The blue lamp (Minin's reflector) is a physiotherapy device that is used as dry heat to warm up the ENT organs. The efficiency of the compact device is due to its ability to generate beams in the infrared range. They penetrate deeply into soft tissues, which leads to an acceleration of blood circulation and regeneration processes.
Warming up the ear with a blue lamp is indicated for aseptic inflammation of the mucous membranes of the ear. Regular thermotherapy sessions activates defense mechanisms, prevents congestion and strengthens local immunity.
Heat radiation has a beneficial effect on cell metabolism, has anesthetic, antimicrobial and anti-edema effect.
Device design
The physiotherapy device is a compact reflector consisting of a metal shade, an incandescent light bulb, a handle and a blue reflective layer. The mirror coating of the device and the shape of the bulb itself provide the necessary focusing of the rays in the infrared and visible ranges. This allows the heat flow to be directed to the necessary parts of the body during thermotherapy.
The modern blue lamp for warming the ear is somewhat different from the device that was developed in 1891 by A.V. Minin. Thermotherapy devices are manufactured with different diameters of the mirror reflector. Reflectors with large blue flasks are convenient for intensive heating of large areas; smaller devices are more often used to treat inflammation in the nasopharynx and ear.
Universal devices are suitable for the treatment of ENT diseases in patients of any age category. Minin's reflectors are capable of replacing most of the age-restricted physiotherapy procedures. However, experts warn that thermotherapy is not considered useful for otorrhea and acute inflammation.
Operating principle
The therapeutic effect of the physiotherapy device is due to the infrared radiation of the blue lamp, the wavelength of which does not exceed 2 microns. The reflector's emission spectrum is limited to short and medium infrared wavelengths. That is why the device intensively warms up not only the surface layers of the skin, but also deeper tissues.
Experts have determined that in the field of lamp application, the permeability of blood vessels is significantly increased, metabolic processes and blood microcirculation are accelerated. This promotes the speedy elimination of catabolic products from inflamed tissues.
Due to the thermal effect, fibroblast differentiation is accelerated, which leads to intensive replacement of damaged cells in the connective tissue.
There is nothing in common between Minin's reflector and an ultraviolet lamp. The reflector does not have pronounced bacteriostatic properties and cannot be used to treat jaundice in infants.
The above effects lead to the resorption of infiltrates, which is obvious with the development of chronic inflammation in the middle ear. During the course of thermotherapy with Minin's reflector, pain sensitivity decreases and the immune defense is strengthened. Analgesia is due to the elimination of puffiness, restoration of the protective sheath of nerve fibers and the antispasmodic effect of infrared radiation.
Therapeutic effect
Is it possible to warm the ear with otitis media with a blue lamp? According to otolaryngologists, dry heat can only be used when subacute processes occur in the organ of hearing. In other words, it is advisable to use Minin's reflector at the initial stage of development of ENT disease, as well as at the stage of resolving purulent processes.
Non-contact heating of the ear promotes the penetration of infrared rays into the tissues to a depth of 3 cm. Due to this, the following therapeutic effects are achieved:
- blood circulation improves;
- metabolism accelerates;
- pain syndrome is stopped;
- tissue regeneration is accelerated;
- the elasticity of the vessel walls increases;
- swelling and inflammation in the tissues is eliminated;
- the concentration of oxygen in the body increases;
- the conduction of nerve impulses is restored.
Do not use an ordinary incandescent light bulb to warm your ear. This could result in burns.
Indications and contraindications
Experts warn that the use of the Minin reflector is possible only after prior consultation with a specialist. Incorrect and untimely heating of tissues can cause the spread of foci of inflammation and deterioration of health. The use of dry heat is indicated only in the following cases:
- aseptic muscle inflammation;
- myringitis without fever;
- the rehabilitation period after barotrauma;
- hearing impairment against the background of tissue edema;
- non-suppurative ear inflammation (serous and diffuse otitis media).
Important! Do not use a blue lamp while using cytostatics and immunostimulants.
Self-medication can lead to an aggravation of the state of health and the chronicity of inflammatory processes. It is strongly not recommended to use an infrared reflector when:
- hyperthermia;
- pregnancy;
- exacerbation of inflammation;
- impaired blood circulation in the brain;
- purulent-inflammatory processes;
- blood clotting disorders;
- malignant neoplasms;
- active tuberculosis;
- autonomic dysfunction;
- violation of the integrity of the skin.
Ignoring contraindications in 80% of cases becomes the reason for patients to turn to an otolaryngologist. To avoid negative consequences, consult a specialist before using a heat therapy procedure.
Instructions
How to warm your ear with a blue lamp? To achieve the desired therapeutic effect while using the device, you need to take into account a few simple rules. It should be noted right away that sessions can be carried out in a room with low humidity. It is categorically impossible to use the Minin reflector in a bath or while taking a bath.
Instructions:
- turn on the device and bring it to the sore ear;
- the distance from the auricle to the device should be 20-50 cm;
- the reflector should be at a slight angle to the ear (about 60 degrees);
- during the procedure, it is advisable to close the eyes in order to avoid drying out of the mucous membrane.
During the session, the patient must independently adjust the distance from the ear to the lamp, guided by his own feelings. During thermotherapy, the patient should feel a pronounced but comfortable thermal radiation.
Important! It is undesirable to project infrared rays onto the thyroid area, as this can cause hormonal imbalance.
How many minutes to warm your ear with a blue lamp? Warming up should be done in 3-4 sets of 5-10 minutes with an interval of 15 minutes between them. With proper use of the infrared reflector, ear congestion, pain and swelling are quickly eliminated. How much to warm your ear with a blue lamp?
The duration of the course of thermotherapy depends on the age and general condition of the patient. On average, the duration of therapy varies from 4 to 10 days. A second course of thermotherapy can be started no earlier than a month after the previous one.
Treatment of children
Can small children warm their ear with a blue lamp? The use of infrared heat is recommended in the treatment of children under 3-4 years of age.Unlike most synthetic drugs, dry heat is practically harmless and does not negatively affect the detoxification organs. However, when using a physiotherapy device, you need to pay attention to the following points:
- therapy is carried out only after the permission of the pediatrician and otolaryngologist;
- the duration of one thermotherapy session should not exceed 15 minutes;
- while warming up the ear, it is important to monitor the temperature of the skin to prevent burns;
- treatment of infants is carried out during sleep, protecting the eyes with a special film.
During operation, the inner surface of the reflector becomes very hot. Avoid touching the heated parts of the device during physiotherapy.
