If skin is a watertight barrier, how do medicinal creams work?
In: Biology
Watertight does not necessarily mean chemical tight. Many substances can be carried through the skin by interacting with the cell walls. Because they largely consist of lipid (fat-like substances) layers some chemicals can interact and pass through. It is particularly true of many organic solvents, also things like organophosphorus pesticides and related nerve agents. It will also absorb hydrophilic (water-loving) chemicals, just more slowly. Some organic carrier solvents also aid the passage of those compounds where they would not pass ordinarily.
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