Expectant mothers need to carefully monitor their own health. After all, it is from them that the development and condition of the child in the womb depends. Most medications are prohibited during pregnancy. Therefore, the process of treating many viral diseases will be seriously complicated. The ideal way out of such a difficult situation is to prevent the disease. Strengthen the immune system and prevent possible infection with oxolin ointment, which has an antiviral effect.
Drug Release Form
The main active ingredient of the drug is oxolin. It is easily soluble in water and has a crystalline appearance. The second, additional, substance of the ointment is petroleum jelly, which forms its structure. The color of oxolinic ointment is yellowish. Sometimes a slight shade of pink may appear. The density of the drug depends on its concentration. The following types of drug are distinguished:
- 1%, 3% ointment for use on the skin.
- 0.5%, 0.25% ointment for use on the nasal mucosa.
When choosing an oxolin ointment during pregnancy, you need to consider that a medicine intended for use on the skin is in no way suitable for lubricating the mucous membrane in the nose. If you make a mistake and apply an ointment with a concentration of 1% or higher for the nose, severe irritation will appear, and too much dose of the active substance will penetrate the blood. The same applies to the use of 0.25 and 0.5% ointments. If applied to the skin, the desired effect cannot be achieved.
The principle of action of the drug
Thinking about whether it is possible to use oxolinic ointment during pregnancy, you need to know how this drug works. The effectiveness of this drug depends on the active substance of oxolin. It is it that prevents the penetration of a viral infection into the body. When applying oxolinic ointment to the mucosa, the pathogenic flora completely loses the possibility of further reproduction. If infection has already occurred, the medicine will stop its spread, and also reduce the effect of the pathogen on the body of a pregnant woman. Oxolinic ointment can resist adenovirus, herpes, and even flu.
Use of oxolinic ointment during pregnancy
Based on the opinion of most doctors, using oxolin ointment during pregnancy is not prohibited. However, this can only be done in case of urgent need. For example, during an epidemic of a viral infection or in contact with a patient. If there is an opportunity to increase the body's immune forces with folk remedies, then it is better to resort to them. This can be herbal and berry teas, natural honey, homemade jam, lemon and other fruits with a high content of ascorbic acid.
With the onset of the off-season, the likelihood of getting a cold or flu increases. Oxolinic ointment during pregnancy helps prevent infection with these ailments. It is during this period that it is necessary to use oxolinic ointment before each exit from the house. Especially if you mean visiting a public place. Pregnant women should not take potent medicines to fight infections, but they are allowed to prevent them from entering the body with oxolin ointment. She has no contraindications and does not give side effects, which is extremely important for the child and the condition of the future mother.
Instructions for use
During the off-season, an acute burst of colds or in contact with a patient, oxolinic ointment during pregnancy, you need to lubricate the mucous membrane of the nasal passages. This is especially recommended before visiting crowded places. The ointment is applied with the tip of a finger or a cotton swab. To process one nasal passage, you need a pea ointment. Its diameter should not exceed 5 mm. Do not take too much medicine. The tool is rubbed into the mucous membrane of the nasal passages slowly, in a neat and circular motion. After returning home, you need to wash your nostrils with warm water to get rid of the remnants of oxolinic ointment.
Healthy pregnant women who do not complain of reduced immunity can use oxolin ointment during pregnancy once a day, immediately before going out. With an epidemic and the acute spread of infectious diseases, the medicine is applied up to 3 times a day. The same dosage should be in contact with a sick person. If the expectant mother has a runny nose, before rubbing the ointment, you must carefully clean the nasal passages. This can be done with water or natural home-made solutions for washing the nose.
Rules for using ointment
To treat skin diseases, the ointment is applied to damaged areas no more than twice a day. The duration of the use of oxolinic ointment during pregnancy depends on the purpose and reason for its use. If treatment is necessary, the drug is applied within a week, and with prevention, you can increase this period to one month. Due to its strong antiviral effect, the medicine protects the expectant mother from many diseases of a viral nature. Of course, in order to protect herself from infection, a woman must use other means. For example, in contact with the patient, you need to use a disposable gauze bandage. Also, do not forget about the proper, balanced diet and the use of vitamin complexes for pregnant women.
When used externally, oxolin is ingested in small doses. The active substance of the drug is excreted by the kidneys during the day. Doctors recommend using oxolinic ointment with caution during early pregnancy. In the first trimester, it can harm the fetus. It was during this period that the embryo formed the formation of internal organs and vital systems. At this time, it is better not to visit public places and try to raise immunity with vitamins and proper nutrition.
Storage rules
The shelf life of this medicine is 2 years. When buying oxolinic ointment, you need to check the release date. An expired drug cannot be used. This is especially true for pregnant women. The ointment should be stored in the refrigerator. Manufacturers advise doing this at a temperature of 5 to 10 degrees Celsius.
Benefits of Using Oxolinic Ointment
This tool has an impressive list of benefits for use in an "interesting" position. Pregnant women can safely acquire oxolinic ointment due to its following properties:
- High efficiency in the fight against viral infections.
- The absence of contraindications and side effects.
- The drug provides local protection. After laying in the nasal passages, viruses cannot enter the body.
- Ease of use. You do not need to mix and warm anything - the ointment is squeezed out of the tube and immediately applied to the nasal mucosa.
- The medicine can be used both for the treatment of viral infection and for prevention.
Contraindications to the use of ointment
Instructions for use of the tool states that the risks during pregnancy are not defined. The composition is quite safe, but no studies on its use by pregnant women have been conducted. Therefore, it is not worth abusing the tool. Also, you can not use oxolinic ointment during pregnancy in the early stages. Numerous reviews of pregnant and already giving birth to women indicate that the tool is completely harmless if you use it in moderation in the second and third trimester.
The only contraindication is individual intolerance. It can be expressed by hypersensitivity, which often appears during pregnancy. This condition is characterized by redness, skin rash, burning sensation and itching. After a couple of hours after applying the ointment, they pass on their own. Oxolinic ointment can also not be used for allergy sufferers.
Analogs of means
If the use of oxolinic ointment during pregnancy is not possible, you can use its analogues. A similar composition have drugs such as Oksonaftilin and Tetraksolin. If oxolinic ointment does not fit due to individual intolerance or an allergic reaction, replacing these drugs will not be a good choice. The active substance in their composition is also oxolin. The following drugs are considered similar drugs with a different composition:
- Viferon. This medicine consists of recombinant human interferon. It is released in the form of ointment, gel, drops, as well as candles. By the mode of action, this medicine is significantly different from oxolinic ointment. It does not protect against viruses, but helps to fight them, activating the protective properties of the body. The drug is used for preventive purposes, as well as for the treatment of infections, including herpes.
- "Panavir". It is a gel made from plant materials. The medicine stimulates the production of natural interferon. It is used for preventive, therapeutic purposes, as well as for the treatment of many infections.
Before choosing a remedy for treatment or prevention during the period of bearing a child, it is necessary to consult a doctor. Pregnant women can’t pick their own medicines, even by reviews. Oxolinic ointment during pregnancy, although it is a harmless remedy, but its use must be approved by a doctor.
Reviews on the use of oxolin ointment
Numerous reviews of pregnant women create oxolinic ointment a good reputation. Expectant mothers note that this tool is always recommended by a gynecologist, which is already the basis for its acquisition. The ointment helped them protect themselves from being infected with viral infections. Used it most often before leaving the house. Women claim that even in severe colds it was possible to maintain health in order thanks to oxolinic ointment. She not only prevented the flu and the common cold, but also relieved herpetic eruptions, which often appear in the cold season.