However, the safest, most harmless and at the same time effective way not to catch an infection is to lubricate the nasal passages with special ointments, especially when it comes to preventive measures for children.
But often people do not know how to smear their nose so as not to get sick, because there are a large number of drugs, and choosing the right option is not easy.
Disease prevention
It is known that colds are most often caused by viral infections that affect the upper respiratory tract, causing inflammation of the nasopharyngeal mucosa. The most common symptoms of a cold are sore throat, general malaise, sneezing, coughing, fever, and runny nose. However, unpleasant symptoms can be avoided if preventive measures are taken in time.
Among the methods of prevention are:
- walks in the open air;
- balanced diet;
- the use of special vitamin complexes;
- maintaining optimal humidity in the room;
- the use of medications in the form of tablets or ointments.
Medicines
Most often, along with the above methods of preventing seasonal illnesses, doctors recommend using special means that you need to smear your nose so as not to get sick.
Interferon preparations
Interferon-based medicines have proven to be safe and effective for the treatment and prevention of colds. After all, interferons are natural factors that prevent the body from being damaged by a viral infection. Interferon ointments have a pronounced immunostimulating (increasing the protective functions of the body) and antiviral effect, block the development and reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms at different stages of the disease. In pharmacies, you can purchase a special ointment for the nose for prophylaxis based on this substance - Viferon.
Before traveling by public transport, going to crowded places, especially in the cold season, in order not to get infected, it is necessary to anoint with ointment under the nose. After being applied to the skin, the ointment forms a protective film that prevents the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms. In this case, Viferon ointment has a long-term effect, therefore, for preventive purposes, lubricate your nose with it twice a day.
Oxolinic ointment
Oxolinic ointment (0.25%) is often the first choice for lubricating the inside of the nose to prevent infection. If your children are often sick, then apply the ointment to the mucous membrane of the nose, covering the nasal passages with a thin layer, and feel free to go outside and visit crowded places. In pediatrics, it is allowed to use the ointment from the first month of a child's life.
Important! Oxolinic ointment should be renewed every two hours, since a large number of viruses and bacteria can accumulate on its surface, which will significantly reduce the protective effect of the drug.
The prophylactic course of using Oxolinic ointment in the cold season and during epidemics should be at least 30 days.
Herbal ointments
At the initial stages of the disease, when you feel that you are ill (general weakness, fatigue, runny nose), in order to prevent the further development of a viral infection, it is recommended to use pharmacy ointments from natural ingredients. Most often, such preparations contain eucalyptus oils, menthol and other substances in their composition.
Ointment Doctor Mom
If, after visiting kindergarten or school, the child has a runny nose, then you can apply Doctor Mom ointment. This drug is made on a natural basis and includes components such as menthol, camphor, eucalyptus. The ointment has an anti-inflammatory effect, prevents the growth of pathogenic microorganisms.
Important! Menthol ointment is contraindicated for children under three months of age. The drug is intended solely for lubricating the wings of the nose, but not the inside of the nasal passages.
To prevent the further development of viral infections, it is effective to use warming ointments containing eucalyptus, nutmeg, mint, clove, laurel and other substances.
So, the Asterisk balm is a popular remedy. They lubricate the wings of the nose to relieve congestion, which helps to restore breathing and the protective functions of the nose. The balm is a natural and safe remedy, easily penetrates the skin, providing a healing effect. The remedy is contraindicated in the presence of individual intolerance, under the age of three years, during pregnancy and lactation.
Antivir
In the event that one of the household members has a cold, it is important that the whole family does not become infected. Therefore, it is necessary to take preventive measures in time: isolate the patient, take antiviral drugs and choose what to smear in the nose. At the first signs of a viral infection: nasal congestion or, on the contrary, severe rhinitis, the drug Antivir will help. This remedy is made on the basis of plants growing in the Ussuri taiga, has a powerful bactericidal, antiviral, antiseptic, antiallergic, antipyretic and antispasmodic effect, therefore it will help to easily eliminate an infectious disease.
The product is not toxic even with prolonged use, it is allowed for children over three years old.
In the treatment of rhinitis, Antivir is used to lubricate the mucous membrane of the nasal passages twice a day, in prophylactic whole ointment is used before going to places where a large number of people gather or contact with a carrier of infection.
Pinosol
Pinosol ointment, made on the basis of such medicinal components as pine and eucalyptus oil, thymol, vitamin E and levomenthol, is designed to eliminate nasal congestion and prevent viral infections. Pinosol is applied to the mucous membrane of the anterior sections of the nasal cavity in each trip, after which it is evenly rubbed. The procedure is carried out at least three times a day, for one to two weeks.
This remedy is contraindicated for use in children under two years of age, in the treatment of allergic rhinitis and for individuals with individual intolerance to the components of the drug.
Folk recipes
Ointments in the nose are an effective way to prevent viral infections transmitted by airborne droplets. The principle of action of ointments is based on preventing the ingress of pathogenic microorganisms, delaying them and suppressing reproduction. Despite the fact that most of the ointments are active exclusively against certain groups of viruses, they are quite effective for the prevention of acute respiratory diseases.
Along with ready-made preparations, you can use folk recipes for the preparation of ointments.
- Garlic and onion remedy. To prepare this ointment, vegetable oil is simmered in a water bath for forty minutes. Cool and add to finely chopped garlic (four cloves) and onion (half a medium onion).The resulting product is insisted overnight, after which the nasal mucosa is filtered and lubricated before going outside and in places with a large crowd of people.
- Also, for prophylaxis, an ointment prepared with the addition of fir oil is used. In this case, a few drops of essential oil are added to any fat base (2-3 drops per 30 grams of base). Just smear your nose twice a day, before contact with a carrier of the infection.
What kind of ointment is better to use? The most effective prevention of colds will be in the case of the complex use of antiviral drugs and folk methods, in combination with proper nutrition, hardening and physical activity.
