In the article, we consider whether oxolin ointment can be used in newborns.
With the onset of cold weather, every mother wants to protect her child from a cold. Mothers of the smallest children are especially worried, constantly thinking about what means for the prevention of viral disease can be used.
Is oxolin ointment possible for newborns? This is a common question.
Some pediatricians recommend using it as part of the prevention of otolaryngology and influenza, which is also suitable for newborns. Before using it for kids, you need to dilute the product with baby cream or petroleum jelly will do. Further, the child is smeared not with the mucous membrane, but with the nasal wings. Apply the drug twice a day with epidemics of SARS, as well as if the patient already has a patient in the house. The possibility of using among newborns is argued that this drug has low absorption properties, and at the same time it is almost not absorbed.
Use for treatment and prevention
This tool is one of the most popular folk methods to combat colds, colds, and other problems that are associated with the ear-throat-nose.
Oxolinic ointment is often used not only for viral disease as a medicine, but also as a kind of means to increase immunity. Everyone is familiar with the widespread belief that if you anoint your nose with such a drug before going out, you can avoid the disease. True, is this ointment as useful and harmless as many people think? And is it worth it to use for young children?
Composition analysis
Before applying this or that medication, it is necessary to consider its composition. Based on the components of the drug, you can accurately find out exactly what effect this drug can produce on the body. The composition of the described ointment contains two important components: tetraoxotetrahydronaphthalene and petrolatum.
The first ingredient is inherently an irritant that causes a person to sneeze during the use of oxolinic ointment, it dries the mucous membrane, it makes it vulnerable and generally unhealthy. Sometimes dryness can even cause bleeding (especially in children and senior citizens).
Vaseline, on the contrary, moisturizes it, which actually complements the first component. True, petroleum jelly additionally makes the mucosa sticky, which allows dust particles to often stick to the nose. And sometimes not only the dust is retained, but also the causative agents of viral diseases.
Thus, we can conclude that to moisten the nasal mucosa, oxolinic ointment can also protect against viruses, but weakly. Proper nutrition, along with a good mood and a healthy sleep, will do the best with this.
Pharmacological action of ointment
The drug in question is endowed with antiviral activity, blocks the foci of binding of influenza pathogens, protecting cells from the penetration of pathogens. Against the background of application to the skin, about five percent of the drug is absorbed, and up to twenty on the mucous membranes. In the body, the drug does not cumulate in any way, excreted mainly by the kidneys throughout the day.
Is it possible to smear a newborn nose with oxolinic ointment, we learn further.
Indications
The drug is suitable for use in patients in the following cases:
- Against the background of the development of influenza or viral rhinitis.
- With dermatoses with a viral etiology, for example, against the background of vesicle simple or herpes zoster.
- In the case of molluscum contagiosum or herpetiform dermatitis.
- With scaly lichen.
- Against the background of viral eye lesions (including keratoconjunctivitis, keratitis and so on).
Contraindications
As contraindications, the instructions call only hypersensitivity. This must be considered before taking.
Is oxolin ointment possible for newborns?
It is worth saying that many pediatricians are very skeptical about its use as an antiviral agent for the treatment of newborns. Here's what they say:
- Such an ointment in most situations does not show a large antiviral effect.
- Babies have very delicate mucous membranes and skin, so the ointment can cause a burning sensation in the areas of application.
- Like any medication, this can cause allergic reactions in children. Is it possible to smear oxolinic ointment for a newborn child in advance.
- Vaseline is able to glue the villi in the nasal passage, which interferes with their general mobility, leading to a decrease in the body's resistance to airborne infections.
- This drug is still slightly absorbed (five percent through the skin, and another twenty mucous membranes, however, it does not cumulate in the body, excreted by the kidneys.)
Is it possible to smear oxolin ointment with a newborn? Each mother, after consulting with a doctor whom she trusts, must decide for herself whether to use it for the prevention of viral pathology or not. But it is best to prevent otolaryngological pathologies and flu to carry out climate control in the apartment, having acquired a hygrometer (moisture meter), a thermometer and, if necessary, also a humidifier. In the event that your baby will be in normal climatic conditions, then the viruses will not be scary to him. Even if he gets sick, he will easily suffer the disease, while acquiring strong immunity.
Is oxolin ointment possible for a newborn child, but it is better to check with your doctor.
Instruction manual
The medication in question is used, as a rule, nasally. As part of the prevention of influenza and the treatment of viral rhinitis with 0.25%, the wings of the nose are lubricated three times a day.
Use for children
We found out whether it is possible for a newborn to smear his nose with oxolinic ointment.
Mostly influenza infection occurs by drip. The virus enters the children's body through the nasal ducts. If the nose is lubricated with oxolinic ointment, then it will block the access of pathogens. Here are a few rules for using this tool:
- Apply the medicine to the babies inside the nostrils, but not too deeply.
- It is advisable to do this during flu outbreaks.
- Smear the child's nose twice a day.
In the event that the baby communicates with a large number of people, then it is better to use the tool four times a day. In the event that the ointment is too concentrated, and the baby bakes the nasal mucosa, the product should be diluted with baby cream or petroleum jelly.
Can oxolin ointment be used in newborns? The drug is not recommended for children up to a year. Young children are not yet able to breathe through their mouths, so if parents put too much on the baby’s nose, then serious breathing problems can occur. In addition, newborns receive all the components required to protect the body along with breast milk. As a rule, they do not need any additional funds.
Oxolinic ointment in pharmacies costs a penny, so mothers and fathers will not lose anything if they buy it in their medicine cabinet. It is best to use the agent in question in combination with other preventive manipulations in order to protect the child from a cold in the autumn and winter. Next, we find out what adverse reactions are possible if this drug is used.
Side effects
There may be a transient burning sensation in the area of application along with rhinorrhea. Dermatitis, as well as easily washable blue staining of the skin, are not excluded. Next, we consider the reviews of parents and find out what is the effectiveness of the described tool.
Reviews
On the Internet, people write that oxolin ointment for children and adults is a means familiar since the days of the USSR. It is noted that this is a simple, and at the same time safe, as well as a very cheap way to prevent flu and colds.
But parents emphasize that it is completely not worth relying on this tool at all, since it works well only in combination with other preventive methods. It is necessary not only to smear the child’s nose, but also to temper him, giving vitamins, cleaning and ventilating the room.
Thus, judging by the reviews, oxolinic ointment actually has a pronounced antiviral antimicrobial activity, helping the child's body to fight colds, nasal congestion, and the like. It also acts as an effective remedy for swelling of the mucosa. Ointment is relieved, but it is weak in the inflammatory process. Therefore, according to doctors, it can be used only in the initial stages of the disease, as well as in the framework of prevention. It also prevents the penetration of pathogens into the body and stops their further reproduction.
We examined whether oxolin ointment can be given to newborns.