Mustard plasters have established themselves as an effective and affordable method of treatment of various diseases. Despite its simplicity, they have a therapeutic effect. The only condition is their correct formulation. The article will examine in detail how to put mustard plasters on your back in order to achieve maximum benefit. For the first time, their healing properties began to be applied in Rome and Ancient Greece several thousand years ago. Most often, mustard plasters are used for respiratory pathologies. They can be described as one of the simplest and most productive treatment options for colds.
What are mustard plasters?
Before you figure out how to put mustard plasters on your back, consider what it is. So, mustard is a medical product, consisting of a sheet of special paper that is evenly coated with a special grade of mustard, or a package consisting of porous bags containing mustard powder. On a laminated sheet of paper they contain four pieces.
In a quality product, the powder mass covering it adheres rather firmly to paper. When the mustard is wetted, a specific mustard smell appears in the water.
Mechanism of action
At the touch of the dermis with mustard, redness forms, and due to the expansion of blood vessels at this point, blood flow increases. In addition, the excitability of the sympathetic nervous system increases, and substances such as sympathine and adrenaline are concentrated in the blood. They provoke an increase in the protective functions of the individual's body. Such reactions occur in response to an irritant. Thus, the mustard plaster is inherently locally irritating and distracting. This is an excellent physiotherapeutic treatment at home, which is available to everyone.
Indications and method of use
In order to get the most benefit from using this product, it should be used as directed and know how to put mustard plasters on your back and other parts of the body. Doctors recommend mustard plasters in the following conditions:
- osteochondrosis;
- neuralgia;
- muscle pain;
- myositis;
- pneumonia;
- ARI;
- cardialgia;
- bronchitis;
- sprain;
- soft tissue injury.
This medical device is used only externally. If packaged mustard is used, then shake it first so that the powder is evenly distributed. Then immersed in water, preferably warm, and impose the porous side of the paper on the dermis. Press tightly, covered with a dry cloth, and incubated for two to fifteen minutes, depending on age and individual sensitivity. After persistent redness appears, it is removed. The dermis is treated with a soft cloth, wiped dry and, if necessary, apply cream or petroleum jelly. A slight redness and a feeling of soreness in the place where the mustard was located may be present for several hours.
Contraindications and side effects
Do not use this medical device with:
- broken integrity of the skin;
- high sensitivity;
- the presence of blood in the sputum of blood;
- pathologies accompanied by temperature;
- cramps
- oncopathology;
- low body weight (exhaustion);
- with various diseases of the dermis - atopic dermatitis, eczema and others.
Of the adverse reactions, it is worth noting allergic manifestations, pain and severe burning.
The use of mustard for coughing in a child. Procedure Algorithm
This medical device has been successfully used for many decades to treat cough in children caused by colds. Let us consider in more detail how to put mustard plasters on the back when coughing small patients.
- Open the package, take the mustard plaster and lower it for a few seconds in a saucer with warm water.
- Apply to the skin of the back. If the baby is small, then first put cotton on the back, and mustard on it. You can use a special children's form of the product - "Gorchitsatron".
- Put a warm, dry towel on top and wrap it in a warm blanket.
- Hold for about five minutes. Next, remove and treat the reddened dermis with cream.
Such manipulations are carried out with any type of cough, with the exception of an allergic one, and they are especially effective when wet. However, there is one unpleasant moment - the procedure causes a feeling of pain caused by the irritating effect of mustard.
Mustard plasters for bronchitis
The location of the mustard plaster depends on the disease that hit the individual. For example, they are very useful in the treatment of bronchitis. However, they must be used correctly. Where to put mustard plasters on the back with this pathology? They are applied to the scapular region without affecting the spinal column. The technique for performing the manipulation is as follows.
- Lay the patient on a hard surface.
- To lower sheets or packages with mustard in water, the temperature of which is about 50 degrees, for several seconds.
- Attach them to the area of the shoulder blades and just below. Cover with a cloth and a warm blanket. You can also use plastic wrap for greater efficiency.
- Check the condition of the dermis every five minutes.
- If a severe burning sensation occurs, stop the procedure.
- Keep mustard plasters in an adult patient for about fifteen minutes.
- Remove products, clean skin with a damp and then dry cloth. Lubricate with cream.
After such a procedure, rest for two hours is recommended.
Can I put mustard plasters on my back?
The place where you can put mustard plaster depends on the disease. For example, with tracheitis it is placed on the chest, with laryngitis - on the front of the neck, and with bronchitis and pneumonia - on the back. Thus, before using this tool, you must clearly know your diagnosis. In addition, you must have the following information. With ailments of an inflammatory nature, they are put to bed, and in other cases time does not matter. Mustard plasters have a reflex effect - releasing essential oil, irritate nerve endings, warm the dermis.
In the subcutaneous layer, metabolic processes accelerate and blood flow increases. The same phenomena occur in organs connected by nerves to the dermis. This contributes to the resorption of inflammatory processes, pain relief. In order for the products to have the maximum effect, you need to know where to put the mustard plasters on your back. In the photo presented in the article, you can see their correct setting.
Where do mustard plasters put when coughing?
A particularly important role for getting rid of cough is played by the correct determination of the place of application of mustard plasters. They must be located where the bronchi and lungs are located. To reduce the symptoms of coughing and facilitate breathing, they are placed in the area of the shoulder blades and under them on both sides of the spine. Depicted in the photo, how to put mustard plasters on the back.
In addition, they must be placed on the chest below the clavicle by five centimeters. In one row, an adult can have no more than three, and a child can have no more than two medical devices. With a strong cough, to increase blood circulation, mustard plasters can also be applied to the soles of the feet and calf muscles.
Features of the use of mustard in children with cough
In addition to medicines, mustard plasters are used to treat cough. To warm children, mustard plasters are allowed to be used only from the age of three. To prevent burns of the baby’s delicate skin, a layer of gauze soaked in vegetable oil is placed under the mustard. In addition, it is very important to observe the time during which mustard must be on the child's body. Doctors recommend, depending on the age of the child, to keep him:
- 3 minutes from 3 to 5 years;
- 5 - from 5 to 7;
- 10 - from 7 to 9.
And starting from 9 to 16 years, time increases to a quarter of an hour. In order for the child not to feel fear, he must be prepared and reassured before the procedure, and turned into a game. With a very strong burning, mustard plasters take off before the allotted time. It is best to warm up before going to bed so that then the child stays in bed. The procedure is carried out once a day, and the course of treatment does not exceed five days.
Features of the use of mustard in adults
When using mustard plasters in adults, you need to pay attention to the following points:
- Do not drink alcohol three hours before heating.
- During the treatment period, coughing should be abandoned or smoking should be significantly limited.
- Mustard plasters put directly on the skin and hold them for a third of an hour.
- After warming up, observe bed rest for two hours.
- Use the procedure only once a day.
The course of treatment in adults lasts 10 days.
How to put mustard plasters?
Although mustard plasters have been used for warming for a very long time, not all young mothers know how to do this. The following is the procedure for putting mustard plasters on your back and chest:
- Before applying it to the body, it is dipped for five seconds in warm water, the temperature of which is 50 degrees.
- Then carefully put on the chosen place and smooth, so that the mustard powder is evenly distributed.
- After applying all the mustard plasters, the patient is wrapped in a warm scarf and carefully laid on his back.
- Top cover with a warm blanket.
- After removing the mustard plasters, they wipe the skin with a moist warm towel and grease with a greasy cream.
- The patient remains in bed, covered with a blanket, for at least two hours.
Mustard must be removed carefully so as not to damage the skin. For maximum benefit after the procedure, the patient is given warm tea with milk, raspberries or honey.
How to put mustard on sensitive skin?
Do adults with sensitive skin have mustard plasters on their backs? Yes, if you have a cough and with sensitive dermis, you can put mustard. But at the same time, it is necessary to reduce the retention time. To avoid irritation, mustard is removed immediately after redness of the skin. In addition, under it is allowed to put a layer of gauze bandage. After completing the procedure, gently wipe the skin with a damp, clean cloth and be sure to lubricate with a softening cream.
Conclusion
Mustard has a locally irritating and warming effect, and they are often used for coughing to increase blood flow to the bronchi. Therefore, how to put mustard plasters on his back, everyone should know and be able to, especially young mothers with small children.