Chlorhexidine ("Chlorhexidine bigluconate") is one of the most popular gargles in the whole spectrum of diseases of an infectious, viral nature. Its fame is determined by availability and proven performance over decades. However, it is not clear to everyone how to dilute Chlorhexidine for rinsing. In the article we will present in detail the instructions for preparing the solution for adults and children, indications for use, analogues of the drug, recommendations for more effective use.
Product Feature
Chlorhexidine, by its nature, is a universal antiseptic. It was first synthesized at the beginning of the last century in the UK. Since then, it has been the leading disinfectant for the external treatment of the skin, as well as medical instruments. Widely distributed in surgical practice. In addition to an independent drug, it is part of many drugs - antiseptic, promoting skin regeneration and so on.
Chlorhexidine Bigluconate is produced by dozens of Russian enterprises only. In fact, there is no difference in their products. The tool differs only in its concentration. In this format, it can be presented in five variations:
- 0.05%.
- 0.2%.
- 0.5%.
- one %.
- 5 %.
What do these numbers mean? For example, in 100 ml of a solution of "Chlorhexidine" five percent concentration (5%) contains 5 ml of the active substance.
The composition of the chlorhexidine preparations is identical. These are just two elements:
- Purified Drinking Water.
- Component - chlorhexidine bigluconate.
The release form is a solution in bubbles (plastic, glass) of various volumes. Most common in pharmacies are 100-500 ml containers. Especially for medical institutions, bottles of 2 l or more are produced.
How is Chlorgesidin used? What is it used for? The scope of its application is wide. If you buy the drug specifically for rinsing, then it is better to stop at a solution of 0.05% concentration.
Release Forms
"Chlorhexidine" with angina is not only the basis for the preparation of a rinse. The same component can be found in the composition and other effective means. These drugs can be prescribed not only for acute viral and respiratory diseases:
- Dental gels. This is Metrogil, Metrodent, Dent, and so on.
- Sprays and tablets indicated for diseases of the nasopharynx and throat are Drill, Anti-angina, Sebidin, etc.
- Creams used for wound healing - Pantoderm, Depantenol.
- Corticosteroid anti-inflammatory gel products. For example, Bemilon.
- Sprays and gels with a mild analgesic effect - "Lidocaine", "Instillagel" and so on.
Rinse Indications
What ailments are prescribed "Chlorhexidine"? What does the remedy save from? If we go to the rinse, then this variation is indicated for the following diseases:
How does the remedy work?
"Chlorhexidine" for sore throat and other diseases characteristic of oropharyngeal inflammation is one of the most effective drugs. It's all about its bactericidal and fungicidal effect.
The benefits of the drug have been confirmed in the laboratory. For the experiment, they took the usual 0.05% solution of the drug. The tests were carried out at room temperature (+22 ° C).
The result was as follows:
- The death of bacteria - after 1 minute of exposure.
- The death of fungal organisms - after 10 minutes of exposure.
Moreover, it is noted that with increasing ambient temperature, the effectiveness of the solution begins to increase. For example, already at 40-50 degrees (the temperature of the liquid at which a comfortable rinse of the oropharynx is possible), the exposure time is almost halved!
So, it is enough to hold the solution in the mouth for about 30 seconds to eliminate all harmful microorganisms living there. And how to achieve fungicidal effects (against fungal creatures)? After the procedure, it is important to refrain from drinking and having a snack for some time.
Before rinsing
The reader will soon learn how to dilute Chlorhexidine Rinse. It is equally important to properly prepare for the procedure - this will increase the effect of using the product.
The preliminary steps are simple:
- Before using Chlorhexidine, rinse your mouth and throat with plain water. But it is better to refuse salty and soda solutions! The pH of the medium in this case increases. Under such conditions, chlorhexidine bigluconate precipitates. And this makes rinsing more palpable and even painful for you.
- The instructions for the solutions say that instead of rinsing, you can brush your teeth. Specialists consider this preparation more effective, since Chlorhexidine is more intense in a slightly alkaline (pH 7-8) or neutral (pH 5-7) environment. Do not use hard tap water for preliminary hygiene. It will reduce the beneficial bactericidal properties of Chlorhexidine.
Use of 0.05% solution
Instructions for use "Chlorhexidine" rinse is quite simple:
- Pour the desired volume of solution from a bottle into a special cup or other convenient container.
- Sip a small amount of the product and keep in your mouth.
- Tilt your head back and start the procedure, preventing the fluid from dropping down the esophagus.
- Tilt your head, tilt it deeper, return to its original position. This is done so that the drug covers all the walls of the oropharynx.
- To manifest the effect, it is enough to rinse with one such portion of the solution for thirty seconds.
- Spit it out - you should not swallow it.
The recommended number of rinses (half a minute) is about three times a day.
How to breed "Chlorhexidine"?
So, breeding does not require only a preparation of 0.05% concentration. It can be used for rinsing immediately, which is why we recommend purchasing this type of product.
And if you bought a drug with a higher percentage of chlorhexidine bigluconate, then it must be additionally diluted with water before use. This is done not "by eye", but in compliance with certain proportions.
How to dilute Chlorhexidine Rinse:
- 0.2% concentration. Dilution with water in a proportion of one to four (one part of "Chlorhexidine" into four parts of water).
- 0.5% concentration. Dilution with water in a proportion of one to ten.
- 1% concentration. Dilution with water in a proportion of one to twenty.
- 5% concentration. How to dilute "Chlorhexidine" 5%? Dilution with water in a proportion of one to one hundred.
How to breed "Chlorhexidine" for a child? Observe the same water-drug ratios as described above.
It is important not only not to exceed the percentage of chlorhexidine bigluconate in water (this can lead to burns of the mucous membranes of the oropharynx), but also not to prepare a too weak solution. It will be less effective, will not have the proper effect on microbes.
Features of the procedure for children
As a rinse for children, Chlorhexidine is an indispensable tool. Note that for babies, as well as for adults, the 0.05% concentration of the solution will remain the lowest. It does not make sense to reduce it, otherwise, to obtain the effect, it will be necessary to increase the exposure time of the agent.
The instruction for the drug informs us that young age alone is not a contraindication to use. However, parents should be aware that the solution is bitter in taste, during the procedure it can cause a burning sensation in the mouth and throat.
Most of the guys calmly endure this procedure. The other part of the children is sensitive to the described unpleasant effects.
The frequency of rinsing is the same as for adults, two to three times a day. With a solution of 0.05% concentration, the oropharynx should also be treated for half a minute. The parent needs to ensure that the child does not accidentally swallow the product during the procedure. To prevent this, you can replace the rinse for young children with throat treatment "Chlorhexidine" in the form of a spray.
Rinse instructions for children
Parents now know how to dilute Chlorhexidine to rinse the baby. Then it is important to follow a certain sequence of actions for greater efficiency of the procedure:
- Do I need to breed Chlorhexidine for rinsing? If this is a ready-made 0.05% solution, then no. If the drug is in a higher concentration, then it is diluted with water in the proportions indicated by us above.
- Pour 15 ml of solution. For convenience, you can use a measuring cup. A tablespoon can replace it if you know its volume.
- The child should gargle with a means, with his head slightly tilted back, looking up. While exhaling, he makes any vowel sound. Be sure to show the child how to do this. If the baby is too small, it is better to refuse rinsing - he can easily choke.
- The procedure, as well as for adults, is 30 seconds.
- The solution must be spat out completely.
After the procedure, it is not recommended to drink and eat for two hours. It is best to rinse in the morning after breakfast and before bedtime in the evening.
Are pregnant women allowed to rinse?
Pregnancy is not a contraindication for the use of Chlorhexidine solution for gargling. This substance is not absorbed by the mucous membranes of the mother.
It is not dangerous for the fetus and the woman accidentally swallowing a solution. Systemic absorption in this case will be so small that it will not have a negative effect on the child.
Features of application for various diseases
Most often, gargling is indicated with a solution of "Chlorhexidine" for angina. The medicine here is struggling with a large volume of pathogens. Moreover, the guide to the tool notes that bacterial resistance (addiction) does not develop to it.
When treating tonsillitis, it is also recommended to gargle with the drug at least three times a day. However, treatment should not be continued for more than a week - Chlorhexidine changes the color of tooth enamel, which we will talk about later. If it is necessary to continue the rinsing course, it is best to replace it with a similar drug.
Mouth rinse
The Chlorhexidine solution is effective not only for curing diseases affecting the oropharynx. It is also used for therapy, prevention of infectious diseases of the gums, oral cavity. This is a good antiseptic and wound healing agent after performing surgical operations in this location. The procedure will significantly improve the condition of a person with infectious lesions of the oral mucosa - gingivitis, stomatitis, etc.
Moreover, rinsing the mouth with "Chlorhexidine" is very useful for throat diseases. After all, a huge amount of bacteria enters the pharynx from the oral cavity.
How to breed "Chlorhexidine" for rinsing the mouth? In the same proportions as for the throat. Optimum will be 0.05% concentration. However, if the procedure does not bring the desired effect, then when rinsing the mouth, it is possible to increase the concentration of the solution to 0.2%.
How to dilute "Chlorhexidine" for rinsing the gums? Instructions for the procedure will be similar to those described above.
Side effects
Now you are familiar with the instructions for using "Chlorhexidine" for rinsing. You also need to know about some of the unpleasant effects of the drug:
- Darkening of tooth enamel. Note that the effect is temporary, but it can for a while deprive the smile of aesthetic appeal.
- The appearance of deposits on tooth enamel. This negative effect can be achieved only with frequent systemic use of rinses.
The use of the drug does not have a serious negative effect on human health and life. Cases of side effects are so unlikely that they are not even described in the instructions for Chlorhexidine. This is what made him the most common antiseptic.
Analogues of the drug
Chlorhexidine bigluconate is an active ingredient in more than just the drug of the same name. It is also part of similar drugs (in concentration, effectiveness, dosage, etc.), but produced under a different name. The complete analogues of “Chlorhexidine” in composition are “Amident” (0.15% concentration), “Hexicon” (0.005% concentration).
Also in pharmacies you can find analogues of "Chlorgesidin" on antiseptic properties. The composition, active substances of these drugs will be different. Briefly introduce them:
- Hydrogen peroxide. No comparative clinical studies of Chlorhexidine and peroxide were performed. However, practical experience says that chlorhexidine bigluconate is still better at managing ARVI rinses. However, hydrogen peroxide is more effective in purulent inflammation. It can also be used for hygienic rinsing in case of a sore throat. An important detail - it does not obscure tooth enamel, unlike Chlorhexidine.
- "Furacilin". Well-known, inexpensive and effective antiseptic. It is widely used both at home and in medical facilities. Available in several forms - alcohol and water solutions, tablets. The active substance of this drug is nitrofural. It has fungicidal properties (it fights against microorganisms-fungi) and bactericidal (fights against microorganisms-bacteria). Good as a rinse.
- Miramistin. Unlike all the drugs mentioned above, this one is not traditional, but an innovative antiseptic. Many manufacturers call Miramistin the best way to rinse your throat and mouth. This is confirmed by the antimicrobial characteristics of the drug. It is also worth noting the following advantages: it has no smell and taste, does not cause irritation of the mucous membrane and any unpleasant effects. But a significant minus: the cost of "Miramistin" is higher than the price of "Chlorhexidine" and other described means.
To summarize. "Chlorhexidine" is a highly effective budgetary antiseptic that fights a wide range of pathogens of diseases of the gums, throat, and oral cavity. Only one concentration of 0.05% is suitable for use. All the rest must be diluted with water to this. Among the negative aspects are burning, bitter taste, temporary darkening of tooth enamel (with prolonged use). In hypersensitive people, rinsing with Chlorhexidine can cause nausea and vomiting.