Avoca

Under our Avoca brand we make silver nitrate (or caustic) pencils and applicators. Avoca Caustics are a convenient easy-to-use low-cost option for the treatment of warts, verrucae and granulation tissue, for cautery, and related topical operations. We have been manufacturing silver nitrate caustic products for nearly a century. They are well received in the medical world, especially in the areas of dermatology, ENT, and obstetrics / gynaecology, chiropody / podiatry and have enjoyed a long tradition of customer satisfaction for quality and efficacy. This website contains guidance and information on the effective use of Avoca.

Nix

Under our Nix brand we make styptic pencils or haemostatics. A styptic or hemostatic pencil (not to be confused with a caustic pencil) is a short stick of medication, usually anhydrous aluminium sulphate (aka aluminum sulphate) which is a type of alum, used to stop bleeding by causing blood vessels to contract at the site of the wound. It is an essential part of a shaving kit to seal cuts caused by shaving. Although modern razor manufacturers would have us believe their products don’t cut, styptics remain popular for men and women. Nix styptic pencils are also effective in reducing irritation caused by insect bites and stinging plants like nettles. Just wet the stick and roll it over the affected area.

Portia

Medical devices including vaginal ring pessaries and pharmacy products are sold under our Portia brand. We manufacture two types of ring pessary – [1] soft and flexible using polyvinyl chloride and [2] harder and rigid using polyethylene. Both range in size from 50mm to 100mm, are designed for single-patient use and should be fitted by medical professionals. All pessaries should be checked at regular intervals and replaced at least every 12 months.