Neosporin First Aid Triple Antibiotic - Is it safe for Aquariums?

[that Fish Guy]

I am in the Water a lot.

And because of this my Finger Tips Dry Out and Crack (Sometimes even Bleed).

So at Night (After I am done messing around in my Aquariums) I use this Neosporin knockoff by Equate.

Then I wrap my Fingers in Band-Aids for the Night to help keep them from Drying Out.

The First thing I do when I wake up (Before I do anything in any of my Aquariums) is I take the Band-Aids off and Take a Shower to Wash Off any Residue of this Product.

I have been doing this for Years and have never had any Problems.

But many would say that I am overly Paranoid.

If I started using this Product throughout the Day (Not just at Night when I am Sleeping) could it cause any Problems in my Reef Tanks?

Or is it Natural and Perfectly Safe?

Here is a Link to the Product.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Equate-Triple-Antibiotic-First-Aid-Ointment-2-oz/20659621

I also have added a Picture of it Below.

The Ingredients are

Bacitracin
Neo-Mycin Sulfate
Polymyxin-B Sulfate.

Like I said it is a Cheap Knockoff of Neosporin First Aid Antibiotic.

Is it Safe to use?

My Fingers are Still Dry and I would like to use it More often than Once a Day.

Does anybody use this stuff? Or Regular Neosporin or anything Similar?

If so what have your experiences with it been when around Aquariums?

Any help or tips would greatly be appreciated.

 

[julie180]

Why do you have your hands in your tank so much? Might be worth reevaluation your routine.

As far as cracked fingertips, I think there are much better products on the market.

 

[dkeller_nc]

My first thought as someone that's worked in the healthcare field for years is that you shouldn't be using an antibiotic as a fix for dry, cracked skin - you use an ointment like the one you've linked to for a an infected cut, or potentially on a cut to prevent an infection (though even that last use is controversial).

There are quite a number of products out there that will moisturize skin to prevent cracking, such as "Bag Balm", and perhaps a better alternative would be a skin barrier product - these materials form a flexible, temporary coating on the skin that prevents water from removing the oils and fatty acids that keep your skin flexible.

Finally, you might consider closing the cracks in your skin with cyanoacrylate glue. It works extremely well, and is better than band-aids because it retains its integrity in water. There's a "medical grade" version of this that has the Band-Aid brand on it (the knock-offs are a different chemical related to nail polish, and they don't work nearly as well), but I use ordinary cyanoacrylate gel in my woodshop to seal minor cuts and abrasions - it's a lot cheaper than the "medical grade" stuff.

 

[tkeracer619]

I had similar problems and after visiting a 2nd dermatologist ended up with a medication I used daily for two weeks and it resolved the issue.

Long thick rubber gloves are something I would consider right away. If they are too thick get some "special delivery" gloves (@ a farm supply).

 

[Sk8r]

A common treatment is an ointment like keri lotion and sleeping in gloves with lotion. Many women do it as a beauty treatment. I take it by your screenname you are male. You might pick up your courage and go get a manicure for starters (I personally hate the process with a passion) which will smooth any tattered skin. Then put a lotion dispenser handy to your work, and when you have to reach in the tank, use ordinary exam gloves (your pharmacy) with a rubber band around the wrist---won't keep all the water out, but will make a significant diff.

 

[RadReefer]

I had a seahorse that developed a substantial tissue wound on his body leading to the skeleton. Usually this leads to bacterial infection and death. Every day, I removed the fish from the water and applied neosporin with a Q-tip and the wound healed completely. This was in a seahorse tank with a variety of macro algae and gorgonians. No adverse effects noted at all.

 

[whiteshark]

1. Wear gloves in the tank whenever possible. 2. Working Hands is by far the most effective treatment for cracked hands I've ever used. It's amazing.

 

[that Fish Guy]

My first thought as someone that's worked in the healthcare field for years is that you shouldn't be using an antibiotic as a fix for dry, cracked skin - you use an ointment like the one you've linked to for a an infected cut, or potentially on a cut to prevent an infection (though even that last use is controversial).

There are quite a number of products out there that will moisturize skin to prevent cracking, such as "Bag Balm", and perhaps a better alternative would be a skin barrier product - these materials form a flexible, temporary coating on the skin that prevents water from removing the oils and fatty acids that keep your skin flexible.

Finally, you might consider closing the cracks in your skin with cyanoacrylate glue. It works extremely well, and is better than band-aids because it retains its integrity in water. There's a "medical grade" version of this that has the Band-Aid brand on it (the knock-offs are a different chemical related to nail polish, and they don't work nearly as well), but I use ordinary cyanoacrylate gel in my woodshop to seal minor cuts and abrasions - it's a lot cheaper than the "medical grade" stuff.

Is this "Bag Balm" safe for Reef Tanks?

 

[that Fish Guy]

Does anybody know if the Product has ever been actually Proven Safe (or Unsafe) for Reef Tanks?

The Ingredients are

Bacitracin
Neo-Mycin Sulfate
Polymyxin-B Sulfate

Or does anybody know anything Specifically about any of these Ingredients?

 

[dkeller_nc]

Is this "Bag Balm" safe for Reef Tanks?

Should be; it's largely lanolin. That said, it's always best to avoid putting something in a reef tank that you don't have to. Sk8r's and others suggestion is the best one - if you've sensitive skin, gloves would be best. Shoulder-length ones would be ideal, but the latex exam gloves they sell in the pharmacy are effective.