Applying Topical Ointment

[Forest Walker]

I'm beginning to use a Q-Tip cotton swab to apply steroid ointment to small-ish patches on my legs, rather than my fingertip.  It appears to work as well as trying to rub the ointment in with my fingers and protects the skin of the fingers from wearing thin or cracking over repeated application.

I'd been using Q-Tip to apply a milder ointment, off and on for a long while, between my toes.  Then last night, I thought why not use the Q-Tip to apply to patches that are easy to get to, such as on the legs?

Does anyone else use a Q-Tip this way?  Do you always apply ointment with your bare fingers?

[Fred]

I just use my fingertip, they are pretty tough and as long as you wash any excess off I wouldn't have thought it would cause a problem.

Plus some steroid creams are more potent than others. Enstilar for example say "Enstilar should be sprayed directly onto each affected skin area and rubbed in gently. The hands should be washed after using (unless Enstilar is used to treat the hands) to avoid accidentally spreading to other parts of the body"

[Turnedlight]

Yes I’ve used them to apply 1% hydrocortisone to my face - don’t worry it was under advice from the derm - I didn’t want to get any unaffected skin so I found the q-tip (cotton bud) very useful..

[Kat]

I've used them for my ears. Mostly as I find it easier to apply. (And no not down IN the ear)

Otherwise I feel I have better control using my fingertip. But if I were doing it constantly then I might be concerned about using my fingertips to apply and rub in.