Ointment from burns, skin inflammation, abscesses and other pathological conditions must be present in every medicine cabinet. After all, no one is safe from getting banal household injuries.
Why is ichthyol ointment needed? Reviews on the effectiveness of this tool will be presented below.
According to the instructions, the medication presented is used not only for the above conditions, but also for the treatment of hemorrhoids, boils, acne and even gynecological diseases.
Thus, we can conclude that this drug is a universal remedy.
The composition of the medication and its packaging
What components does ichthyol ointment contain? Reviews of patients and doctors will not give an answer to the question. You can get it only from the attached instructions.
The active ingredient of this tool is a substance such as ichthammol. Also, it includes medical vaseline in the proportions of 2: 8 for 20% ointment and 1: 9 for 10%.
Ichthyol ointment is available in polymer cans or an aluminum tube.
Pharmacology of the local drug
What is ichthyol ointment remarkable for ? The feedback of each consumer about this tool is subjective. Therefore, you should not trust such responses.
According to the instructions, the drug in question has a keratoplastic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and local anesthetic effect.
Operating principle
How does ichthyol ointment work? Instructions, reviews of experts report that the effectiveness of this drug is due to the presence of such an active substance as ichthammol.
With a direct effect on the skin and mucous membranes, the mentioned ingredient has a locally irritating effect on the sensitive endings of nerve fibers. Gradually, mild irritation is replaced by a decrease in the sensitivity of the latter. As a result of this, reflexes develop that alter trophic tissue.
It should also be noted that the active ingredient of the agent in question causes the denaturation of protein molecules.
The drug is absorbed into the skin and mucous membranes, has a positive effect on inflamed areas and subcutaneous layers (including in combination with alcohol).
It should be noted that the use of ointment helps to restore blood circulation, regulate the tone of blood vessels, improve metabolism and increase the elasticity of the skin.
The analgesic effect of the drug on the deep layers of soft tissues manifests itself several hours after the treatment of the painful area.
Features of a medicinal ointment
What properties does ichthyol ointment have? The use (reviews of this cream can be left by everyone) of this tool contributes to the following effects:
- Anesthesia and removal of inflammation. Ichtammol is able to inhibit the activity of lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase enzymes, which are actively involved in the decomposition of arachidonic acid. As a result of this effect, the formation of compounds, which are a powerful mediator of inflammation, is noticeably slowed down. Ichtammol also reduces the production of prostaglandins, reducing the intensity of pain.
- Antimycotic effect . Dermatophytes such as geophilic and bestial fungi (Microsporum gypseum and Microsporum canis) are highly sensitive to 0.2% ichthammol solutions, while drugs with a higher concentration of the active substance are used to destroy the activity of mold onychomycosis and candidiasis pathogens.
- Antibacterial effect. The medication in question is very effective against gram-positive bacteria, which, in fact, are the main and, perhaps, the only pathogens of infections that appear on the skin. In particular, ichthammol adversely affects Staphylococcus aureus and epidermal staphylococci, as well as group A streptococci.
Indications for use of ointment
Under what conditions is ichthyol ointment prescribed? Positive feedback about this remedy is most often left by those patients who used this remedy to treat skin diseases such as erysipelas, eczema, burns, abscesses and others. In addition, this medication is actively used for arthritis and neuralgia of an inflammatory or traumatic nature.
Is ichthyol ointment used in gynecology? Experts say that the drug in question is very effective not only in gynecological, but also in urological practice in the treatment of inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs (for example, prostatitis, parametritis and metritis, salpingitis, as well as a number of other pathological conditions).
It is impossible not to say that ichthyol ointment is often used when expanding hemorrhoidal veins. This use of the drug is due to its ability to eliminate painful manifestations and stop inflammation of the nodes, disinfect them, accelerate cell repair and tissue epithelization, helping to heal anal fissures.
After applying the medication to hemorrhoids, itching decreases, venous blood outflow is stimulated, blood circulation improves and discomfort in the anus is eliminated.
Contraindications to the use of an external agent
This drug has virtually no contraindications. According to the instructions, ichthyol ointment should not be used only if there is an allergic reaction to ichthyol and individual intolerance to the components.
Mode of application
The medication in question is used only for external therapy. A thin layer is applied to the skin and covered with a piece of gauze. Rubbing the ointment is not recommended.
After the procedure, wash your hands.
The duration of the course of therapy is determined by the doctor (depending on the clinic of the disease and the diagnosis). The instructions say that an adult can use ichthyol ointment three times a day.
Instructions and dosage
How is ichthyol ointment for acne used? Reviews of doctors say that for the treatment of rashes on the face, the drug is better to use in the form of masks. This method is well suited for patients with extensive acne.
The medicine is applied in a thick layer on the face, avoiding areas around the lips and eyes. In this state, the ointment is kept for two hours, and then removed by means of a cotton pad and rubbed on the face with cosmetic milk.
After the procedure, the area with rashes must be treated with cream or lotion, which includes salicylic acid.
It is advisable to make such a mask at least twice a week. Due to the fact that the drug has an unpleasant odor, it should be used before bedtime.
Using a medication from ordinary pimples, it is required to be precisely applied to the inflamed area and covered with a cotton swab. After 120 minutes, the remnants of the drug must be removed.
Ichthyol ointment also helps get rid of boils. Reviews about it in this regard are mostly positive, and ointment is applied to the inflamed gland in an amount of 2 g and is firmly fixed with a gauze napkin. A similar treatment is carried out every 10 hours.
How should ichthyol ointment be used in gynecological practice? In this case, the swab is thoroughly impregnated with a mixture consisting of the agent in question and a 10% glycerol solution. Then it is administered intravaginally twice a day.
Ichthyol ointment for hemorrhoids (reviews on the effectiveness of this drug are described below) is used both in pure form and in combination with glycerin.
If you have a burning sensation and pain, you should definitely consult a doctor. A specialist consultation is also necessary if two weeks after the start of treatment, positive dynamics are not observed.
Side effects
Ichthyol ointment extremely rarely causes adverse reactions. Sometimes, against the background of its use, the patient may experience skin rashes, itching, redness, and burning.
Ichthyol ointment: consumer and specialist review
Experts say that ichthyol ointment is a multifunctional remedy. This drug is actively used for eczema, abscesses, boils, and even acne.
Many women claim that this tool is simply indispensable in the fight against skin imperfections. It allows you to quickly eliminate inflammation, disinfect the affected area, reduce the size of acne and their pain, speed up the removal of purulent contents of pustules, remove peeling and visibly soften the skin.
The only drawback of this ointment, according to reviews, is its unpleasant smell.