It is no secret that children are most exposed to colds. Especially during the onset of cold, they begin to cough, snot and temperature appear, so they need to be treated in a timely manner. There are many drugs for the treatment of colds, but pediatricians often prescribe procedures using turpentine ointment. And without the recommendations of doctors, parents often resort to the use of this tool.
Turpentine ointment: use for children
The active ingredient in the drug is a natural substance - turpentine from gum. It is often used as a local remedy for grinding painful or affected areas with bronchitis, rheumatism, neuralgia, sciatica, lumbago, myositis.
Due to its analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, turpentine ointment for children is used for colds. The feet and the bronchial region are rubbed with it, which provides a warming effect. In addition, the ointment also has a distracting effect due to penetration through the epidermis to skin receptors and their subsequent irritation.
Turpentine ointment. Use for children: contraindications
The use of the drug is prohibited for severe ailments of the liver and kidneys, skin diseases. Another contraindication is hypersensitivity to the components of turpentine ointment, as a result of which the only side effect may occur - an allergic reaction. In other cases, the drug is completely safe.
Turpentine ointment: reviews
The instructions have a ban on the use of the drug for children 2-3 years of age, however, in-depth scientific studies studying the effect of ointment on the children's body have not been conducted. This pharmacists, being safe, do not recommend using it to treat babies. However, many pediatricians believe that the drug is much more effective and harmless than other ointments. Doctors have been confidently prescribing the drug to treat small patients for many years.
In addition, there are reviews of parents who resort to rubbing with turpentine ointment of their children and are satisfied with the result.
Turpentine ointment. Application for children: disadvantages
According to current opinion, modern turpentine ointment is produced not from natural raw materials, as it was before, but from chemical components. However, it is not possible to compare both drugs today. Of course, children's skin is particularly tender, the body of babies is very susceptible, and the use of turpentine can lead to burns and complications. As practice shows, allergic reactions to ointment in children are also not uncommon.
You should know that children under two years of age warming rubbing is contraindicated in general, they are fraught with danger. If such treatment has not been performed before, then it should be started only after medical consultation.
If, nevertheless, the decision to use turpentine ointment is made, then first you should do a test for an allergic reaction and monitor the child. When rubbing for the first time, it is better to dilute the ointment in half with a baby cream.
When turpentine ointment is prescribed, use for children should begin with the foot. It is more efficient and safer to start the procedure with legs and then putting on wool socks on them. Apply a small amount of ointment to a child’s skin in a very thin layer. In addition, it should be remembered that you can rub the baby only at normal body temperature, bypassing the region of the heart.
If it is difficult to decide on the use of the drug, then no one forbids spreading the child with lamb, goose or pork fat and warmly covering it after the procedure.