[Bored chemist]

I'm afraid you don't have any experience in this.

I have used vaseline for greasing vacuum  fittings.
And I didn't bother with gloves, so I got it on my skin.
And it's not there now.
So, it's pretty clear that it comes off.

[Bored chemist]

they prescribed hibiscrub and a cream.

Can you post the ingredients list for the cream?

[Petrochemicals]

Hi,

It's very distressing. I wish that you would think before you post something. I'm trying to be civil but your dismissiveness is not helping.

I happen to know it is on the skin... I actually know. People don't generally imagine that kind of thing. Your assumption that nothing is there is based on your theoretical knowledge most likely that has not been tested. You have never applied half a jar of vaseline to your genitals. I have.

You can argue the wisdom of doing such a thing. I did have a reason. It usually helps if you start with the assumption that the person posing the problem might have something that is new to you. I know you might find that very surprising.

Thanks for listening

Its not vaseline harry, superglue grows off your skin, so vaseline has no chance.

[Harry01]

Hi,

Sending this on my phone and can't see how to use the block quotes.

'Can you post the ingredients list for the cream?'

Yes, happy to.

Zeroags emollient cream: macrogol cetostearyl ether 1.8 percent w/w, cetostearyl alcohol, chlorocresol, liquid paraffin, paraffin white soft  and purified water.

[Bored chemist]

, paraffin white soft

Well, that answers the question.
If you don't want vaseline on your skin, don't use a skin cream that contains vaseline.

[Harry01]

Can you explain. Paraffin white soft is vaseline? Hmmm, well I just used what the doctor prescribed to remove it. 

[Harry01]

Okay, I haven't used the cream however for several days.

And I didn't use that cream for the four years I have had this on my skin. I'd used e45 cream, T gel shampoo for greasy hair, washing up liquid and mechanics hand cleaner (swarfega).

[Bored chemist]

"E45 cream and lotion contain light liquid paraffin, white soft paraffin and..."
https://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/skin-hair/a6632/e45-cream-and-lotion/

But I still want to know how you think you have ruled out the idea of greasy skin as the cause.

[Harry01]

Bored chemist, I've never had greasy skin and just have no reason to think that is the case. The skin, and I'm sure you'd agree generally does a very good job of maintaining itself.

Its hard to describe but the colour of the substance I see on the skin is yellow. And that stands out from my  white skin. You have to look closely mind and with good light.

There are other factors involved but I want to get you on my side. Let's say that it's not vaseline for the sake of argument. It is definitely a yellow substance that I can see as distinct from the skin.

Then there is the fact that greasy skin would not block feeling the skin.

Best example I can give is I have removed enough of it to 'feel' when I put hot water on it. The vaseline, that much of it was such an effective barrier that you cannot feel the hot water even when on the other areas of skin where you can. So there was/I'd an aspect of what you feel and the visual aspect: a yellow substance.

[Colin2B]

.... You have never applied half a jar of vaseline to your genitals. I have.

I had been going to ask how much you used and where you put it, adding that a photo would help! Sort of glad I didn’t.

There have been reports that women using petroleum jelly on genitals are more at risk from a bacterial infection. A thought - a large amount of the jelly would block air to the skin, change the skin moisture content,  and might allow fungal infection to set in. It might be worth looking to see if there are any bacterial or fungal infections that might give skin a greasy, yellowish appearance.

[Bored chemist]

If there's enough of it to see what colour it is then there's enough to analyse it and confirm or refute the idea that it's vaseline.

[Harry01]

Hi,

I just carried out an experiment. I bought a jar of vaseline and I applied a lot of this. I could get it off right away even after replicating how I applied the product in 2015. Could that Bach of vaseline be contaminated?

[set fair]

I have an idea what the problem might be. Do you get a twinge in your right shoulder when you take a pee ?

[Bored chemist]

Hi,

I just carried out an experiment. I bought a jar of vaseline and I applied a lot of this. I could get it off right away even after replicating how I applied the product in 2015. Could that Bach of vaseline be contaminated?

Possibly, but unless you have the original container, we will never know.
However, as has been pointed out, even superglue doesn't stick for that long.

[Harry01]

I couldn't speculate.

The pharmacist at my local practice has reported this, though.

Seems that from what everyone is saying that it's an unusual occurrence so I think that it would raise the suspicion with whatever I bought.

I'll keep you updated.

[Bored chemist]

Seems that from what everyone is saying that it's an unusual occurrence

No.
We are saying it is an impossible occurrence.

You need to get a sample of the yellow stuff analysed if you want to find out what's going on.

[Harry01]

Okay but something is possible about it. It's not an optical illusion. I'll speak to my doctor about it. But it's been a hard job getting anyone to listen.

Thanks

[Bored chemist]

Okay but something is possible about it. It's not an optical illusion. I'll speak to my doctor about it. But it's been a hard job getting anyone to listen.

Thanks

My advice is not to tell the doctor that you think it's 5 year old vaseline because he will know that is nonsense. Doctors know that superglue wears off in a matter of days.

Tell him there's some sort of greasy stuff on your skin and it's bothering you..

[Harry01]

Okay, will do. Perhaps it is some fungal infection. Do think it's bad that it's not been diagnosed. The problem has certainly been going on for 5 years.

Cheers

[Bored chemist]

Well, if you were insisting it was something impossible, how likely was a correct diagnosis?

I suggest "drawing a line under it", and seeing what happens now.