Tonsil washing: reviews, methods and features

In the article, we will consider what is the procedure for washing tonsils.

It helps to eliminate purulent plugs that occur against tonsillitis in a chronic form. It is not recommended to independently carry out such manipulations, since there is a possibility of damage to the tissue. The essence of the procedure is to remove the purulent contents from the tonsils by exposure to a water jet or vacuum suction.

Reviews on tonsil lavage will be presented at the end of the article.

Indications for this procedure

Human tonsils are small oval-shaped organs in the oral cavity. The structure of organs includes follicles, which are separated by connective tissue. On the outside of the tonsils are covered with mucous membrane, in which you can observe many gaps or indentations. It is believed that tonsils are designed to cleanse food, liquid and air, that is, everything that enters the oral cavity. In addition, lymphocytes, which are cells of the immune system, mature in the follicles. Coming to the surface of the recesses, protective cells neutralize harmful bacteria.

When the activity of immunity is reduced, lymphocytes cease to cope with their duties. In this case, an inflammatory process occurs in the gaps themselves. Purulent contents accumulate, which leads to the development of tonsillitis or tonsillitis in a chronic or acute course. In case of exacerbation, treatment is carried out with the help of antibiotics, local drugs and bed rest.

Chronic tonsillitis

If tonsillitis becomes chronic, lavage of tonsils is prescribed. This procedure is an alternative to surgical organ removal. It is recommended to carry it out several times a year to achieve the maximum therapeutic effect.

In addition, washing is recommended in the treatment of adenoids, which are a pathological increase in the pharyngeal tonsils. Depending on the degree of proliferation of adenoids, complete elimination of the paired organ or conservative treatment, including including washing, may be indicated.

Contraindications to washing

It is not recommended to wash the tonsils of the throat in the following conditions:

1. Infectious disease in the active stage. This can be not only inflammation of the tonsils, but also any process of a purulent nature in the oropharynx. The reason for refusing to carry out the procedure may even be caries. This is due to the fact that there is a high risk of the spread of harmful microorganisms to adjacent tissues and organs during the procedure.
2. Oncological diseases.
3. Pathology in the retina. Against the background of retinal detachment, any load can aggravate the disease, washing the lacunae is no exception.
4. The first and final trimester of pregnancy.
5. The presence of heart disease, damage to the blood vessels of the circulatory system in severe form.
6. Hypertension. The disease is not included in the category of absolute contraindications. The specialist independently determines the possibility of the procedure, depending on the condition of the patient.
7. Age is under three years.
8. An allergic reaction to drugs used in washing lacunae.

Vacuum washing is allowed against tonsillitis in the acute stage, but only in cases where the patient's condition is satisfactory.

Detailed description of this procedure

During the washing procedure, the specialist contacts directly with the gaps. A water stream or a special vacuum aspirator is directed at them. Thus, it is possible to extract purulent contents. Vacuum tonsil washing is the most popular.

Some doctors are of the opinion that this is more a preventive procedure than a therapeutic one. Others believe that regular lavage gradually leads to the restoration of the normal functioning of the tonsils. This helps to ensure that they begin to clean themselves, as it should be in good condition.

Before the procedure, the patient is recommended to take a smear for bacteriological culture. Material is taken from the nasal and throat cavities. The washing procedure, especially using an aspirator, can lead to the appearance of a gag reflex. To prevent vomiting, the patient is not recommended to drink or eat two hours before the procedure. Many clinics use local anesthetics to reduce the sensitivity of the treated area.

Severe pain

According to reviews, tonsil lavage in some patients causes severe pain. In this case, it is necessary to insist on the use of anesthetics during repeated procedures. The manipulation lasts about 30 seconds, but sometimes it reaches several minutes, depending on the extent of the damage to the gaps. In most cases, both tonsils need to be cleaned.

When washing, it is important to try to relax and breathe through the nose superficially. If the nasal passages are blocked, you need to use drugs with a vasoconstrictor effect. The course is prescribed by a doctor and, as a rule, is 5-10 procedures.

Consider other methods of washing tonsils.

Syringe rinse: in the clinic

This method is the most common today. In addition, the procedure is included in the list of free services provided under the compulsory health insurance program. Washing almond lacunae with a syringe can be done in a regular clinic.

The procedure is carried out using a syringe without a needle, on which a special cannula is put on, which is a curved tube. The nozzle is introduced into the gap and breaks the purulent plugs.

Processing is performed with an antiseptic solution, for example, furatsilinom or potassium permanganate. The liquid is poured into the lacunae, and then poured along with the contents of purulent plugs into the patient's oral cavity. The patient is invited to spit liquid in a cuvette. As a rule, such a lavage is prescribed for palatine tonsils, since pharyngeal tonsils are more inaccessible even for a curved tube.

After washing, the tonsils are treated with a solution of Lugol and Collargol. During the treatment of tonsillitis, the patient is not recommended to use solid foods that can scratch the delicate mucous membrane of the tonsils. Damage to the lacunae during the washing procedure or after it can lead to the spread of infectious pathogens or to the appearance of scar tissue, which reduces the efficiency of the tonsils.

Tonsil washing at home

Not everyone considers it necessary to consult a doctor. Many patients with tonsillitis in a chronic form find the tonsil lavage procedure simple and try to repeat it at home. Doing this categorically is not recommended, despite the fact that a special syringe and antiseptic solution can be found in every pharmacy. Experts warn against such independence, since it is quite difficult to ensure proper sterility at home. In addition, with independent washing of the gaps, you can cause injury to the mucous membrane and introduce infection into the wound.

The decision to wash the tonsils at home can be justified only in the case of a hopeless situation. In this case, you should remember a number of rules and recommendations:

1. To reduce the pain of the procedure and prevent the development of vomiting, the patient can be given ice cream or suck a piece of ice.
2. Tonsils are treated with an antiseptic before the procedure. The patient opens his mouth as wide as possible and sticks out his tongue.
3. A stream with a syringe antiseptic is directed to the areas of white plaque on the tonsils. The solution should be body temperature.
4. The patient carries out breathing through the nose.
5. The solution spits out every few seconds.
6. If the gag reflex is triggered, the procedure stops.
7. After the end of the manipulation, the patient rinses his mouth.

It should be borne in mind that even if all the rules are followed, washing at home is dangerous with possible complications and the spread of infection.

Tonsillor Flushing

Vacuum washing almond gaps has several advantages over other methods:

1. The purulent contents of the gaps are removed under the influence of ultrasonic waves. Thus, it is possible to achieve a deeper penetration of drugs into the tissues.
2. Vacuum washing makes it possible to thoroughly clean the lacunae.
3. Tonsillor for tonsil lavage is quite easy to use and the effectiveness of the procedure is less dependent on the qualifications of the specialist.
4. Pus on the sensitive surface of the mucous membrane or skin is excluded. This helps prevent the spread of the inflammatory process.

Before the procedure, the patient deviates in a chair and opens his mouth wide. The treated tonsil is anesthetized and a suction cup is attached to it. Under the influence of ultrasonic waves, purulent contents are cleaned with an antiseptic treated lacunae.

Pus is excreted using a special tube, does not come into contact with the patient's oral cavity. Then, within one minute, the tonsils are treated with an ozonated solution. This allows you to expand the gap and produce additional drainage. Among other things, ultrasound deactivates infectious agents.

The entire procedure for treating tonsils with the Tonsilor apparatus takes about 10 seconds, during which the patient is advised not to breathe. After the glass liquid in a special collection, the tonsils are treated with a medical solution. It can be an immunomodulatory, antihistamine or antiviral agent.

In some cases, after several procedures of washing the tonsil lacunae with the apparatus, the patient may experience an exacerbation of the disease. In this situation, you should take a break for a few days. Then resume washing.

Adverse reactions from the procedure

According to reviews of tonsil lavage, most often patients experience such side effects as damage to the epithelial layer, as well as irritation on the surface of the organs being treated. In this case, after completing the washings, it will be difficult for the patient to swallow, and solid foods will cause a feeling of discomfort.

Another side effect of washing the tonsil lacunae is an allergic reaction to the antiseptic solution that is used during the manipulation. This issue is resolved by replacing the antiseptic for subsequent procedures. An allergy can be either a local reaction and accompanied by redness of the mouth and swelling, as well as internal, manifested in the form of urticaria and rhinitis.

The consequence of washing can be the spread of infection. To avoid this, the procedure is not performed against the background of an exacerbation of an infectious disease. Together with the contents of the gaps, pathogenic microflora can penetrate the mucous membrane of the pharynx, mouth and respiratory tract.

In addition, after washing, there is a high risk of sinusitis and bronchitis, especially with an independent procedure. The risk of complications during processing using Tonsillor is minimal.

After washing the tonsils at the ENT or at home, the risk of exacerbation of chronic pathologies is not excluded. Some experts attribute this to a decrease in local immunity. Patients may experience a high temperature reaching 40 degrees, swelling of the lymph nodes, and pronounced general weakness. If such clinical manifestations are detected, treatment is interrupted until the patient's condition improves.

Tonsil Washing Reviews

This procedure is considered unpleasant, for many there is a gag reflex during its implementation. Nevertheless, patients in the reviews agree that washing almond lacunae is necessary for those who have tonsillitis or tonsillitis have become chronic.

Experts are also unanimous in the opinion that it is far from always worthwhile to surgically remove tonsils during the first exacerbation. They believe that with a regular wash course, success can be achieved in restoring organ function. It is an effective hygienic remedy for oral sanitation to prevent the development of infectious diseases.

Patients in the reviews emphasize that washing the lacunae of the tonsils with an apparatus or vacuum is somewhat more effective and safer. Some complain of mucosal damage after washing with a syringe; it was difficult for them to eat and drink for a while after the procedures. In general, the washing procedure is considered an effective and safe way to preserve tonsils with chronic tonsillitis or tonsillitis, it is only necessary to follow all the recommendations of a specialist.