The common cold is a disease that every person has to face from time to time, regardless of age or gender. And modern pharmaceutical companies offer a ton of drugs that can relieve symptoms. Today, many people are interested in questions about what the “Vicks Asset” drug (balm) is. Instructions for its use, as well as the composition and indications for use are described below.
What is included in the “Vicks Asset” preparation?
Balm is widely used in modern medicine to eliminate the main signs of colds. It is available in the form of a soft, slightly oily white ointment (sometimes with a yellowish tint) and a specific smell. Balm is a combination product and is used for external treatment.
100 grams of ointment contains the following components:
- 2.5 g of levomenthol;
- 5 g of turpentine oil ;
- 5 g camphor;
- 0.45 g of cedar oil;
- 0.25 g of thymol;
- soft white paraffin is used as the base.
This drug has an irritating effect. In addition, it acts as an antiseptic. Eucalyptus oil has some expectorant properties, so the use of balm helps to quickly remove sputum from the lungs. Reviews indicate that the medicine helps fight nasal congestion.
The effect of the balm lasts about eight hours. To date, there is no data on the pharmacokinetics of the drug. Nevertheless, there is reason to believe that when applied to the skin, the components of the drug hardly penetrate into the systemic circulation.
Indications for use of the drug
As already mentioned, the main indication for the use of the drug is a cold. Nasal congestion, severe runny nose, sore throat, dry cough - in these conditions, it is customary to use the Vicks Asset remedy - balm.
Ointment, however, is not recommended to be used arbitrarily. In any case, you should first consult a doctor who can diagnose the disease and draw up an optimal treatment regimen. The drug can be used only on the recommendation of a specialist or after consulting a doctor.
Means "Vicks Asset" (balm): instructions for use
This medicine, of course, can alleviate the condition of the patient. But how to apply “Vicks Asset” - balm? The instructions for use here are quite simple. A small amount of ointment should be applied with gentle massage movements to the skin. Practice shows that the greatest effect can be achieved by treating the skin of the neck, upper back and region above the sternum.
The procedure must be repeated two or three times a day. After skin treatment, it is best to wear loose clothing made from natural fabrics. For a quick recovery, it is advisable to carry out the procedure before bedtime. As for the daily dose, it is determined by the doctor. However, adults are not recommended to use more than 15 ml of ointment at a time. For children, the dose is lower - for one procedure, you can take no more than 5 ml.
Some other factors should be considered. In no case do you treat the skin with the preparation, since the skin is extremely sensitive here - this can cause a rash or swelling, as well as severe burning in the eyes.
Do not warm the ointment before the procedure . Also, after processing the skin, do not wrap yourself or apply a heating pad to the body. Do not allow the drug to enter the mucous membranes of the nose and eyes. If the ointment still gets into your eyes, immediately rinse them with plenty of clean running water.
The duration of such treatment is also determined by the doctor. But the drug is not recommended for use for more than 5-7 days.
Are there any contraindications?
Despite the fact that this medicine is considered almost harmless, not every patient can use it. First you need to mention the hypersensitivity - if you are allergic to any of the components of the medicine, you should not use it. In addition, ointment cannot be used to treat skin areas with open wounds, scratches and other mechanical damage.
Contraindications are also whooping cough, bronchial asthma and false croup. You can not use the ointment for people with a tendency to bronchus or laryngospasm. Do not use the medicine for people with emphysema, as well as for those patients whose cough is caused by smoking.
Do not use in the following case, “Vicks Asset” ointment. Balm for children under two years of age is a dangerous remedy. The drug is also not prescribed for pregnant and lactating women, since there is no information about its metabolism.
Are adverse reactions possible?
It is immediately worth noting that side effects are rarely recorded. Nevertheless, their appearance is possible, so you should familiarize yourself with the information below.
In some cases, irritation and redness appear on the treated skin areas. With increased sensitivity to any of the components, the appearance of edema, rash, itching and burning.
In some patients, skin treatment causes irritation of the mucous membranes of the eyes, which is accompanied by burning and increased lacrimation.
If you have any signs of deterioration, then you should consult a doctor - maybe you should not approach the drug "Vicks Asset". Fortunately, the balm has analogues, so it can be easily replaced. In particular, Bronchoton cream-balm, as well as Doctor Mom, are quite popular.
The drug "Vicks Asset" (balm): reviews
This medicine has a lot of valuable properties, which makes it indispensable in the treatment of colds. Reviews about the balm are mostly positive. Most patients notice significant improvement already 2-3 days after the start of treatment. The medicine really relieves congestion and facilitates nasal breathing, contributes to the disappearance of cough. This is precisely the effect that Vicks Asset provides. Balm instructions describe simply and clearly, which is also a positive quality. The disadvantages some buyers attribute only too high a price, which not everyone can afford.