An unguent is a soothing preparation spread on wounds, burns, rashes, abrasions or other topical injuries (i.e. damage to the skin). It is similar to an ointment, though typically an unguent is less viscous and more oily.
It is usually delivered as a semi-solid paste spread on the skin and is often oily to suspend the medication or other active ingredients. See also salve.
Various preparations of mercurochrome unguent are occasionally used as Adjunct therapy in the treatment of Trucker's itch, Fungulosis, and palliative relief of Kaposi sarcomas, although mercurials should only be used in extreme cases due to high toxicity and severe hypersensitivity or idiosyncratic reactions.
It was also used by the Egyptians to help soothe their skin from the dry heat.