Medicines used to disinfect medical devices, skin and mucous membranes are called antiseptics. Some only inhibit the reproduction of harmful microbes, others completely destroy all pathogenic bacteria. Moreover, such drugs are quite aggressive on the surface, so they must be diluted to be used as a disinfectant. Antiseptics for the throat for children also have a pronounced disinfecting property, but do not have a harmful effect on the delicate mucosa and act locally.
What do the funds consist of?
As a rule, all antiseptics have one active component, which has an antibacterial effect and is aimed at destroying or inhibiting the growth of bacteria on the mucous membranes of the throat. In addition, additional substances can be included that complement the therapeutic effect and have a softening effect. These include:
- essential oils needed to reduce pain;
- anti-inflammatory ingredients (herbal ingredients are often used);
- Vitamin C, which helps strengthen immunity;
- flavors and sweeteners to give the product a pleasant taste and aroma;
- dyes (usually natural).
An antiseptic for the throat for children is necessary to eliminate unpleasant symptoms, not only for colds, but also during medical procedures on the mucous membranes of the respiratory system.
The main indications for the appointment
Many different conditions may require the use of antibacterial drugs. An antiseptic for the throat for children can be recommended by a doctor in the following cases:
- For sore throat during laryngitis.
- If pharyngitis is detected.
- To destroy bacteria on the mucous membranes with angina.
- As part of a comprehensive treatment, as an additional tool for exacerbation of chronic tonsillitis.
- During medical manipulations on the oral mucosa.
- For the prevention of colds.
Local throat antiseptics for children can be purchased at the pharmacy without a prescription from a doctor. However, this circumstance leads to the fact that parents purchase drugs and do not consult about the treatment of the baby with a pediatrician. Of course, you can buy an antiseptic if it is necessary to eliminate the initial symptoms of a respiratory infection or as a prophylaxis of a throat disease in contact with the patient. In all other cases, before use, it is important to show the child to the doctor and use only the recommended drug. Experts know that, despite the fact that the antiseptic is not able to directly affect the virus, it prevents the development of complications in the form of bacterial pathology.
When are antiseptics not effective?
An antiseptic for the throat for children has a therapeutic effect only locally. If the bacteria have already penetrated deep into the body, the drug will not work. Such funds will not be effective in the following cases:
- when microbes penetrated the lymph and spread throughout the body;
- if bacteria multiply inside the mucosa.
In this case, the doctor will prescribe a general antibiotic therapy. But the following diseases serve as direct indications in the composition of complex treatment for the use of antiseptics:
- periodontal disease;
- stomatitis;
- gingivitis.
Contraindications
Local antiseptics for the throat do not penetrate deep into the body, and only a small part of their active components enter the systemic circulation. However, like any medication, such drugs have a number of contraindications that must be considered:
- an allergic reaction to any substance in the composition, or hypersensitivity to it;
- tablets and lozenges are not recommended for children under the age of three;
- the spray can cause bronchospasm in children, so up to three years this form is usually not prescribed.
It is always necessary to carefully read the instructions for the drug in order to avoid complications. But it is best to entrust the choice of an antiseptic for a child to a specialist.
Better call a doctor
Any antiseptic can cause only a local effect. In this regard, with progressive acute respiratory viral infections or acute respiratory infections, their use can have only a short-term effect. Often parents rely too much on sprays or pills, and thereby trigger the disease. It is important to adequately assess the situation on time and consult a doctor to adjust treatment in the following cases:
- if the baby’s temperature keeps above 38 degrees for more than three days;
- pustules appeared on the tonsils or a white coating is visible;
- rashes appeared on the skin;
- if, with the prescribed treatment, the infection goes lower and lower, which is confirmed by the appearance of pain behind the sternum, increasing cough and inability to take a deep breath;
- the baby has signs of shortness of breath;
- the child sweats a lot, he has severe weakness;
- with complaints of headache and muscle pain.
All of these symptoms can indicate complications during the usual course of acute respiratory viral infections or the addition of other pathologies that require the use of targeted antibiotics, expectorant drugs or antiviral medications.
What is fraught with self-medication?
Even the best antiseptic for the throat with self-administration can be used no more than three days. After this, it is important for parents to correctly assess the health of the child, and if his condition has clearly improved, then it is possible to use the chosen remedy for another two days, after which the baby should fully recover. If the condition only worsens, or remains unchanged, then you can not do without a visit to the doctor.
The erratic use of antiseptics leads to the appearance of flora on the mucosa that is resistant to local antibiotic therapy. Any specialist knows that such drugs affect only those microbes that multiply on the surface of the mucous membranes. Moreover, their action is very limited in time, because it is constantly washed off with saliva. As a result, those bacteria that survive become resistant to the antiseptics used and continue to multiply even more actively. Therefore, even using systemic antibiotics, it becomes difficult to get rid of the disease.
What are antiseptics?
All antiseptics differ in the form of release. In pharmacies you can purchase:
- sprays for irrigation of the throat mucosa;
- lozenges, lozenges or lozenges;
- rinse solutions;
- solutions for processing with a gauze swab.
Often the same drug is available in various forms, which is certainly convenient for the consumer. So, for children under the age of three, it is difficult to control the absorption of the candy and they simply gnaw or swallow it. Therefore, it is preferable for them to use solutions for local processing.
Review of the best drugs
In pharmacies, you can find a variety of tools for local disinfection of the mucosa. Which one to prefer in each case, the doctor should advise. However, the main focus of each of them is the removal of pathogenic bacteria from the mucosa. Therefore, we will further consider fixed assets, identify their characteristics and evaluate reviews.
Gramicidin-based products
The active substance gramicidin is composed of the following drugs:
- "Grammidine" - tablets;
- "Gramicidin C" - tablets;
- "Grammidine Neo" - tablets.
In fact, these are identical drugs, so their features can be considered together. As the reviews of doctors show, the remedies perfectly fight microbes locally. Often the scope is to treat not so much the throat as purulent wounds, abscesses and boils in the mouth.
Tablets are shown to dissolve 1-4 times a day, after which you can not drink and eat for 2 hours.
Spray "Bioparox"
The active substance is fusafungin, which is an antibiotic that acts locally. According to expert reviews, the effectiveness in the initial stages of an infectious disease is quite high.
When irrigating the oral cavity and nose, it has a pronounced antimicrobial effect. Parents claim that when using Bioparox, the child has a decreased discharge from the nose, and the signs of the inflammatory process are reduced. Suitable antiseptic for the throat for children 3 years of age and older.
Among contraindications, up to 2.5 years of age are distinguished.
The effectiveness of the drug against pneumococcal, staphylococcal and fungal infections is proven. However, parents note that when using the medicine, children complain of dry mouth, their mucous membrane may be irritated. In some cases, laryngospasm is fixed, therefore it is necessary to use it with caution and only for its intended purpose.
Application:
- children 2.5-11 years: 1 injection in each nostril or 2 injections in the mouth 4 times a day;
- people over 12 years: 2 injections in each nasal passage and 4 injections in the mouth 4 times a day.
Antiseptic for the throat for children 1 year old
Toddlers are not allowed to use throat sprays to prevent bronchospasm and choking. Therefore, for the treatment of the smallest doctors can recommend a soft shower "Aqualor Baby". The solution is intended for washing the pharynx and nasal passages. It can be used not only with ARVI, but also as daily hygiene. Antiseptic for the throat for children under 1 year of age "Aqualor Baby" has shown effectiveness in the complex treatment of such diseases:
- laryngitis;
- sinusitis;
- pharyngitis;
- rhinitis;
- gingivitis;
- periodontitis.
As the reviews of parents show, the tool acts gently and does not cause irritation of the delicate mucous membranes of the child. Moreover, the effectiveness is quite high when used in the initial stages of the disease or in combination with other drugs.
The tool is used 2-4 times a day. For children under 2 years of age, washing is performed while lying on their side.
Means for babies
It is sometimes difficult to choose an antiseptic for the throat for children 2 years old. Sprays, tablets and lozenges at this age are contraindicated.
In this case, the Aquamaris drug has proven itself well. It is possible to use it, even if the baby is not even two years old. Antiseptic for the throat for children 2 years of age and older - "Aquamaris Norm".
As studies and reviews of doctors show, the microelements of sea water that are part of the drug can stimulate local immunity and increase the baby's body's resistance to the effects of pathogenic microorganisms. Parents are usually satisfied with the prescribed treatment, the drug is well tolerated, does not cause side effects. However, the effectiveness is proved only at the initial stages of the disease, or it is necessary to use the drug in combination with another prescribed treatment.
Application:
- children under 7 years: 2 injections 2-4 times a day;
- children 7-18 years: 2 injections 4-6 times a day.
The popular "Tantum Verde"
Thanks to numerous advertisements, Tantum Verde is a very popular drug. An antiseptic is available for the throat in tablets and in the form of a spray. The active substance is benzidamine hydrochloride. According to doctors, the drug is able to have a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect, but its effectiveness has been proven only when the symptoms of the disease have been eliminated. Suitable antiseptic for the throat for children from 3 years. Among the contraindications, only the patient’s younger age and a possible allergic reaction are listed.
In pediatrics, this drug is widely used. Its active component is able to penetrate deep into the epithelium and affect bacteria from the inside. Parents also evaluated the effect of the drug. During use, inflammation decreases and overall body temperature decreases. In addition, as practice shows, the tool has some analgesic effect, which is important for angina. But it is worth considering that not all kids like the pronounced taste of the spray, and antiseptic tablets for the throat of children are allowed only from the age of four.
Application Features:
- children over 6 years: dissolve 1 tablet 3 times a day after meals;
children over 12 years: 4-8 injections 2-6 times a day after meals;
children aged 6 to 12 years: 4 injections 2-6 times a day after meals;
children aged 3 to 6 years: 1 injection for every 4 kg of body weight, but not more than 4 injections (maximum single dose) 2-6 times a day after meals.
The duration of treatment should not exceed 7 days. If after treatment within 7 days there is no improvement or new symptoms appear, the patient should consult a doctor.
Hexoral spray against pathogenic fungi and bacteria
Based on hexetidine, the popular Hexoral is produced. Also analogues are:
These antiseptics for the throat with angina are widely used because they have a pronounced antimicrobial effect. Doctors can prescribe a remedy not only for inflammatory diseases of the throat. The medication has found its application in dentistry when removing teeth, as well as with gingivitis and stomatitis. As practice shows, the spray has a powerful antibacterial effect and fights with coca bacillus.
According to parents, after using the drug in children the swelling of the throat quickly disappears, pain decreases and the intensity of the cough decreases. The main active ingredient practically does not penetrate into the systemic circulation, but has the ability to linger on inflamed mucous membranes for a long time.
When using severe side effects were not detected. However, children often complain of loss of appetite due to disturbances in taste. Vomiting may also occur if the dose of the drug is accidentally swallowed. In this regard, the tool is not recommended for use in children up to the age of eight.
Application:
- children from 6 years: 1 injection for 1-2 seconds 2 times a day, holding their breath;
- children 3-6 years: the dose is prescribed by a doctor.
Iodine solution "Lugol"
Our grandmothers also knew about the effectiveness of iodine solution, with the help of which they successfully treated children with sore throats. The pharmaceutical industry produces "Lugol" - an antiseptic for the throat (spray). It has a bacteriostatic and wound healing effect. The tool is quite popular, because its harmful effect on bacteria has been proven. In addition, the price is quite budget. In hospitals, iodine solution is still used to treat the throat even for the smallest patients.
However, the reviews of parents are not so clear. Once trying to use the tool, they are convinced that the children can not tolerate it. The point is a sharp taste, smell and a long burning sensation. In addition, many babies often vomit when using a spray.
Locally, the drug is used to treat the nasopharynx - for 2-3 months 2-3 times a week.
Affordable "Furacilin"
The drug is a characteristic yellow tablets. The active ingredient is furatsilin, which has an antimicrobial effect. Use an antiseptic to rinse the throat, while the tablets must be dissolved in water. It is also intended for the treatment of sinuses and purulent wounds.
Parents highly value an affordable and cheap drug. However, due to the fact that for the effectiveness of treatment it is necessary to carefully rinse a sore throat, the remedy is suitable only for those children who already know how to do this. The solution does not cause irritation, but its taste is not always to the liking of children. Among the contraindications, only individual intolerance is distinguished.
Application: 1 tablet is crushed and dissolved in 100 ml of water. This solution gargle.
Antiseptic with anti-inflammatory effect "Ingalipt"
Ingalipt is a low-cost and effective throat spray. According to the parents, he is able to quickly relieve pain at the site of inflammation and relieve discomfort. In this case, "Ingalipt" is designed to heal small wounds in the oral cavity and reduce the intensity of coughing.
The ingredients used clear the throat of plaque and at the same time soften the mucous membrane. The advantage is hypoallergenicity and a small number of side effects. However, this antiseptic for the throat is intended for children from 4 years old, because the spray can cause laryngospasm.
Apply the drug to children after 3-4 years old like this: 2-3 injections 3-4 times a day.
Antimicrobial "Miramistin"
A fairly well-known and often used antiseptic.Its scope is wide: from pediatrics to surgery and gynecology. In the treatment of children, it can be used in the treatment of purulent diseases of the larynx and sinuses. If an antiseptic is prescribed in combination with antibiotics, then the likelihood of a speedy recovery increases significantly.
Parents like the solution because it has no smell and taste. Children favorably allow to spray "Miramistin" in the throat and on damaged knees. Side effects are usually absent, but should only be used as part of a comprehensive treatment.
The dosage regimen is prescribed by the doctor in each individual case. The standard dosage is 3-4 injections 3 times a day.
Conclusion
Among the many antiseptics for the throat intended for children, each doctor chooses the most optimal option for the patient. Often, a well-proven drug can cause an individual allergic reaction or be completely useless. Therefore, only a pediatrician should prescribe such a drug on the basis of the diagnosis and general condition of the baby.