointment is the cheapest at around € 2.75 for a 20 g tube.
The most expensive of the Bepanthen® series is the scar gel, for which you have to spend around 15 € per 20g. All other products are priced fairly evenly between this high and low value.

Areas of application for Bepanthen®

Bepanthen® products are used for a wide variety of complaints or symptoms. For example, the various products are used in:

• Dry lips
• Small open wounds
• Sunburn and burns
• After tattoos
• For scar treatment
• To relieve itching

Application of Bepanthen® on the lips

Especially in winter, the lips can dry out and crack as a result of the alternation between warm heating and cold outside air.
In particular, the cold leads to a reduction in the metabolism of the skin cells, which therefore produce less sebum. However, since the sebum is a protective function of the skin, it is easier for the lips to dry out and tear. Bepanthen® cares for and protects against further damage to the skin.
If you don't want to smear wound and healing ointment on your lips, you can also fall back on the Bepanthol® range from Bayer, which offers a lip balm with dexpanthenol, among other things. There are also alternatives from other companies for this product, such as from la Roche-Posay or Eucerin.

Use of Bepanthen® on open wounds

In the case of actively bleeding wounds, applying a Bepanthen® cream initially does not help, as the active ingredients are immediately flushed out of the tissue again by the blood flow.
As soon as the bleeding has stopped, however, it is advisable to clean and disinfect the wound under running water. For the latter, Bepanthen® antiseptic wound cream is suitable, which is applied to the open wound for this purpose.
Alternatively, you can also take another antiseptic and then apply Bepanthen® wound and healing ointment to the wound. As soon as scabs have formed on the wound, treatment with an antiseptic can be dispensed with and only continued treatment with the wound and healing ointment.
It is essential to note that self-treatment should be avoided in the case of lacerations, stab wounds, deep wounds and large-scale injuries and a doctor should be consulted instead.

Use of Bepanthen® for sunburn and burns

In the Bepanthen® product range there is a product specially designed for sunburn and burns, the Bepanthen® cooling foam spray. It cools the skin through the evaporation effect, thereby relieving pain.
Since you don't have to massage it in, it can also be applied painlessly. The active ingredient provitamin B5 promotes the healing of the tissue and, in combination with the other ingredients, provides moisture, which is very important for skin damaged by burns.
In the case of excessively large burned areas, burns with blistering or burns that do not heal after a few days, (further) use should be avoided and a doctor should be consulted instead.
Theoretically, the application of Bepanthen® wound and healing ointment on sunburns and burns is also possible and helpful, but here the application may hurt more and no cooling is guaranteed.

Post treatment of a tattoo with Bepanthen®

Provitamin B5 (dexpanthenol) is an active ingredient that is contained in many tattoo aftercare products.
It promotes better wound healing and keeps the skin supple, which is important as the quality of the tattoo can suffer if a crust forms shortly after the sting. With regard to this ingredient, Bepanthen® can also be used instead of special tattoo aftercare products.
In this case, it is advisable to apply cream to the tattoo several times a day (it should not dry out) and to apply a new layer of cream, especially after showering or sweating intensely.

Bepanthen® for scar treatment

The manufacturer of the Bepanthen® series (Bayer) sells a special Bepanthen® scar gel, which is intended to heal both fresh and older scars and thus make them less noticeable.In the first month after the scar has formed, Bepanthen® scar gel should be used twice a day, but only after the wound has been closed.
Like all Bepanthen® products, it contains dexpanthenol, which promotes the healing of scars and wounds according to the principle of action described above, as well as silicone, which forms a film on the surface of the skin and is therefore intended to prevent the newly formed skin from drying out.
The scar gel is sold with a special massage roller, which should be used to treat the same from the second month after the scar appears. Bayer recommends massaging the scar twice a day in order to increase blood circulation, as this allows excess skin material to be broken down more easily and then applying Bepanthen® scar gel. Treatment should be carried out in this way for at least two months in order to be successful.

Bepanthen® for the treatment of itching

Bayer also has a special product on offer against itching (pruritus): Bepanthen® Sensiderm Cream for use on dry, itchy skin areas.
It contains lipids (fats), which are similar to the lipids present in the skin, and the active ingredient dexpanthenol to moisturize the skin and restore the skin barrier. It also contains neither fragrances nor dyes, so as not to irritate the already damaged skin any more.
However, this cream has no effect on itching, which is triggered by insect bites or allergic reactions, as it can neither neutralize the insect venom nor end the allergic reaction.

Do Bepanthen® products also help against pimples?

Pimple control is not a common use of Bepanthen® products.
Since Dexpanthenol stimulates the production of sebum, using Bepanthen on a pimple that is still closed could even be counterproductive.
In the case of an inflamed, open pimple, however, the use of Bepanthen® antiseptic wound cream could be helpful, as it fights a bacterial infection of the pimple on the one hand, but also promotes wound healing. This application then falls within the Bepanthen® range of indications, as a scratched or squeezed pimple can definitely be viewed as superficial skin damage.

Can Bepanthen® also be used in the genital area?

Most products from the Bepanthen® series are not suitable for use in the genital area, the aseptic wound cream should be emphasized here, as it would disrupt the vaginal environment in particular, as well as the cooling foam spray, which must not be used on mucous membranes.
Bepanthen® wound and healing ointment can be used in the genital area, however, it should be noted that the ingredient white vaseline in latex condoms increases the tendency to tear and thus makes contraception with condoms less reliable.
For the other Bepanthen® products, no information is given about the use in the intimate area, so a doctor should be consulted before use or Bepanthen wound and healing ointment should be used

Can Bepanthen® be used to treat herpes?

Bepanthen® wound and healing ointment promotes wound healing and is therefore not suitable for combating viral infections such as herpes.
If used carelessly, the cream could even lead to herpes infections in these areas by spreading the virus to other skin areas.
The antiseptic wound cream is also not suitable for fighting herpes, as the antiseptic active ingredient chlorhexidine only fights fungi and bacteria, but not viruses such as the herpes simplex virus, which is responsible for cold sores.
It is therefore not advisable to use Bepanthen® on cold sores. Instead, commercially available antivirals such as acyclovir ointment or penciclovir ointment, which are also available without a prescription, should be used.

Can Bepanthen® be used after laser therapy?

Laser treatments are sometimes a massive intervention in the layers under the skin's surface and the affected areas can become infected.
Depending on the treatment, the use of Bepanthen® can be helpful; However, it should not be done without consulting a doctor, preferably the treating cosmetic doctor.
Usually, after a laser treatment, the doctor prescribes follow-up care products or recommends the right care products. In such a case, Bepanthen® should not be used in addition to other products, as this could lead to adverse interactions.

Does Bepanthen® help against wrinkles?

There is no special Bepanthen® product against wrinkles. However, it is possible that the intake of Bepanthen's active ingredient vitamin B5, which promotes skin regeneration, reduces wrinkles.
Such people, who tend to have oily facial skin, are not advised to use this application, as the fat production of the skin is further promoted by Bepanthen®.
The use of Bepanthen® on wrinkles does not usually cause any damage, so there is nothing against trying Bepanthen® according to the above-mentioned application principles and restrictions and observing how the skin reacts to it.

Use of Bepanthen® during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Since the active ingredient dexpanthenol is a provitamin, which only promotes the body's own metabolic pathways, but does not intervene in any way, like many other drugs, most Bepanthen® products can also be used without hesitation during pregnancy and breastfeeding. An exception is Bepanthen® antiseptic wound cream, for which no data are available for use on pregnant women or during breastfeeding.
The manufacturer advises not to use the cream over a large area during these times and, in the case of breastfeeding women, not to the breast area. The latter also applies to the Bepanthen® solution. With Bepanthen® Sensiderm Creme, any cream residues on the breast should be wiped off before breastfeeding.

Alternatives to Bepanthen®

There are many other skin care products, especially wound and healing ointments, that contain dexpanthenol. For example, creams with this active ingredient are available from Jenapharm, Heumann and Hexal, all of them under the name “panthenol cream”.
At 1.66 € per 100g, the Heumann preparation is also many times cheaper than the branded product from Bepanthen®.
For the other products in the Bepanthen® range, there is usually a cheaper alternative under the active ingredient name "Panthenol". Here you can e.g. List the Panthenol seawater nasal spray, which costs 2.89 per 20ml, in contrast to the Bepanthen® seawater nasal spray, which costs 3.89 per 20ml.
If you want to save money when buying a product with the ingredient dexpanthenol, you can simply ask for the cheapest alternative at the pharmacy of your choice.