Users should immediately seek medical attention if they experience hives, rashes, or itching. Any skin irritations such as pain, burning, or cracked skin that were not present prior to use of ointment must receive immediate care.It has been shown to cause contact dermatitis in some cases. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria
Concern exists that its use contributes to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. In the US, the only large market for the ointment, it may increase antibiotic resistance. For instance, it may increase the prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria, specifically the highly lethal ST8:USA300 strain. Components
The original ointment contains three different antibiotics: bacitracin, neomycin, and polymyxin B, in a relatively low-molecular-weight base of cocoa butter, cottonseed oil, sodium pyruvate, tocopheryl acetate, and petroleum jelly.The generic name for these products, regardless of the base, is "triple antibiotic ointment". In China, the product is named "compound polymyxin B ointment" and is manufactured there by Zhejiang Fonow Medicine Co. Ltd. The product was also marketed by the Upjohn Company under the name "Mycitracin", until 1997 when that name was acquired by Johnson & Johnson.Some people have allergic reactions to neomycin, so a "double antibiotic ointment" is sold without it, containing only
bacitracin and polymyxin B: one such example is Polysporin branded product.A "Plus" variant of the ointment exists that adds the analgesic pramoxine, but uses the cheap, simple, long-lasting, but heavier petroleum jelly base, common to many over-the-counter topicals. The latest version of this analgesic formulation, a high-absorption cream, excludes bacitracin because it is unstable in such a base.
History
Initial surgical efforts to treat the condition were published in 1976 by Herbert Dedo and involved cutting of the recurrent laryngeal nerve. Notable cases
Scott Adams, creator of the comic strip Dilbert
Johnny Bush, country and western musician and songwriter
Susan Collins, U.S. Senator from Maine
Keath Fraser, Canadian author who has documented the challenges and treatment of his condition in the book The Voice Gallery: Travels With a Glass Throat (2002)
Chip Hanauer, American hydroplane racing driver
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., political and environmental activist, son of Robert F. Kennedy
Mary Lou Lord, indie folk musician
Benny Martin (1928–2001), American bluegrass fiddler, affected from 1980 to 1997
Darryl McDaniels of the rap group Run DMC
Jenny Morris (OAM), New Zealand-born Australian pop, rock singer-songwriter
Diane Rehm, American public radio talk show host
Mark Stuart, American Christian rock musician, of Audio Adrenaline
Linda Thompson, British folk-rock musician
Aleesha Rome, causing her to quit her singing career. References


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