Lanolin
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Lanolin, a grease from wool-bearing animals, acts as a skin ointment, water-proofing wax, and raw material (such as in shoe polish).
Lanolin is "wool fat" or grease, chemically akin to wax, it is produced by wool-bearing animals such as sheep, and is secreted by their sebaceous glands. These glands are associated with hair follicles. Lanolin acts as a waterproofing wax, and recent studies indicate that antibiotics are also present in the lanolin. It aids sheep in shedding water from their coats. Certain breeds of sheep produce large amounts of lanolin, and the extraction can be performed by squeezing the wool between rollers. Lanolin is used commercially in a great many products ranging from rust-preventative coatings to cosmetics. Most or all the lanolin is removed from wool when it is processed into textiles e.g. yarn or felt.
Lanolin is often used as a raw material for producing vitamin D3.
Medical grade lanolin is also used as a cream to sooth skin. Lansinoh cream, a product that some breastfeeding mothers use on sore and cracked nipples, is pure, hypoallergenic, bacteriostatic medical grade lanolin. This grade of lanolin can also be used to treat chapped lips, diaper rash, dry skin, rough feet, minor cuts, minor burns and skin abrasions.
Lanolin is also used by engineers at Queen's Univerity in the annual Grease Pole competition, in which the incoming class must climb a 30 foot steel pole covered in lanolin, that is standing in a pit of cold water. The new students must remove a tam (similar to a beret) from the top of the pole in order to be accepted as members of the faculty. The current record is 31 minutes and 11 seconds set by the class of 2008.
External links
- Lansinoh and lanolin (http://www.lansinoh.com/P-Lansinoh%20for%20Breastfeeding%20Mothers.htm)
- La Leche League International's stance on lanolin (http://www.lalecheleague.org/FAQ/heal.html)