The use of boric acid is already known to many from childhood. When we, returning home after the street, sat quietly with broken knees, the parents treated the next wound with this particular solution. Acid has always been an excellent antiseptic that has no taste, color or smell.
Story
With hydrochloric (or nitric) acid, boric acid is displaced from borax. At the end of the 19th century, the mouth of the chemist Jean Baptiste Dumas proclaimed boric acid as an antiseptic. Previously, any place in need of disinfection was treated with castor oil, but an unpleasant odor significantly reduced the demand for medicine. But the use of boric solution (just due to the colorless, tasteless and flavorless consistency) was able to reach the peak of popularity and lightning spread in the windows of pharmacies.
But who then could know that boron is a general cellular poisonous substance. And already in 1881 the first death from acid poisoning was officially recorded. As it turned out, boron, even in the smallest doses, is strictly contraindicated for children and women bearing a fetus. Therefore, boric acid treatment is carried out only strictly following the instructions, and under the supervision of doctors.
Composition and structure
The solution has its own formula for the mixture: H 3 BO 3 . The substance can be attributed to acids, but weak. Its natural composition consists of crystals in the form of scales, which have neither color (but in rare cases, slightly whitish is allowed), nor smell. The only thing crystals have is an antiseptic effect, equal to two percent, if not dissolved in water.
Boric acid: today
To date, a huge amount of research has been conducted on the solution. Thanks to them, toxicologists were able to prove to the whole world that boric acid is a dangerous poison for the human body, which can negatively affect the liver, kidneys and even mucous membranes. In addition, the drug is eliminated from the body for a very long time and is able to accumulate in human tissues. The period of elimination of half the dose is 12 hours through the kidneys, and the rest will come out in portions about 5-7 days. For a child’s fragile organism, boron is very dangerous, even fatal.
Therefore, the use of boric acid in order to avoid negative effects is carried out with extreme caution and as directed by a doctor. Note that with poisoning the body, the drug is able to damage brain cells. Despite some danger, the human body can get a lot of benefits, provided that boric acid is used correctly.
Product release form
Today, boric acid can be purchased at any pharmacy. The pharmacological market provides a tool in various forms:
- powder - white and sour taste, in packages of 10 and 25 g, as well as in banks (containers) of 40 g;
- liquid (alcohol and aqueous solutions) - is available in 15 and 40 ml bottles, as well as dropper bottles - 25 ml;
- ointment - packs of 25 and 30 g, it happens 5 or 10%.
Depending on the ailment and its therapy, a certain form of acid release is prescribed. Moreover, the application algorithm is also different, it all depends on the disease.
Boron application and dosage
Based on the instructions for use, boric acid is used for such diseases:
- eczema (dry and weeping);
- otitis;
- conjunctivitis;
- dermatitis;
- pyoderma;
- diaper rash;
- colpitis;
- pediculosis.
For example, with skin diseases alcohol boric acid is prescribed. She needs to moisten sterile swabs that treat the affected area of the skin. With alcohol solution, you can make various lotions.
Also, this substance is prescribed for otitis media. It is necessary to instill boric acid in the ear. A 0.5-3% treatment solution of 3-5 drops is instilled into each ear canal 2-3 times a day. The course of therapy is no more than 5 days.
With colpitis and diaper rash, a 10% solution is prescribed, which is prepared from powdered boric acid. They also treat the affected areas.
If you find such an ailment as pediculosis, then the medicine is prescribed in the form of an ointment. It must be applied once to the affected area of the scalp for 20-30 minutes. Then the medicine must be washed off with warm water.
Sometimes the drug can be prescribed during procedures that can only be performed by a specialist. For example, in the form of a powder, boric acid is usually prescribed in the ear for injection.
And with conjunctivitis, instilling acid in its pure form is by no means possible! For therapy, it is necessary to prepare a special medicinal solution, mixing with other components that only a specialist can prescribe.
It is strongly recommended that boric acid be used as prescribed by a doctor and strictly according to instructions. Only a specialist will be able to prescribe the form and regimen of the drug, as well as establish the duration of therapy in accordance with local symptoms.
Boric acid in cosmetology
The medicine has been widely used in the field of beauty. Boric acid is especially good for acne. Since the product has drying and disinfecting properties, it is also able to reduce the level of oily skin. All this helps in the fight against acne, just:
- wipe with boric aqueous solution (3%) oily areas;
- pinpoint with alcoholic solution inflamed areas - acne, acne.
And if the playful freckles are pretty tired, then daily wipe the entire face skin with an aqueous 3% solution, mixing it with henna (colorless). This will help get rid of dark spots and will even out the tone of the face. Use boric acid very carefully, despite the fact that the concentration of the substance is low. In general, in our time, many manufacturers of medicinal and cosmetic products specifically add acne and acne to the boric acid. In case of doubtful reaction from the body, immediately consult a doctor.
Other applications
By the way, boric acid is actively used not only in the fields of medicine and cosmetology. The tool also found itself in such unexpected areas:
- agriculture - it turned out that boron in the soil makes it possible to increase productivity, and also helps plants with diseases;
- jewelry making - boric acid acts as the basis of flux during soldering of various alloys;
- glass production - acid helps to achieve transparency, gloss, as well as thermal resistance, allows glass to acquire chemical resistance;
- metallurgy - boric acid helps reduce the melting point, increase the purity and strength of steel, reduce the destruction of materials;
- against insects - if cockroaches got into the house, then go bolder for boric acid.
Side effects of the drug
If the drug was used in doses significantly higher than recommended, then side effects will not take long. They are very strong and arise in a short period of time in the form of such reactions of the body:
- nausea, vomiting;
- confusion of consciousness;
- skin rash;
- headache;
- cramps
- diarrhea;
- kidney failure
- flaky exfoliation of the epithelium.
If an overdose of boron occurred in larger doses, then CNS depression, hypothermia, shock, painful rashes of a large area, coma are observed.
Prolonged use of boric acid can also cause a side effect in the form of chronic intoxication of the body. This condition is accompanied by convulsions, swelling of the soft tissues, stomatitis, eczema, exhaustion, anemia, baldness and a failure of the menstrual cycle in women.
Storage conditions and shelf life
Boric acid in any form of release can be purchased at a pharmacy without a prescription. Store the drug in a dark place at a temperature of 15-25 degrees. But out of reach of children. After the expiration date (see packaging), it is forbidden to use the drug. Expiration date: 3 years from the date of production.
Boric Acid Reviews
Like any remedy, boric acid has a double reputation: negative and positive. Many people attribute the tool to unsafe. Especially those who independently prescribed therapy. As a result, someone gets burns, someone experiences unpleasant side effects, such as vomiting, diarrhea, or terrible eczema. But here it’s clear: if there is no medical practice in therapy, then you should not self-medicate. Any drug with uncontrolled use can give an unexpected effect. It is always worth remembering that the human body is always purely individual. What is suitable for one may not be suitable for another.
However, the vast majority of people who have tested boric acid, characterize the product as excellent. Many confirm the effectiveness of the acid in the treatment of otitis media (already on the second day there is an improvement). Some, thanks to the medicine, were even able to cure nail fungus (for this it is necessary to purchase boric acid in powder).
Of course, it is impossible to keep silent about how many admire the effects of boric acid in the fight against acne and acne. There are practically no equal here. And if we mention the cost of the drug (from 7 to 15 rubles per bottle), then there is no way to find a budgetary means. The main thing, remember that all this is useful if used in moderation!