Emollients: risk of severe and fatal burns with paraffin-containing and paraffin-free emollients

Several years ago, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), in partnership with the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC), charities and organisations from across health and social care, launched a campaign to raise awareness of the risk of severe and fatal burns with paraffin-containing and paraffin-free emollients.

This news story is to remind pharmacy owner and their teams about the risks and the advice provided by the above organisations.

Advice for pharmacy owners and their teams

• Emollients are an important and effective treatment for chronic dry skin conditions and people should continue to use these products. However, you must ensure patients and their carers understand the fire risk associated with the build-up of residue on clothing and bedding and can take action to minimise the risk. An information sheet for healthcare professionals which provides further information on the risks is available on the GOV.UK website.
• When recommending, dispensing, selling or prescribing, instruct individuals not to smoke or go near naked flames because clothing or fabric such as bedding or bandages that have been in contact with an emollient or emollient-treated skin can rapidly ignite. A patient leaflet and poster are available to download on the GOV.UK website to assist with talking to patients about the risks.
• Warnings, including an alert symbol, have been added to packaging to provide a visual reminder to patients and those caring for them about the fire hazard; dispensing labels must not be placed over these warnings.
• There is a fire risk with all paraffin-containing emollients, regardless of paraffin concentration, and it also cannot be excluded with paraffin-free emollients. A similar risk may apply for other products which are applied to the skin over large body areas, or in large volumes for repeated use for more than a few days.
• Be aware that washing clothing or fabric at a high temperature may reduce emollient build-up but not totally remove it.
• Report any fire incidents with emollients or other skin care products to the Yellow Card Scheme.

Further MHRA and NFCC resources are available on the GOV.UK website.