Along with a wide variety of ultramodern medicines in pharmacies, you can also find those that are familiar to us since childhood. Due to their quality, they are also successful in modern medical practice. One of these drugs is ichthyol ointment. You probably heard the first review of this miracle remedy from your mother or grandmother. In Soviet times, in all home medicine chests next to zelenka, mustard plasters, Zvezdochka balm and streptocide, a small jar of ichthyol proudly flaunted. She was always at hand - in case a pimple pops up or a wound fester. How did this black ointment gain such confidence in itself, what are the indications for its use, and how can Ihtiolk be replaced if it is not in the pharmacy?
Ichthyol
The active substance of the ointment is ichthyol (ichthammol). It is obtained by processing oil from oil shale, because the medicine has a specific smell of fuel oil. Do you know why ichthyol was named that way? In deep mountain deposits, the miners often met the remains of ancient marine inhabitants, fish and shellfish. The creators of the new substance did not philosophize slyly and named the substance in their honor - ichthyol (from the other Greek "ichthio" - "fish").
Ichthyol is added in a volume of 10 or 20% to petroleum jelly, and thus a medicine is obtained - ichthyol ointment. Reviews of the medicinal properties of the substance mentioned were received back in the distant 1880s - it was then that they began to use it in medicine. At that time, ichthyol treated all possible skin diseases, gout, rheumatism, mastitis. The substance disinfected, relieved pain and inflammation. It was used for sprains, bruises, they were treated for female and male diseases, migraines and even taken orally. Today, it is also included in a large number of medical and cosmetic preparations, and is also traditionally used to treat purulent wounds.
The properties
Today, as many years ago, ichthyol ointment is sold in every pharmacy. What is this medicine used for? Ichthyol has excellent disinfectant, anti-inflammatory and disinfecting properties, and also warms and relieves soreness. It is used for any skin problems: wounds, burns, eczema, streptoderma, erysipelas, promotes rapid healing of wounds and perfectly treats boils and purulent rashes. It is also effectively used for neuralgia, diseased joints and in the treatment of pelvic organs ichthyol ointment. The properties of this drug are unique in their own way. Ichthyol does not penetrate the blood, which means that it can be used even during pregnancy and lactation. But for small children, he is prescribed with caution.
For the treatment of wounds
Perhaps the most common of all that ichthyol ointment has ever received, reviews are those that speak of its indispensability in the treatment of purulent wounds, inflammation, frostbite, burns, boils and boils, trophic ulcers, etc. Ointment applied on the damaged area, quickly penetrates into the deeper layers of the skin. There, it destroys the protein compounds of microflora, eliminating the very cause of inflammation. Ichthyol also activates blood supply, and with the blood, oxygen also enters the wound. The problem area is quickly cleaned, tissue regeneration is activated. If you believe the reviews, after applying "ichthyol" from the wound there will not be even a hint of a scar. The method of applying ichthyol ointment for skin diseases is simple. It is necessary to apply the medicine on the problem area with a thin layer, cover it with a gauze cloth and fix it with adhesive tape. This dressing should be changed every 2-3 hours and each time apply a fresh layer of the drug. It is not recommended to rub the ointment into the skin.
In the treatment of rheumatism or joint pain, the drug is also applied in a small layer. Reviews say that the medicine relieves inflammation, swelling, pain and accelerates stagnant blood. Ichthyol ointment for abscesses is also good.
In urology and gynecology
The ointment considered by us has proved to be quite good in the treatment of diseases of the pelvic organs: hemorrhoids, anal fissures, prostatitis. Doctors say that the drug will help women with a number of diseases: salpingitis, oophoritis, bacterial vaginosis, erosion, metritis and endometritis, colpitis and a host of other pathologies. For treatment, rectal or vaginal suppositories, which contain ichthyol, or tampons, are used. To do this, glycerol and 20% ichthyol ointment are mixed in equal parts, and then the mixture is applied to a gauze swab. It is introduced inside and left overnight. Ichthyol relieves pain, relieves swelling and inflammation, restores blood flow and heals mucous membranes.
Cleanse the skin
People who constantly suffer from rashes and blackheads on the face will also help with ichthyol ointment. For what this tool is used, it is not difficult to guess - to eliminate acne. And how to use it in this case?
The drug is an antiseptic and perfectly fights skin infections, therefore it will be effective in a wide variety of pustular formations, acne (including deep subcutaneous), eczema, comedones. If a pimple has formed on your skin, apply a little product to its surface and leave for a couple of hours. Ichthyol ointment draws pus from the deep layers of the skin quickly enough. But if the abscess did not break, or it is large, then you can use the tool in the form of a compress for the night. Usually one or two procedures are enough. If the wound is freed from pus, then applying ichthyol ointment is no longer necessary.
Contraindications
There are certain limitations to the application. So, it is unacceptable to use ointments based on ichthyol simultaneously with other agents (in the same zone). Especially if they contain alkaloids, salts of heavy metals or iodine. It is not recommended to use the product for persons under 12 years of age. You should also wash your hands thoroughly after working with the drug to prevent it from getting inside. In some cases, individual intolerance may occur. If this happens, then therapy should be discontinued.
Side effects
For decades, ichthyol ointment has been well studied and tested by millions of people. Reviews almost always talk about the effectiveness of the medication. But, as experts say, in extremely rare cases, the patient may develop an allergic reaction. This mainly occurs with the uncontrolled and frequent use of the medication. Redness, itching, rash, or hives appear on the skin. The problem is solved by drug withdrawal. If the ointment is accidentally swallowed, then it is necessary to rinse the stomach and take enterosorbent.
Cost and form of issue
Another big plus is the cost of the drug. Ichthyol ointment, the price of which ranges from 15 to 40 rubles (many times cheaper than other means designed to deal with the same problems), is dispensed in any pharmacy without a prescription.
The drug may contain 10 or 20% ichthyol and is available in tubes, small glass or plastic jars. Keep “ichthyol” in a cool, dark place. Shelf life is 5 years.
Analogs
What to do if the drug in question is not in the pharmacy? Today, there are a number of products that have the same properties as ichthyol ointment.
Their price, by the way, varies within the same limits. Below we list the most famous and popular medicines.
Vishnevsky ointment - in its composition tar, castor oil and xeroform. The action is similar to ichthyol ointment. It treats trophic and varicose ulcers, it is used for psoriasis, pressure sores, frostbite and burns, lymphadenitis. An excellent antiseptic drug, effective for boils, abscesses, abscesses, carbuncles.
Fukortsin . The active substance is fuchsin. Disinfectant and antiseptic. It is prescribed for infectious and fungal infections of the skin and mucous membranes. Active in the treatment of eczema, mixed and oily seborrhea.
Methylene blue is an antiseptic. It is used to wash wounds and affected cavities. Effective in the treatment of many skin rashes (boils, pyoderma), with folliculitis, burns.
There are more expensive counterparts. For instance:
"Ilon" - disinfects and stops inflammatory processes. Used for boils, abscesses, carbuncles, hydradenitis and other diseases.
"Carboderm" - the active substance is urea. The drug is prescribed only for adults. It has proven itself in the treatment of many diseases, even such serious ones as ichthyosis, psoriasis, eczema, seborrhea and others.
"Sanguirythrin" - prescribed for long non-healing wounds, with infectious and fungal infections of the mucous membranes and skin. Used in gynecology, dentistry, surgery. Suitable for newborn babies.
"Etericide" - a solution intended for the treatment of complex infected wounds. It will help with burns, purulent inflammatory processes, trophic ulcers. Applied for disinfection with meningococcal infection.