The ointment, uniform in composition, has a dark brown color and a characteristic odor, contains the active substance ichthammol and has antiseptic and disinfectant properties. This medicine is obtained from resins that are formed in the process of gasification and semi-coking of oil shale, it is called ichthyol ointment. The instruction contains information on the content of the active substance: the ointment can be produced with a concentration of 10%, 20% or 30% ichthyol (an auxiliary substance of the drug is petrolatum). It has antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, keratolytic, analgesic (local) effects. Antimicrobial properties of the drug are predetermined by the presence of sulfur. When applied to the wound, vasoconstriction occurs, decreased fluid secretion and accelerated regeneration of damaged tissues.
It is used externally for skin treatment (burns, wounds, eczema, dermatitis, furunculosis, pyoderma), arthritis, neuralgia, tendovaginitis, bursitis, mastitis. The duration of treatment depends on the nature of the disease and symptoms. Sometimes, up to 14 days, ichthyol ointment should be regularly used. The instructions and the doctor determine the procedure. Usually it is applied to external, exposed areas of the skin with a thin layer once or twice a day. For one application, the amount of ointment depends on the size of the affected area. Before applying the ointment, the skin area is cleaned of mechanical impurities, residual fluid and other things. Side effects from the action of the drug have not been identified.
Depending on the nature of the disease, a method is selected by which ichthyol ointment is applied to the affected areas. The instruction recommends it to be applied externally in the form of pads at a concentration of ichthyol equal to 10% or 20%, as well as for rubbing in a mixture with water-alcohol lotions and glycerin. For inflammation of the uterus, the peritoneal space, prostatitis, inflammation of the fallopian tubes and other inflammatory pelvic diseases, candles or tampons with ichthyol ointment soaked in 10% solution of ichthyol in glycerin are used. Tampons or suppositories are administered after spontaneous cleansing of the intestines or cleansing enema.
To exclude the ineffective use of the drug, it is necessary to be guided by the recommendations of a doctor who will indicate how ichthyol ointment should be used. Instructions and medical advice will help to eliminate the risks of drug incompatibility with solutions from iodide salts, heavy metal salts , alkaloids. You also need to first identify if the patient has an increased sensitivity (allergy) to the active substance or excipients of the drug. It should be used with caution: avoid contact with the mucous membranes, with prolonged use, avoid possible skin irritation at the places of application of the ointment. In any emergency, consult with medical personnel.
Usually, the ointment (despite the fact that many modern expensive drugs have now appeared) is contained in a home medicine cabinet and is an ambulance for deep cuts, splintering, burns or insect bites, accompanied by edema. In addition, with a rash or breathing problems, ichthyol ointment is also used. The instructions contain warnings about the possibility of unusual reactions. Gardeners often use ichthyol ointment for hands or feet at the injection sites with thorns of raspberries, blackberries and rose bushes. Since the spikes are difficult to remove with tweezers, these places are lubricated with ointment. Boils caused by a bacterial infection can also be treated with ointment, but if this remedy does not help, then it is better to consult a doctor.
The ointment helps to relieve pain and swelling with wasp stings, this procedure can be repeated if necessary, but you should be aware of the danger of allergic reactions as a result of insect bites, so you need to consult a specialist. Today, another use of the drug is known: ichthyol ointment for acne is used. The popularity of this method of treating acne is explained by the fact that the drug is inexpensive, and the method of its application is simple. A thin layer of ointment is applied to the inflamed areas of washed and dried skin. Stand for two hours and rinse with warm water, preferably with soap containing ichthyol. Repeat the procedure twice a day. You can apply a swab moistened with ointment at night and fix it with a band-aid. In the morning this place should be disinfected. Since the ointment can stain clothes, it is always necessary to exclude the contact of the dressing covering the affected area with the clothes.