What is in KIP ointment?

Answer 1

As far as I can tell, it was a burn ointment circa 1960 that contained aromatic oils, including wintergreen, spearmint and bay. I can't find a reference to it that's much newer than that, and when I looked REALLY hard, I hit a few sites that made my firewall flip out. I conclude this product is no longer made.

And that's probably a good thing. In the 1960's, first aid for burns was to cover them with oil, grease, butter, etc. This excluded oxygen from the injury, and thus reduced the pain a little. It also acted as sort of an adhesive that picked up dirt and bacteria and held them close to what would often be an open wound.

Modern burn treatment does not use this method anymore. We treat non-extreme burns (limited second degree) much as regular wounds, and don't topically medicate them.

For smaller blisters -- limited 2nd degree -- I would recommend, the following:

• Don't pop the blister -- it'll do so on its own. If it's already popped trim the dead skin away and wash with warm water and soap, then lay on some Betadyne or other non-sticky antiseptic.
• Bandage with a clean, not too tight bandage.
• Wound check it every day or two until it heals.

Of course, more serious burns will need treatment by a professional.

Kip is the most amazing burn ointment. I heard they don't make it anymore, what a shame.

Answer 2

According to the tin I have it contains:

O-phenol (o.5%), phenol(0.5%), zinc oxide. salicylic acid, methyl salicylate, modified lanolin, spearmint oil, bay oil, paraffin and petrolatum.

I believe I bought this about 40 years ago.

Answer 3

Someone must still make kip?. I use to use it and it worked very well.