When dealing with colds, pepper patch is often used. This is a fairly common and effective tool. However, not everyone knows where to glue a pepper patch for a cold. But it depends on how quickly the effect of the treatment comes. In addition, it is always worth remembering contraindications, especially in use, for example, for children and pregnant women. In this article we will dwell on each of these questions in detail so that you know exactly how to use this tool correctly.
Proven medicine
Pepper plaster is a reliable tool that has long been proven to be effective. For example, it is able to quickly cope with a cough or other manifestations of a viral disease. It is important to figure out where to glue the pepper patch for colds, so that the effect comes as quickly as possible.
It is recommended to use it in combination with other drugs that will fight the cause of the disease. At the patch itself, first of all, the therapeutic effect is used as distracting procedures for various ailments.
The properties
In appearance, the pepper patch is similar to a cotton cloth that is soaked through with a healing substance. As the main active ingredients, extracts of belladonna, chilli pepper, pine rosin and arnica are used. Their content in the patch varies from 0.3-0.6% arnica and belladonna to 23% pine rosin.
It is worth noting that the patch is a dosage form intended exclusively for external use. It has a resorptive, reflex and local effect on the body, having the most dense consistency. When it is glued to the patient’s skin, it softens and begins to act due to the patient’s body temperature. In the pharmaceutical market, solid plasters (just pepper) are classified as well as liquid ones (for example, Furoplast skin glue).
In some cases, belladonna extract is also used in the recipe. Of great importance is the used medicinal base, which produces the main therapeutic effect. It contains up to 30% of wheat flour, about 20% of rubber, from 15 to 20% of anhydrous lanolin and from 2 to 24% of liquid paraffin.
A mixture of all these ingredients, coming into contact with human skin, is irritating. At the same time, it has an analgesic and warming effect. Natural components along with essential oils of medicinal herbs excite skin receptors, which leads to an active blood flow specifically to this area.
Increased blood circulation has a positive effect on the body. Due to this, the vessels expand, gas exchange improves, the flow of oxygen to the tissues is organized. At the same time, vital products are excreted from the body as quickly as possible, cells are updated at an increased rate. As a result, the body uses protective forces to combat this disease.
Indications for use
Before figuring out where you can glue a pepper patch for a cold, you should understand in which cases this tool will be most effective.
Pepper patch is especially good for diseases such as flu, whooping cough, acute respiratory viral infections, tracheitis and bronchitis. In most cases, the beneficial effect occurs when applying the patch with a dry cough of various nature. It also helps to remove phlegm from the body. In combination with other cough remedies, he is able to quickly normalize the body. Especially effective is its use in combination with warm milk.
It is important to pay attention to exactly which components are part of the patch that you plan to use. In certain patients, they can cause allergies. In this case, such treatment should be discarded. It must be remembered that even natural remedies have contraindications.
Contraindications
It is not recommended to use a pepper patch at elevated body temperature, individual intolerance to the individual components that make up its composition, and acute infectious diseases. In the latter case, it will be simply useless.
In addition, in the area of ​​gluing the patch should not be scratches, moles, irritations, birthmarks. This remedy is contraindicated in vegetovascular dystonia.
Children under 14 years of age can only be glued on under the supervision of a physician.
Allergy test
To determine if you are allergic to any of the components contained in the patch, you must pass the appropriate test. To do this, it is enough to glue a small fragment of the patch on the skin, and after a day to check whether any reaction has occurred. The main thing is not to glue the pepper patch for the test in the armpits, on the inside of the thighs and in the groin area. There are the most vulnerable areas of our skin. If after 24 hours there are no signs of irritation on the skin under the patch, you can safely use it in the treatment of colds.
In extreme cases, slight redness is considered acceptable. However, if itching, severe burning, spots on the skin, swelling or lacrimation appeared on the body, all this indicates that the body cannot perceive one of the components.
If after applying the test patch you have any discomfort or a fever, you should immediately remove it and treat the affected area with alcohol. After applying a small layer of petroleum jelly, which can remove the main negative symptoms.
How to apply?
Now let's figure out how to use a pepper patch for colds. Adults can use it as reflexology and by applying a whole sheet to a specific area of ​​the body.
Following the instructions for using a pepper patch for colds, it is glued to the patient’s back for a period of two to three days. Then it is changed to a new one. If redness occurs on the skin during this time, lubricate this area with a moisturizer.
The main thing to understand is that with this method of treatment, quick results should not be expected. In most cases, the cough disappears only after a couple of weeks. This will happen even if the disease that caused it is chronic.
Some experts adhere to an alternative point of view on where to glue a pepper patch for colds. In particular, they offer not only limited to the back. Also glue the pepper patch on the feet with a cold. The fact is that there are active points that help regulate the human respiratory system. Therefore, they glue pepper patch on the feet with a cold.
Separate pieces can also be placed on the upper and middle phalanges of the middle finger on both hands. It is believed that there are also areas that regulate the functioning of the nose and lungs. So this can help with a cold.
Finally, pepper patch is also used instead of mustard, sticking to the chest.
In the very first case, you should use a whole plate of pepper patch, which is glued to the back and chest on the sides of the spine. In this case, the zone of the heart should be avoided. With reflexology, it is enough to glue only its strips on the calf muscles. So you can remove the swelling of the larynx. For example, this treatment method helps with laryngotracheitis and croup.
To restore nasal breathing and improve blood circulation in the body, glue a pepper patch on the heels with a cold.
Adults
The standard procedure for using the patch for adults is as follows. First you need to thoroughly cleanse the skin with a means containing alcohol. After that, remove the protective film from one edge of the patch.
Fix it with the sticky side on the skin, and then continue to gradually remove the remaining film, sticking it whole. After removing the patch in a day, treat the skin with alcohol at this place and lubricate with a moisturizer.
Note that even though the patch is effective for two days, as a rule, it is removed the next day. As long as you have a pepper patch, you can wash yourself freely because it has a waterproof surface. If after several procedures you do not feel any improvement, you should abandon this method and try something else.
For children
Doctors do not agree on whether pepper patch is effective in treating children. They agree only in the opinion that it cannot be used with a significant deterioration in the patient's condition. In such a situation, it can only lead to an activation of the inflammatory process, recovery will be delayed.
Typically, a pepper patch for colds is glued to the child when he is already recovering. At this point, it is important to intensify blood circulation in the lungs, which were affected by the inflammatory process, using distracting therapy. The main thing is to consult a pediatrician before this, so as not to harm the baby.
In some cases, after consulting with a doctor, a patch is glued to children from three years old on the soles of their feet.
Pregnant
Special recommendations where to glue pepper patch for colds should be followed by pregnant women. A similar treatment method can be used, since the active components practically do not penetrate into the blood. Therefore, they have no effect on the development of the fetus.
The main thing, before using it, study the composition so that it contains only natural components. In some, painkillers, such as analgin, may be present. Use such patches only with the permission of a doctor.
While feeding
During lactation, use a pepper patch with caution. Ideally, replace it with another, more gentle treatment.
It is worth noting that at this time the body is especially exposed to external factors. Therefore, it can be used only after consultation with your doctor.