Vishnevsky Ointment: What It Is and Whether It Still Helps

Vishnevsky ointment has a long history in wound care, marked by a distinctive scent and a controversial reputation. This article explains what it contains, why it became popular, and what today’s clinicians think about its usefulness and safety.

What is Vishnevsky Ointment?

The formulation was created by Soviet surgeon Alexander Vishnevsky in 1927. It includes birch tar for its characteristic smell and a compound known as Xeroform, or bismuth tribromophenolate, which has antibacterial properties. In some settings, Xeroform is used in burn dressings as part of wound care.

Why was it used?

During World War II, Vishnevsky ointment was widely used by soldiers and medical teams to treat wounds. The packaging and traditional guidance described antibacterial and local-irritant effects and claimed it could speed up tissue repair.

Different sources list different applications. Some say it is suitable for infected skin and soft-tissue infections such as abscesses, boils, lymphadenitis, and lymphangitis, as well as burns, frostbite, wounds, ulcers, and pressure ulcers. Others suggest use on non‑infected but slow‑healing wounds.

Is it safe and does it work?

There have been no modern international clinical trials of Vishnevsky ointment. There are no publications in major medical databases like PubMed or the Cochrane Library, and the World Health Organization has little information on the product.

In Russia, surveys of surgeons show that many still prescribe older remedies, including Vishnevsky ointment, for wound care. Some doctors also use adjunct therapies to speed healing, though this is not common practice.

Dr. Elena Petrova, a senior surgeon, questions whether the ointment delivers the effects described in older instructions and suggests using other antibacterial products for wound care.

Professor Andrei Blatun from the Vishnevsky Institute of Surgery argues that the balsamic liniment is outdated, does not reliably relieve pain or swelling, and is not consistently effective against bacteria. He notes that reviewing thousands of patient records shows outcomes may improve with modern wound-care approaches rather than older, less effective remedies.

As for safety, potential side effects include allergic reactions and skin irritation with prolonged use. More serious concerns arise from the tar’s components, which include certain compounds that may be carcinogenic with long-term exposure. Lab studies show that Xeroform can kill bacteria in test tubes, but this does not always translate to real-life benefits. Some dressings containing tribromophenolato of bismuth showed no antibacterial effect against multiple bacteria in studies.

What do doctors use instead of Vishnevsky Ointment?

In modern practice, the chosen treatment depends on the wound type. A clinician determines the most appropriate approach for each case.

Abscesses

Abscesses are typically opened and drained, and antibiotics may be used if needed. Regenerative or healing creams are not standard components of care in these scenarios.

Boils

Antiseptics such as povidone-iodine or chlorhexidine are commonly used. Antibiotics are prescribed based on the clinician’s assessment. There is usually no focus on speeding up healing with specific healing creams.

Lymphadenitis

Treatment depends on the underlying cause and can range from observation to surgery or targeted therapies. Antibiotics are used systemically (by mouth or injection) rather than as topical ointments.

Lymphangitis

Often treated with systemic antibiotics, along with pain relief and anti-inflammatory medicines. Cool compresses may be recommended.

Burns

Care depends on burn depth and size. Superficial burns may not require topical antibiotics. More extensive wounds may need special dressings with antimicrobial properties, such as silver-containing or hydrocolloid dressings, plus pain management. Severe burns require specialized burn units.

Frostbite

Antibiotics are rarely needed; when indicated, they are given systemically rather than applied with a dressing.

Principles of wound care consider the cause, size, and condition of the wound. If infection is present, clinicians use systemic antibiotics as appropriate.

Ulcers and pressure sores

Antibiotics are reserved for confirmed bacterial infection and are given for a limited period, typically several days.

Expert opinion

Expert comment: Modern evidence does not support the claims of Vishnevsky ointment’s healing actions. Clinicians should rely on standard antiseptics and antibiotics tailored to the wound.

Bottom line

Vishnevsky ointment has a long historical footprint, but it lacks robust modern evidence and may carry safety concerns with long-term use. For wounds, most clinicians now prefer evidence-based antiseptics, proper wound cleansing, and antibiotics when indicated. Always consult a healthcare professional for wound care decisions.

Key insight: In contemporary wound care, traditional remedies like Vishnevsky ointment are rarely recommended due to limited evidence and potential risks; care should be guided by evidence-based antiseptics and antibiotics prescribed by a clinician.