subject: Compounding Pharmacies Offer Alternatives To Prescription Skin Care [print this page] Compounding pharmacies, otherwise known as specialty pharmacies, create customized prescription medications and products that are formulated based on an individual's unique needs. While they were the original form of medication disbursement, they all but disappeared when mass produced drugs became available. Thanks to the internet, many people are more informed about their options and are making more educated decisions when it comes to prescriptions - and these pharmacies are making a huge comeback.
Skin care is one area where specialty pharmacies are really making an impact. Whether you are concerned about general skin care, dermal conditions or appearance, compounding pharmacists can help, as they have alternative products to treat anything from acne and aging to burn care and psoriasis.
Skin is the largest vital organ of the human body, and is the first line of defense against germs. Its care is critical, because when there is any sort of damage, such as a cut or burn, entire bodies become more vulnerable to infections and disease. Infections can potentially do more than swell or become painful at the point of injury. If untreated, infections can spread and progress, potentially into something as serious as gangrene which of course can result in amputation and in the most serious cases, death.
Conventional medical treatments for most skin problems, regardless of how they were caused, often includes ointments, generally anti-microbial, to prevent bacterial growth. If the wound has become infected, antibiotics become a very important part of the treatment. Many times, steroids are used in conjunction with other treatments to reduce inflammation.
Compounding pharmacies will take a somewhat different approach that is nevertheless effective, and might be preferred by many who don't like the idea of overuse of antibiotics and steroids to treat their bodies. For example, there are treatments that are anti-inflammatory, but do not use steroids. Instead they target the hormones that create inflammation and pain. These treatments may be either in the form of ointment or pills. Another component of the treatment might be Allantoin, a compound that is produced naturally by plants and animals to renew skin cells and promote healing. Allantoin is already used in lotions and skin creams to help with skin hydration, so if it works to help heal a wound, antibiotics could be unnecessary.
How you care for your skin should be an individual choice. Compounding pharmacies have expanded our choices and create products for each of us, individually. If you are opposed to use of antibiotics and steroids unless absolutely necessary, perhaps a consultation with your physician or naturopath is in order to help you take charge of how you care for your skin.
