Vaseline is a semi-solid, odorless mixture of hydrocarbons used in various industries. It was initially marketed as a cure-all but is now primarily used for personal care. It can seal wounds and protect skin, but should not be used on recent burns or around the nose. It can also be used as a lubricant and to protect metals from oxidation damage.
Vaseline is a mixture of hydrocarbons that is semi-solid at room temperature and is also odorless if properly refined. It is used in a variety of industries, although many people associate it with the popular personal care product of the Vaseline® brand. It can also be marketed as petroleum jelly or soft paraffin. Many general stores carry this product and it can also be found in medical supply houses and pharmacies.
In 1859, workers on oil rigs noticed a thick substance clogging their drills. Supposedly, someone came up with the idea of putting the substance on cuts and burns, and after some chemical refinement, commercial petroleum jelly began to be marketed on a large scale. Initially, it was seen as a cure-all, recommended for a wide range of medical conditions, although later studies and analyzes have suggested it was not, in fact, a miracle cure. In addition to being used in personal care, gelatin has also been marketed for use as a lubricant and sometimes shows up in some surprising places.
In the sense of a personal care item, there are a few practical uses for petroleum jelly. It doesn’t heal cuts and burns, but it can keep wounds clean by sealing them, which can be helpful in an emergency. However, it can also trap infectious agents under the skin and should never be used on recent burns. As a skin protection tool, this product can be very useful, especially in cold weather, although it will leave your skin feeling greasy.
Some people recommend using it for cracked and runny noses, especially in winter. Unfortunately, this product shouldn’t be used around the nose, as it can cause a condition called lipoid pneumonia, a lung infection caused by inhaling fat. It can also interfere with the nose’s ability to naturally clear the air as a person inhales, which could also contribute to lung infections. It should also not be used as a sexual lubricant in conjunction with latex barrier protection, as it can degrade latex.
Petroleum jelly can also be a useful lubricant in some cases, although it can also clog machinery. Because it protects objects from oxidation, it can be used to coat metals that are vulnerable to oxidation damage. For example, many printers and engravers use a thin layer to protect the type and plates from oxidation so they can be stored.
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