Therefore, at the first signs of a viral infection, it is necessary to start treatment. Antiviral drugs are used in the form of tablets, sprays, drops, and nasal ointments.
Antiviral nasal ointment is an effective tool in the complex treatment of colds, has not only a general therapeutic effect, but also has a beneficial effect on the nasal mucosa, eliminates congestion.
Application features
Antiviral nasal ointments are less popular than other forms of nasal medications with similar effects. And not in vain, because the therapeutic effect of the nasal antiviral ointment is significantly lower. The thing is that the active components of liquid forms of drugs affect the entire inner surface, while ointments are usually treated only at the beginning of the nasal mucosa.
Also, the disadvantages of ointments include:
- when using too fatty agents, it becomes difficult to remove mucus from the nasal passages, which can provoke congestion, increase the number of pathogenic microorganisms;
- in a hospital, nasal ointments are applied with special tools, while in outpatient treatment, patients cannot correctly apply such a remedy.
However, despite the disadvantages, antiviral nasal ointment has a number of undeniable advantages:
- due to the creamy structure, the drug remains in the place of application, does not drain into the swallow, which excludes the possibility of swallowing (very important in the treatment of young children);
- also, if you smear your nose, and do not use drops and sprays, the likelihood of inflammation of the Eustachian tube caused by the ingress of medication is excluded;
- in their composition, cream-like products often contain moisturizing components, for example, petroleum jelly, which allows you to moisturize the mucous membrane for a long time, eliminate dryness and the formation of crusts;
- such antiviral agents will help get rid of viruses faster than drops of the same action, since the ointment will stay in the nose longer.
Views
Despite the fact that the disease can be caused by both viral and bacterial infections, most often means in the form of ointments are used for the prevention and complex treatment of seasonal colds caused by viruses.
Important! It should be understood that treatment with antibacterial ointment for viral infections will be useless, as well as therapy with antiviral agents for bacterial rhinitis.
Interferon containing
Means, which contain interferon, have established themselves as safe and highly effective drugs for the treatment of diseases caused by viruses. Interferon ointments, for example, such as Viferon, Infagel, have a pronounced immunostimulating effect and fight against pathogenic microorganisms, reducing the intensity of their reproduction and development at different stages of the disease, and contribute to the production of antibodies to infection.
Antiviral therapy should be started as early as possible, at the first signs of the disease. If therapy was not started in the first three days of the disease, then the effectiveness of the drug is significantly reduced.
Due to the prolonged effect, interferon ointments should be applied in small portions twice a day, in the morning and before bedtime. Contraindications to the use of interferons are individual intolerance, serious diseases of the cardiovascular system, cirrhosis of the liver.
Oxolin
Oxolin is one of the most well-known agents used to prevent viral infections. This agent has a pronounced antiviral activity, blocks the reproduction and development of pathogenic microorganisms, protects the mucous membrane from the penetration of viruses. Often, Oxolin is prescribed as a prophylaxis and in the complex therapy of a viral rhinitis. The only contraindication to use is individual intolerance to the components.
The prophylactic course of using oxolinic ointment in the cold season and during epidemics should be at least thirty days. Ointment is used to cover the mucous membrane of the nasal passages with a cotton turunda three times a day or before contact with the carrier of the infection.
Herbal preparations
Ointments belonging to this group are made on the basis of natural ingredients that have an immunomodulating, decongestant, regenerating, antiseptic effect, reduce inflammation and suppress the development of pathogenic microorganisms (Evamenol, DoctorMom, Pinosol, Mentoklar, Zvezdochka balm, Fleming's ointment).
Evamenol
This drug contains eucalyptus and levomenthol. As a result of the use of Evamenol, the severity of the inflammatory process decreases, swelling and the intensity of the manifestation of unpleasant symptoms decrease. The agent is prescribed in the complex therapy of rhinitis, as a prophylactic agent against viral infections. The drug is applied to the nasal mucosa in small portions using a finger or cotton wool three times a day. The duration of therapy is five to ten days. Evamenol is contraindicated in children under two years of age and in the presence of individual intolerance to the components.
Pinosol
Pinosol contains exclusively plant components (pine and eucalyptus oil, thymol, vitamin E, levomenthol). The drug has an antiseptic, antimicrobial and restorative effect. Therefore, it is used in the treatment of viral infections, accompanied by rhinitis and nasal congestion, and for the prevention of colds. A small amount of ointment is applied to the mucous membrane of the anterior sections of the nasal cavity using a cotton ball or finger three times a day. The duration of therapy is seven to fourteen days. The drug is contraindicated under the age of two years and in the treatment of allergic rhinitis.
Fleming's ointment
The drug is made on the basis of horse chestnut, witch hazel and marigold extract, contains excipients such as menthol, zinc oxide and petroleum jelly. Due to the unique properties of herbal ingredients, the agent reduces the severity of inflammation, has an analgesic and antihistamine effect, increases local immunity and the process of tissue regeneration, improves vascular tone, strengthens capillaries. The drug is indicated in the treatment of any type of rhinitis (acute, chronic, vasomotor) and has practically no contraindications.
Ointments for children and pregnant women
In pediatrics, for children in the first years of life, it is recommended to use exclusively antiviral drugs of the interferon series (children's Viferon). Such preparations contain natural substances that are related to the human body. The ointment is carefully applied to the mucous membrane of the child's nose using a small cotton turunda to avoid injury.
Important! Never dilute ointments with water or put them in your child's nose.
At the age of two years and older, it is allowed to use antiviral ointments based on herbal ingredients that have a local antiseptic effect.If the child has not previously experienced allergic reactions to menthol, eucalyptus and other components used for the preparation of ointments, then for the prevention and in the complex therapy of viral infections, you can use the Asterisk balm, Fleming's ointment, oxolinic ointment, etc.
The situation is similar during pregnancy. In this condition, it is forbidden to use many drugs that are usually used to treat viral infections in adults. In order to prevent colds, oxolin is used, for treatment, interferon-containing agents (Viferon, Infagel) are most often prescribed. Also, in the absence of individual intolerance, the expectant mother is allowed to use homeopathic remedies, for example, Pinosol or Fleming's ointment.
Application features
In order for the treatment to bring the expected benefits and not harm the patient, you should take into account a few simple rules that must be followed when applying nasal ointments.
- Before using the ointment, it is necessary to clear the nasal passages, freeing from mucus or pus. For this, it is recommended to rinse the nose with saline.
- Ointments with a healing and restorative effect are recommended to be applied not only to the nasal mucosa, but also under the nose, since often as a result of constant blowing out, the skin becomes inflamed, irritation and itching appear.
- It is necessary to apply the agent on the mucous membrane at least three times a day, the average duration of the course of treatment is usually five to seven days.
- If the ointment is used to prevent viral infections in the autumn-winter period, then it should be applied immediately before going out or in contact with a large number of people. In this case, after two hours, the product should be washed off and a new one should be applied, since during this time a large number of pathogenic microorganisms can accumulate on the surface of the ointment, and the drug will not have the proper prophylactic effect.
Undoubtedly, nasal antiviral ointments are indispensable for the treatment and prevention of colds, especially when it comes to young children and pregnant women. A wide selection of modern drugs will help you quickly and safely get rid of a symptom such as a runny nose, increase the body's protective functions, and restore damaged nasal mucosa.
