Among a large number of drugs there are those that have been used for a long time. But this does not mean that they are safe and effective. Some drugs are almost never used in medicine, because they have been replaced by more modern drugs. But ordinary people out of habit still use them. Such drugs include boric acid-based drugs. This is a familiar to many antiseptic and antiparasitic agent that is used externally. An alcohol solution, a special vaseline, and other ointments based on this substance are produced. The basis of all these products is boron powder. It is in this form that there is acid, which is used in addition to medicine in agriculture and industry.
general characteristics
Boron powder is a crystalline substance of white color. It is poorly soluble in cold water, better when heated. Therefore, alcoholic solutions of boric acid are most often used, where it retains all its properties. This substance has been widely used since the end of the 19th century, when its antiseptic properties were discovered. Then boron powder was used to treat wounds, treat diseases of the ears and eyes, remove corns and diaper rash. The aqueous solution of this substance had no taste and odor, did not irritate the skin. But since the end of the 20th century, the use of boric acid in medicine has been limited. After all, more effective and safe antiseptics have appeared, and an overdose of boric acid is dangerous, especially for children. Although ordinary people still out of habit often use drugs based on it.
Most often boric acid is produced in the form of a powder. Get it when mixing hydrochloric acid with borax. An odorless and tasteless white powder forms. In nature, this powder is found only in some salt lakes in Asia and America.
Boric Acid Release Forms
Some believe that boric alcohol, which is sold in pharmacies, is boric acid. But in fact, acid is a white powder, and alcohol is its alcohol solution. The substance itself in it is usually from 1 to 4%. In addition, boron ointment can be purchased at the pharmacy. This is a combination of acid and petroleum jelly 1:10. It is used for calluses, pediculosis, for the healing of certain wounds.
But most popular is boric acid in powder. Where to buy this tool, many are interested. Indeed, in this form it can be used not only for medicinal purposes, but also for the treatment of plants, for the destruction of insects and for other purposes. It is best to buy boron powder in a pharmacy. It is packaged in 10 and 20 grams, but it costs a bag at all not expensive - from 10 to 25 rubles. For household purposes, industrial boric acid can be purchased. Where such a product is sold, gardeners know, since it is bought in hardware stores among fertilizers and insecticides.
Action Features
Boric acid powder is valued for its antiseptic properties. But studies have shown that this substance also has anti-pedicular, antifungal, antiparasitic, fungistatic, astringent and weak antibacterial effects. Powder is applied in the form of solutions, ointments or powders only externally. It has a disinfecting effect in various diseases of the skin and mucous membranes. It is especially effective for otitis media, conjunctivitis, fungal diseases, thrush, pyoderma, pediculosis, eczema and dermatitis. The action is due to the fact that the main substance penetrates into pathogenic microorganisms and destroys their proteins.
What is boric acid used for?
This powder is better known as an external antiseptic for the treatment of skin integuments. It is used in the form of an aqueous or alcoholic solution, as well as in various ointments. It has antiseptic, antifungal and antiparasitic effects.
In addition, boron powder is widely used in agriculture and industry:
as a top dressing, it accelerates the appearance of ovaries and increases productivity;
included in many fertilizers;
protects wood from fungi and rot;
used in the manufacture of ceramics, fiberglass, enamels;
to kill insects.
Medical use
Until the middle of the 20th century, boric acid in any form was widely used for medical purposes. An aqueous solution of the powder was even treated on the eyes of newborns, the nipples of nursing mothers. But studies by scientists have determined that such use of boric acid can be dangerous, as its ingestion leads to poisoning. This remedy is especially difficult for young children. Instead of boric acid, more effective and safer products are now used.
A solution of boric acid is used in the treatment of various dermatological diseases. It is effective in eczema, diaper rash, dermatitis, pyoderma. It helps well with fungal diseases, pediculosis. The powder eliminates the smell in shoes and eliminates excessive sweating in the legs. With otitis media, the solution is dripped into the ear.
Instructions for use of boric acid in adults
Despite the fact that studies have proven the low effectiveness and toxicity of the drug, it is still used often. If you do it right, it will not do harm, but you should not use this substance often, since acid accumulates in the body. In addition, it can be used only by adults.
For treatment at home, you can purchase ready-made drugs: alcohol solution, ointments, boron vaseline. But it is best to buy boric acid in powder and make the solutions yourself. They acquire therapeutic properties when their concentration is from 2%. Most often it is recommended to prepare a solution of 3-4%. It is made on the basis of hot water. Half a teaspoon of powder is added to 100 ml. Acid does not dissolve well in cold water. You can also make an alcohol solution or mix it with petroleum jelly.
The powder is most often used in the form of an aqueous or alcoholic solution with a concentration of 2-4%. There are some features depending on the pathology:
with otitis or pain in the ear, instill 3 drops of the drug three times a day, the course of treatment is not more than a week;
from boric alcohol can make a compress on a sore ear;
rinse eyes with an aqueous solution for conjunctivitis;
dissolve 2-3 tablespoons of the powder in a small amount of warm water and make foot baths for fungal diseases of the feet;
for acne and acne, wipe the problem areas with a cotton pad soaked in boric alcohol.
Contraindications and side effects
Boron powder can be used only externally, in the form of solutions or mixtures. When ingested, this substance is toxic. Boric acid is excreted by the kidneys, but faster it is absorbed into the blood, penetrates the placental barrier. Therefore, if the work of the kidneys is disrupted, this substance accumulates in the body, which leads to poisoning. In addition, even external use is contraindicated in pregnancy and lactation. After all, boric acid solutions easily penetrate the skin and mucous membranes.
In addition, such funds are contraindicated in case of individual intolerance and acute inflammatory skin diseases. Do not use the substance if you need to process a large surface area of the skin or if there are ulcers and open wounds.
Even the correct external use of boric acid powder solutions can lead to side effects. In addition to allergic reactions, it can be nausea, vomiting, intestinal dysfunction. In addition, sometimes there are tissue edema, the development of eczema, depression of the central nervous system, anemia, convulsions, the development of a shock state.
Is it possible to use for children
For an adult, a lethal dose of boric acid is 5 to 20 grams, depending on how well the kidneys work. In children, the function of the kidneys is still imperfect, so they need a lower dose to get poisoned. Boric acid is especially dangerous for newborns. Therefore, since the end of the 20th century, this substance has been considered contraindicated in children. Poisoning with boric acid is difficult for them to suffer, convulsions develop, impaired urination, vomiting, the child falls into a coma. Deaths after the use of boric acid for children are also described, so now such treatment is prohibited.
Household use
Often people buy boric acid in powder to kill insects. It is especially effective against ants. The powder is poured onto the ant paths, and insects on the paws bring its crystals into the ant hill. The ingress of powder into the body of insects leads to convulsions and their death.
Boric acid in powder is also often used against cockroaches. This substance needs to enter the body of the insect with food, then it will lead to paralysis and death. To do this, make various baits, adding this powder to them. It has no smell and taste, so cockroaches eat such baits. To do this, the powder is mixed with raw or boiled yolk. You can also add boiled potatoes or vegetable oil. Balls need to be formed from the mixture and laid out in the places where insects congregate.