Warming compresses and ointments are used in folk and official medicine to treat viral and bacterial respiratory diseases. They are especially often used to alleviate the condition of babies, since external use of drugs has much fewer contraindications than internal use. Turpentine cough ointment for children is known to almost everyone, but not fully understood. Some pediatricians are categorically against its appointment, while others consider it to be one of the most effective remedies.
Composition of the preparation
Warming ointments for children with coughs are very useful. Turpentine ointment can also give the desired results. The main active ingredient is purified turpentine oil, which is extracted from coniferous trees. It is it that has antiseptic and mucolytic properties. The product also contains petroleum jelly, which softens the skin and increases its absorbency. The ointment penetrates well into the skin and quickly affects it.
Benefits in treating cough
Cough ointment for children under one year old is not used at all. Doctors recommend including it in the course of therapy when the child turns 3 years old. This is due to the high warming properties of the drug. Natural ingredients very quickly irritate the skin, which stimulates blood circulation not only in its upper layers, but also in the respiratory organs. When the agent is exposed in the body, the following reactions occur:
- the skin releases histamine and other biologically active substances that fight viruses and bacteria;
- blood flow accelerates, cells are saturated with oxygen faster, this speeds up metabolism;
- sputum in the respiratory tract is thinned, increases in volume;
- the cough becomes productive, along with the mucus from the bronchi, pathogenic microorganisms come out;
- the airways warm up well, which relieves inflammation and swelling from the mucous membranes;
- nerve endings are irritated, the ointment has a distracting effect.
How to apply
Each package of a pharmacy product contains instructions that indicate exactly how to apply the ointment and in what cases. However, for rubbing children, the medicine will not be used in the same way as for adults.
The child has less stable protection from external factors, his skin is too delicate and susceptible to aggressive substances. Turpentine strongly irritates the receptors, therefore it is mixed in a 1: 1 ratio with a fat baby cream.
Before rubbing with a cough, you need to make sure that the baby is not allergic to turpentine oil or other components. To do this, apply a small amount of ointment to the inside of the elbow and wait a few hours, if the child does not act up, rub the place of application, and the skin does not show any reaction, there is no allergy.
We use the tool in this way:
- we process the baby's feet, put on warm socks;
- we rub the ointment between the ribs, it is in this place that the lungs are located;
- apply the product to the chest, bypassing the heart area;
- we use only light massaging movements, we do not injure the skin;
- we dress the child in warm pajamas (note that it will smell very unpleasant after the procedure and it will be difficult to wash it);
- we wrap the patient in a blanket and leave overnight;
- in the morning we wipe the skin with a damp warm towel, change the linen to clean and dry.
Improving efficiency
It is not only pharmaceutical ointment that can be used for coughing for children. It is combined with healthy natural products that only enhance the effect. Experts recommend mixing the turpentine preparation with animal interior fat. It is an effective medicine that has powerful anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antimicrobial, wound healing and immunostimulating properties. You can warm your baby's skin with the addition of fat from the following animals:
- badger;
- bear;
- goats;
- cows;
- goose.
To add fat to the ointment, you need to melt it. For this, only a steam bath is used, and some varieties melt at room temperature. If you make the mixture, then after 2-3 days you will be able to achieve the desired results. Using an ointment with fat at the onset of the disease will help prevent further development.
Precautionary measures
A drug with high biological activity can cause negative reactions in babies. Despite the fact that children rarely have severe chronic disorders, it is still worth making sure that there are no contraindications to ointment treatment.
It is forbidden to use the product in such cases:
renal failure;- liver failure;
- severe diseases of the cardiovascular system;
- violation of the integrity of the skin in the treated areas;
- any dermatological diseases.
renal failure;Also, do not forget that turpentine ointment accelerates blood flow, it is not used at elevated body temperature. It will be inconvenient to do rubbing if the disease has fallen on in the summer, the remedy has a high warming effect, and the child may be capricious when using it.
If any negative reactions are found, the drug should be washed off with warm water and consult a doctor. Treatment is agreed in advance with the pediatrician, it must be combined with drug therapy prescribed by a specialist.
Let's summarize
Turpentine ointment has established itself as an excellent warming agent, previously it was used to treat children and adults. Now the opinion of pediatricians is not unambiguous, some completely reject the use of the drug, and some consider it effective in combating cough. You can use the tool only if the child has no contraindications to it, and your doctor gave the go-ahead.
