Ichthyol ointment is a remedy that our grandmothers used. This is an inexpensive drug that produces a simply amazing effect. Today we will find out how ichthyol ointment helps , with what diagnoses it is shown how to use it correctly. And also find out whether there are analogues of this tool, as well as what is its cost.
Pharmacology
Ichthyol ointment has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effects. It also produces an antipruritic effect. This tool helps to get rid of pathogenic streptococci and staphylococci, as well as yeast-like fungi. It eliminates skin itching, enhances the skin regeneration process, eliminates excessive peeling, and softens keratinization.
Release form and components of the product
Ichthyol ointment composition has the following: ichthyol - the main element, medical vaseline - additional. The product is sold in dark glass jars of 20, 25, 30 and 80 g or in special tubes.
Problems that a medicine can solve
What helps ichthyol ointment, not everyone knows. Those who are not aware of its use have no idea how many problems this tool can handle. So, ichthyol ointment is used in such cases:
- Frostbite or burns on the skin.
- Eczema.
- Diseases of the joints.
- Acne.
- Inflammatory processes on the skin, which are accompanied by the release of pus: phlegmon, boil, carbuncle, etc.
- Deep splinters.
- Problems of the genitourinary system: inflammation of the cervix, ovaries, fallopian tubes in women, as well as the prostate gland in men.
The use of drugs for the treatment of burns, eczema, frostbite
What helps ichthyol ointment, we have already found out. Now you need to consider how to use it correctly with superficial skin lesions. For this, a clean product is taken or it is diluted in equal proportions with glycerin. The resulting ointment should be applied to the affected area of the skin with an even thin layer, then carefully rub the area to be treated. After this, the sore spot needs to be covered with gauze folded in several layers, and then fix the bandage with an adhesive patch. The fabric should be changed every day.
How much ichthyol ointment needs to be taken in order for it to work? It all depends on the size of the affected area. For example, if there is a burn in the palm of one hand, then 4 g of the product will be enough.
Use of the drug for staphylococcal and streptococcal diseases
With these problems lotions are made with a tool such as ichthyol ointment. The use in abscesses is advisable to carry out by diluting this product with glycerin in equal proportions. The resulting ointment is applied to sore spots, and on top is covered with parchment paper and bandaged with a bandage. For a day, such a bandage needs to be changed at least 3 times.
Foreign body removal
You can also get rid of deep-seated splinters with the help of ichthyol ointment. You just need to apply a small amount of this tool to the place where the foreign body is located, and then stick it with adhesive tape. After 1-2 hours, you can safely remove the patch with a splinter, which during this time will come to the surface.
Solving gynecological problems
Tampons with ichthyol ointment help in the treatment of inflammation of the cervix, ovaries, and also the fallopian tubes. For this, a swab is taken, moistened in the above tool and placed in the vagina. This procedure needs to be done up to 3 times a day.
Problem skin treatment
Ichthyol ointment will certainly help get rid of acne, acne and red pustules. The use of acne from this remedy is justified: after just a few procedures, the skin will become even, smooth and beautiful. It is best to use ichthyol ointment at night, because it has a specific smell, which is difficult to get rid of. So, apply this tool as follows:
- Clean the area where the pimple has appeared. This can be done with the help of a special cosmetic product or by using ordinary toilet soap with water.
- Using a cotton swab, apply ointment to the cleaned area.
- Put a piece of polyethylene on top and fix it with adhesive tape.
- After 1 hour, you can wash off the product with warm water.
This manipulation should be repeated every other day until the problem goes away.
Getting rid of hemorrhoids
Treatment with ichthyol ointment also allows you to relieve inflammation, remove bleeding and prolapse of the internal venous nodes of the rectal plexus. For this, the area of the anus must be thoroughly washed and wiped dry. Then take ichthyol ointment and apply it with a thin layer in the area of the anus. Such manipulation can be carried out up to 3 times a day. It should be noted that with hemorrhoid cones it is forbidden to rub the ointment, because of this there is a risk of causing even greater injury. This remedy can be used until hemorrhoids and all its symptoms (pain and swelling) disappear.
special instructions
Ichthyol ointment, the composition of which was described above, is a safe product, so it can be used even during pregnancy and lactation. But, despite the harmlessness, it is important to follow some precautions anyway. So, avoid getting the drug in the eyes. Also, you can not take it inside. Ichthyol ointment is not intended to treat too deep wounds. In addition, the product is very difficult to wash, it can leave stains on clothing and furniture. Therefore, before treating them with affected areas of the skin, you need to cover them with some unnecessary towel or rag.
Is it possible to prescribe a remedy for babies?
Ichthyol ointment is not prescribed for children under 6 years of age, since the experience of its use in this group of patients is limited. The benefit is controversial, but the risk of getting ichthyol into the body through the mouth is quite high.
Cost
The price of the ointment depends on the manufacturer, on the volume of the jar, on the pharmacy. So, the cost of the drug ranges from 30 to 120 rubles. Ichthyol ointment can be found in any pharmacy. In order to buy this tool, you do not need to take a prescription from a doctor.
Drug storage
Ichthyol ointment, the indications for use of which are indicated in the instructions, is stored as a regular medical preparation. The optimal temperature for this medicine is no more than 20 degrees. You should also protect the drug from direct sunlight. An ideal place to store medicine is a home medicine cabinet or shelf on the refrigerator door. If all conditions are met, then the ointment can be used for more than 3 years. The expiration date of the drug should always be indicated on the package.
What can be replaced?
Ichthyol ointment analogues have the following: "Ichthyol", "Antiseptol", "Fitoval", "Biosept", "Manisoft", "Septol", "Etericide", "Levomekol", liniment according to Vishnevsky. Most often, the latter acts as a substitute.
Interaction with other medicines
Ichthyol ointment is incompatible with iodide salts, alkaloids. This drug enhances the effect of various sunscreens. Ichthyol ointment is incompatible with zinc oxides. Therefore, if photoprotective therapy is carried out, ichthyol cannot be used with other creams, which include zinc oxide.
If you make medicinal applications with ichthyol ointment with ethyl alcohol, glycerin or dimethyl sulfoxide, then in these cases the absorption of ichthyol is enhanced, and its penetration depth also increases. This, in turn, provides an even better effect.
Positive reviews
Those men and women who used ichthyol ointment mostly respond positively to it. So, people say that it helps very quickly, and also perfectly anesthetizes. Ichthyol ointment draws out pus, removes redness on the skin. Many people are happy with the result: the purulent rod without problems completely comes out the very next day after applying the drug. Also, the ointment will be an excellent tool for household burns, frostbite.
Price is another advantage of this drug. After all, ichthyol ointment is cheap, but the effect of it is amazing. The product is produced in the Russian Federation, as well as in Ukraine.
Negative opinions
About ichthyol ointment respond mostly positively. But still there are people who were dissatisfied with this drug. True, their negative reviews are associated not with the action of the product, but with an unpleasant smell and the moment that the ointment often leaves traces on clothes, which are sometimes very difficult to remove. Indeed, this drug has a specific odor. And to remove things from this ointment is sometimes even impossible. In order not to spoil the bedding or your favorite sweater, before applying the product, you should put on yourself something that will not be a pity to stain.
In general, the result that the ichthyol ointment provides, covers all possible negative aspects of this drug. Therefore, you can close your eyes to such unpleasant moments.
Now you know how ichthyol ointment helps, and how to apply it correctly. This is a truly effective tool that can cope with various problems on the skin. From the way people respond to this ointment, we can conclude that it surpasses even the most expensive medications in action.