If there is a cure that can be said to be time-tested, it is ichthyol ointment. The use of the product began in the middle of the 20th century, and although many refuse to use this drug due to its specific color and smell, it has become widespread and accepted by consumers.
Medication Description
The drug is applied externally, a distinctive feature of the drug is the brown or black color of the substance, as well as the unpleasant smell of tar. The pharmaceutical industry produces two types of this ointment - 10 percent and 20 percent. The active substance is ichthyol, and the auxiliary is medical vaseline. The product is produced in tubes, dark glass jars of 25, 800, 1800 grams.
Ichthyol ointment: what is it for?
The tool has a wide spectrum of action and is used in various fields of medicine. For example, with suppuration, ichthyol ointment is most often used. Its use is generally associated withskin diseases. These are, for example, acne, various rashes, furunculosis, burns, etc. Also, the ointment is used in gynecology for the treatment of inflammatory processes. The instructions for use of the remedy indicate that it can also be used for inflammation of the joints, and even in order to pull a splinter out of the skin. In the fight against acne, ichthyol ointment also effectively copes. Its use is so successful due to the antiseptic properties of the product. The drug is able to provide a protective effect from sunlight, but it can not be used with other products that contain zinc oxide. As you can see, the drug has a fairly wide scope.
How ichthyol ointment works
Reviews of specialists about this drug, despite its specific color and unpleasant odor, are extremely positive. This is due to the fact that the drug has a number of undeniable advantages over other drugs that are similar to it in terms of the mechanism of action.
Probably one of the most important qualities of this ointment is that it is able to penetrate deep into the skin, under its upper layers. No other drug can boast of such an effect. Due to the influence of ichthyol, swelling, pain, and inflammation are reduced. Ichthyol ointment is able to improve blood flow in tissues, supplying them with important substances and oxygen. At the same time, the process of removing decay products is also accelerated.
Another great property of this remedy is that it can affect painhuman receptors, reducing swelling and soreness. And after applying the ointment, the patient's pain threshold rises, that is, in order to cause the same pain to a person, a stronger effect on his body will be needed.
The next feature of the drug is that it is able to destroy the protein of the pathogen - this is the so-called denaturation. This effect is due to the high content of sulfur compounds in the preparation. Due to this property, after certain processes, the death of disease-causing organisms occurs.
Another plus of this tool is a vast scope and a minimum of contraindications. After all, the use of an ointment can be prohibited only in case of individual intolerance to the components of the remedy. Although, despite this, the ointment is usually not used to treat patients who are under 12 years of age.
How ichthyol ointment is used
According to the instructions for the drug "Ichthyol ointment", its use can only be external. The method of its application is quite simple, you just need to spread a thin layer on the affected area, without rubbing the product. After that, a gauze bandage is applied to the place of application of ichthyol. At the end of the procedure, be sure to wash your hands with soap and water. Usually such manipulations are carried out two or three times a day. But, depending on the disease and its nature, the attending physician may prescribe a different course of treatment.
