Such an unpleasant symptom as a cough is familiar to everyone since childhood. There can be many reasons for this condition: the ingestion of pathogenic viruses and bacteria, allergies, mechanical irritation of the mucosa, bronchospasm, and others. One of the diseases causing a cough is tracheitis. Every year, new drugs appear in pharmacies to treat this disease. But many people prefer to use means proven over the years, for example, mustard plasters for tracheitis.
Tracheitis: features of the disease
Tracheitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the trachea. This pathology can have both an independent course and develop against the background of other diseases, for example, flu.
The causative agents of tracheitis:
- influenza or parainfluenza virus;
- rhinoviruses;
- bacterial or fungal infections;
- respiratory syncytial viral infection;
- allergens of various etiologies.
After contact with patients, in the presence of bad habits, especially smoking, in the case of working with hazardous substances or in conditions of constant hypothermia, a person is at risk of incidence of tracheitis.
Symptoms of pathology:
- dry cough;
- sore throat;
- hoarseness of voice;
- itching in the throat and trachea;
- general weakness;
- possible nausea;
- labored breathing;
- in children under 3 years of age, the course of the disease can be complicated by shortness of breath, whistling when breathing, bluish nasolabial triangle.
If the patient has any of the above symptoms, it is necessary to consult a doctor for competent treatment. But there are methods to alleviate the condition of the patient before a visit to the doctor. Many people who have experienced dry cough are interested in whether it is possible to put mustard plasters for tracheitis. The answer of the doctors is ambiguous: some believe that this safe remedy can stop an attack of a debilitating cough, while others warn of a possible spasm of the glottis due to inhalation of mustard vapor.
The benefits of the use of mustard in tracheitis
This method of treatment is referred to as physiotherapeutic, and many doctors consider it quite harmless. Its action is based on the irritating effect of mustard on the patient’s skin, which not only improves blood circulation and speeds up the healing process, but also distracts the body from frequent coughing attacks.
Useful effect of mustard plasters:
- improvement of blood microcirculation in the trachea;
- reducing the frequency of coughing;
- vasodilation at the site of application;
- getting rid of viruses thanks to the essential oils;
- strengthening local immunity;
- improving the penetration of nutrients.
In addition, doctors often turn to this method of treatment because of its relative harmlessness. The only problem when using this tool is the individual intolerance of its components, which can cause an allergic reaction and spasm of the glottis.
Method contraindications
Despite the safety of mustard plasters, it is not recommended to self-medicate, since even this method has a number of contraindications.
Contraindications for setting:
- lesions of the skin of any origin at the location of the application;
- pneumonia;
- tuberculosis;
- allergy to any substance that is part of the product;
- pregnancy and lactation;
- body hyperthermia;
- problems with the cardiovascular system;
- bronchial asthma;
- the presence of malignant neoplasms.
Neglect of these prohibitions on the use of the method can not only aggravate the current disease, but also cause more serious pathologies.
Application Rules
If there are no obvious contraindications and the attending physician approved the use of mustard plasters, you need to figure out where to put the mustard plasters for tracheitis.
Recommendations for use:
- Preheat the water to a temperature of 37-40 ° C.
- The procedure is performed lying on your back.
- Place mustard plasters in a prepared container with water for several minutes, make sure that the water completely covers the sheets.
- Get out the mustard plasters and wait for the excess fluid to drain.
- Put sheets on the patient’s chest, in some cases, mustard plasters can be placed with tracheitis on the side of the neck.
- Cover with a towel or any other dense cloth.
- Leave the patient with the application for 5-10 minutes, depending on age.
- After the specified time, remove the sheets, remove mustard residues from the skin, grease the place of application with cream.
- Stay in bed for half an hour to an hour.
Where mustard plasters for tracheitis are prohibited from:
- on the area of the heart;
- on the occipital part of the head;
- on the front of the neck, that is, on the area of the thyroid gland.
In no case should you use alcohol tinctures to remove product residues. If the patient experiences a severe burning sensation, it is permissible to put a thin sheet of paper or fabric under the mustard.
However, slight tingling is considered normal.
Pediatric Use
Adults often subject their body to various tests, self-medicating and using various folk methods. In the case of children, the use of a pediatrician is needed before using the most harmless means. So is it possible to use mustard plasters for tracheitis in children? Doctors respond positively.
Features of the use of mustard in childhood:
- Up to 7 years of age, it is necessary to use the product with extreme caution, constantly checking the reaction of the skin, since the child may not feel discomfort, but the skin may turn red;
- in order to avoid burns and severe irritation, it is advisable not to place the sheet directly on the skin, it is better to substitute paper under it or place it on the back side;
- the use of mustard plasters in newborns is not recommended;
- application time for children under 12 years old should not exceed 5 minutes;
- Before use, it is necessary to exclude all contraindications.
Criteria for choosing a quality product
To achieve the desired effect of mustard plasters during tracheitis, it is important not only to put them correctly, but also to choose a quality product in a pharmacy.
Characteristics of good mustard plasters:
- lack of extraneous odors;
- the mustard layer does not crumble, applied evenly;
- after immersion in water there is a pronounced smell of mustard.
If for some reason the patient does not trust pharmacy products, you can try to make this tool yourself.
Alternative to mustard plasters
Often the quality of products purchased in a pharmacy makes you wish for the best. Mustard plasters of dubious quality will not only not help get rid of cough, but can also cause a serious allergic reaction. To be sure of the properties of the product used, you can cook it yourself.
The technique of making mustard plasters at home:
- Prepare thick paper, sheets should be 8 by 10 cm.
- Make a mixture at the rate of 1 teaspoon of sunflower oil for 2 tablespoons of dry mustard. Dilute the resulting composition with water until a mushy mass forms.
- Spread the pulp on sheets of paper with a thin layer, wait until they dry.
- Use like pharmacy counterparts.
The resulting mustard leaves can have a more tangible effect, so it is recommended to reduce the duration of the application or pre-place the paper between the skin and mustard.
Treatment duration
Any therapy, even the safest, has its maximum duration. Mustard with tracheitis can be used no more than 5 days in a row, 2 procedures maximum daily.
In the intervals between applications, it is worth monitoring the patient's temperature regimen - he should not be too cold, so bed rest, warm socks and clothes are recommended.