The arsenal of modern medicine has a huge amount of funds to combat rhinitis or other diseases of the upper respiratory tract. In the pharmacy you can always be offered with a choice of drops, sprays, tablets. It is necessary to take medications, taking into account not only the symptoms of the disease, but also the reason that caused the disease.
Often, doctors with ARVI prescribe an antiviral ointment for the nose, and not ordinary drops. Some consider it ineffective, but this is an erroneous opinion. Any drug will have its effect, if taken correctly, and most importantly, given the symptoms and cause of the disease.
Classification of antiviral drugs
All drugs that are designed to fight viruses can be divided into several groups:
- Natural. Such preparations contain volatile onion and garlic. Everyone knows the antiviral activity of these vegetables, therefore, infusions of them are often used for treatment.
- Synthetic, for example oxolinic ointment.
- Biological. These are all medicines containing interferon, for example Viferon.
It is worth noting that whatever antiviral drugs you choose, they are most effective in the first three days of illness.
If we consider in general preparations for the nose from the common cold, then they can also be divided into several groups:
- Antiviral.
- Antiseptic.
- Combined.
- Homeopathic.
Any medicine always has its indications and contraindications, so you should not self-medicate, it is better to seek the advice of a doctor.
Antiviral agents
With the onset of cold weather in the autumn-winter period, almost everyone is faced with such a problem as a cold, runny nose. In these cases, it is very important to have at hand a tool that will help to resist infection. Antiviral drugs suppress the activity of viruses and microbes and have clinically proven effectiveness.
Oxolinic Ointment
A good helper will be the antiviral ointment "Oxoline". Many people think that if you apply it on the nasal mucosa every day before going outside, then no viruses will attack you. Oxolinic ointment has a pronounced antiviral activity. The components included in it are able to block the connection of the influenza virus with cell membranes, which means that it simply cannot penetrate into the cell.
This ointment is available in various concentrations. If you decide to use a nasal ointment, then you should choose the one with a concentration of the active substance of 0.25%.
For the prevention of viral diseases, it is necessary to lubricate the nasal mucosa 2-3 times a day, especially before going out. This drug has practically no contraindications, so it can be used even by children.
Viferon
There is also a Viferon antiviral ointment for the nose. This drug belongs to the biological. Viferon is not only a good antiviral agent, but also an immunomodulator. This antiviral ointment for the nose is prescribed in many cases, for example:
- Treatment of influenza or SARS.
- The fight against herpes.
- Treatment of papillomas and warts.
During a viral epidemic or treatment of diseases, children 1-2 years old need to apply a nasal ointment three times a day, and adults and children after 2 years can use the drug 4 times a day.
Interferon, which is part of the ointment, has a low ability to absorb, therefore, the drug acts only at the place of use. During use, some side effects may occur, such as sneezing, a slight burning sensation in the nose, but all this quickly passes after the end of use or after the body adapts to the drug.
Antiseptics
During any viral disease, inflammatory processes begin, so funds with the ability to remove them are needed.
One of the proven funds from this group is Vishnevsky ointment. It contains ingredients that help you recover faster. Many doctors are in a hurry to prescribe antibiotics, but in some cases, the ointment will be even more useful than antibacterial agents.
Ointment "Levomekol" many doctors consider an excellent way to get rid of nasal congestion. This is because she:
- Accelerates metabolic processes.
- Relieves inflammation.
- It has an antimicrobial effect.
Despite the large number of advantages, this ointment has some contraindications for use, it can not be used if:
- There is hypersensitivity to the components of the drug.
- The patient suffers from allergic manifestations.
- Pregnancy, but if the benefit is greater than the risk to the fetus, then doctors prescribe this ointment.
- The period of breastfeeding.
An ointment should be soaked in cotton swabs and inserted into the nasal passages for a while.
Combination drugs
Complex drugs always have a more pronounced effect, so doctors in the treatment of most diseases prefer this.
Combined ointments have several properties at once:
- Relieve inflammation.
- Fighting bacteria.
- Soften the mucous membrane.
- They have a good regenerative effect.
- Kill viruses.
- Relieve vascular edema.
One of these drugs can be considered a nasal ointment "Evamenol". It has a number of healing properties, due to which it is widely used:
- Nasal breathing is facilitated.
- Dryness in the nasal passages disappears.
- Protects against viral infections.
It is only necessary to take into account that this antiviral ointment for the nose for children under 2 years old is not suitable, you will have to choose another drug.
Homeopathic remedies
Homeopathy has firmly entered our lives; in the treatment of many diseases, they try to use such drugs as are more sparing for the body. There are homeopathic ointments for the nose, they have several advantages compared to others, since they have a complex effect right away:
- Stimulate human own immunity.
- They have a clear antiviral effect.
- They have an antihistamine effect.
- Relieve inflammation.
- Mucosal edema is removed.
Since such preparations are almost entirely composed of natural components, such a nasal ointment for children is quite suitable for treatment.
These drugs include Fleming ointment. During a cold, it is necessary to apply it to the mucous membrane or use cotton swabs for these purposes. Usage time - about 10 minutes several times a day. The procedure must be carried out for 1-2 weeks.
The ointment is well tolerated by patients, it is allowed for use even by pregnant women, but still, it is better to consult a doctor before use.
Maternal Nasal Ointment
Sick is always bad, but not everyone succeeds in avoiding this. Some are saved by preventive vaccinations, someone adopts folk recipes, but sometimes this does not help.
Especially relevant is the prevention of viral infections during pregnancy. The woman in this period is responsible not only for her life, but also for the well-being of the growing life within her.
It is not always possible to avoid infection, therefore, with a runny nose, such an antiviral ointment for the nose for pregnant women should be selected that would not harm a small lump inside the abdomen.
Most doctors recommend using oxolinic ointment during pregnancy as a preventive measure. This antiviral ointment for the nose is applied to the mucous membrane and prevents viruses from entering the cell. In addition, she has proven herself well in the fight against herpes.
The popularity of this ointment can also be explained by its availability and relatively low price, which for many buyers is often a decisive factor in choosing a medicine.
Ointment for children
Children suffer from colds even more often than adults, so parents are constantly faced with the question of how to resist infections, and if infection has already occurred, then how to deal with the disease faster.
Everyone knows that those drugs that adults use to fight the virus can not always be used in therapy in children. This should also be remembered when choosing an antiviral nasal ointment for children.
Before purchasing it is always necessary to consult with your doctor, do not self-medicate, especially a child. Here is a list of nasal ointments that can be used in children:
- Oxolinic ointment can be easily used in children, it has practically no contraindications, but before that it is necessary to exclude allergic reactions to the components of the drug.
- "Viferon" - an excellent antiviral ointment for nose for infants.
Vishnevsky ointment is not prescribed for children under 6 years of age. At an older age, kidney disease is a contraindication. Ointment "Levomekol" due to the presence of an antibiotic also can not be used in preschool age.
Even if the ointment is approved for use in childhood, it is still necessary to consult a doctor before use. Everyone has a different body, diseases occur individually, so the remedy is not always universal for everyone.
Recommendations for parents
Even colds in all children are different. One child, despite the high temperature, rushes about the apartment, and another almost all day lies in bed, while refusing to eat.
When children are sick, it is always difficult for parents in this situation. Each was visited by thoughts that it would be better to get sick a hundred times than to see how a child suffers from an intolerable cough or nasal congestion.
But no one is safe from diseases, so more attention should be paid to the prevention of viral diseases. In these cases, an antiviral ointment for the nose will come in handy. Its name will always tell you a pediatrician.
Before use, it is necessary to check how the body perceives this tool. To do this, apply the ointment to a small area of the skin and watch the reaction. If there is no redness and burning sensation, then it can be used.
Never follow an advertisement, do not blindly trust the advice of friends when choosing a means for treating a child. It is better to get competent expert advice so as not to harm the health of your baby.