Boric acid is an effective antiseptic that is used in otolaryngology to treat ear diseases. The drug is one of the weak acids that prevent the development of pathogenic flora. It has a pronounced disinfecting and decongestant effect. Can boric acid drip into the ear?
It should be noted that the composition of the drug includes components that have a toxic effect. For this reason, weak solutions are not used in pediatric therapy to treat children under 1 year of age. In the absence of contraindications, the course of drug treatment should not exceed 7 days. Otherwise, toxic poisoning of the body is not excluded, which is due to the negative effect of the components of the agent on the detoxification organs.
Boric acid and alcohol - what's the difference?
Before starting treatment of the ear with boric acid or an alcohol solution, you should figure out if there are significant differences between them:
- boric (orthoboric) acid - a powdery white substance that is practically insoluble in water;
- boric alcohol - a medicinal solution of orthoboric acid in 70% ethyl alcohol.
For the treatment of ear diseases, both aqueous and alcoholic solutions are used. The concentration of the active substance in them is different, which affects the characteristics of the use of drugs.
The drug has a pronounced ototoxic effect. Overdose can cause oliguria and diarrhea.
Otolaryngologists often prescribe medication to treat ear pathologies due to the following properties:
- antiseptic - prevents the development of pathogens in the ENT organs;
- insecticidal - destroys harmful insects;
- fungistatic - prevents the development of fungal flora;
- antimycotic - kills yeast-like and mold fungi;
- antimicrobial - destroys the cellular structures of pathogenic bacteria.
The components of the agent are quickly absorbed into the tissues, preventing the multiplication of pathogens and, accordingly, inflammatory processes. When using the drug, the synthesis of bacterial DNA is disrupted, which leads to a reduction in the number of microbes in the foci of inflammation.
In the case of prolonged use, the active substance of the drug will accumulate in the tissues, provoking disturbances in the functioning of the kidneys and liver.
Indications for use
Boric acid can be dripped into the ear? In otolaryngology, several types of ear pathologies can be distinguished, the treatment of which can be carried out using an aqueous or alcoholic solution of orthoboric acid. These include:
- furunculosis of the external auditory canal is an inflammation in the hair follicles that occurs against the background of the development of staphylococcal flora. Boric acid for ears is used when injected into the auditory canal cotton turundas soaked in a solution;
- diffuse otitis externa - diffuse inflammation that occurs in the auditory canal, auricle and membrane. Boric acid for the ear is used in rinsing, which helps to eliminate swelling and microbes in inflamed tissues;
- otitis media - catarrhal processes in the ear cavity, mastoid process and Eustachian tube. Boric acid for pain in the ear can be instilled directly into the ear canal or used to prepare warming compresses;
- otomycosis - inflammation in the external ear canal, provoked by the development of fungal flora. A solution of boric acid for the ears is used for washing, thanks to which not only pathogens are eliminated, but also eczematous rashes.
It should be understood that the treatment of ENT diseases should be comprehensive. This is especially true of pathologies, the development of which was provoked by bacteria.
Lack of antibiotic therapy can cause purulent processes in the ear cavity, which is fraught with damage to the meninges.
Instillation of orthoboric acid
How to treat ears with boric acid? For uncomplicated ear pathologies, the drug can be used as ear drops. They will speed up the process of eliminating pathogens in the foci of inflammation, which will help to strengthen local immunity and recovery.
The drug can be included in the conservative treatment regimen for external and exudative otitis media. How to put boric acid into the ear? In the process of using the medicine, otolaryngologists advise adhering to the following rules:
- clean the ear canal from sulfur using hydrogen peroxide, by dropping 3-5 drops of the solution into the ear;
- remove residual moisture with clean gauze or cotton pad;
- tilt your head to one side and drip boric acid into it;
- after 10 minutes, tilt your head in the opposite direction;
- Remove the rest of the product with a cotton pad.
How many times to drip boric acid into the ear? For one procedure, no more than 3-4 drops of the drug can be instilled into the ear canal. The procedure is performed 3-4 times a day for a week.
Turundas and insufflation
In the presence of boils, boric acid is injected into the ear using cotton swabs. To do this, turundas are moistened in a heated liquid, after which they are slightly squeezed. Then the tampons are gently inserted into the sore ear for several hours.
After the procedure, it is advisable to close the auditory canal with a piece of cotton wool to prevent the ingress of moisture and pathogens.
How to treat ear with boric acid in the postoperative period? After surgical treatment of ear pathologies, the powder is used for insufflation, i.e. blows:
- a special funnel is inserted into the external auditory canal, holding it with the left hand;
- with the right hand, gently insert the tip of the powder blower into the funnel;
- with the fingers of the right hand, they press on the rubber balloon, so that the powder substance, under the influence of an air jet, enters the ear.
Important! A sharp push on the rubber bulb can cause the powder to enter the larynx, which is fraught with spasm of the glottis and the occurrence of a paroxysmal cough.
Warming compress
Can boric alcohol drip into the ear? Only a 3% alcohol solution is used to irrigate the external auditory canal. More concentrated solutions lead to tissue burns and poor health.
According to audiometric studies, competent drug treatment does not lead to hearing loss and the development of persistent hearing loss. However, in case of an overdose, irritation of the ear mucosa is possible.
cavity, which leads to tissue edema and disruptions in the conduct of sound signals by the eardrum and auditory ossicles. How to use boric alcohol for ear treatment?
Alcohol solutions are most often used for the preparation of compresses. They promote a local increase in temperature in the affected tissues, which stimulates the production of neutrophils. An increase in the number of protective cells accelerates the process of destruction of pathogenic agents in the foci of inflammation, due to which tissue epithelization occurs.
With the development of non-purulent otitis media, a compress on the ear with boric alcohol is applied as follows:
- in a piece of thick cotton fabric, make an incision ending in its central part;
- similarly make cuts in gauze and a piece of bandage;
- moisten gauze in an alcohol solution;
- put a cotton cloth on the skin behind the ear to prevent burns;
- put wet gauze folded in several layers on a dry cloth;
- cover the compress with plastic and fix it with a bandage;
- after 2 hours, remove the compress.
Before treating ear with boric alcohol in children under 2 years of age, you should consult a pediatrician. Symptoms that signal the development of acute inflammation in children are often mild. This is due to the reduced reactivity of the body and disruptions in the thermoregulation of the body. Therefore, the absence of hyperthermia is not proof of a 100% absence of purulent processes in the organ of hearing, in which heating cannot be used.
Instilling alcohol solution
It is advisable to use boric alcohol for ear pain only in the absence of other analgesics. The instillation of an alcohol solution is carried out after preliminary cleansing of the ear canal from earwax. For this, hydrogen peroxide or distilled water can be used.
How to drip boric alcohol into the ear? Experts advise against performing the procedure more than 3 times a day. In this case, children can be instilled up to 3 drops, and adults - up to 5 drops of a medicinal solution in a sore ear at a time. How to properly instill boric alcohol in the ear? Instructions:
- drip 3-4 drops of warmed alcohol solution into the ear;
- lie on your side for 7-10 minutes to prevent liquid spilling out;
- roll over on the other side so that the solution flows out of the ear canal;
- remove any remaining moisture with a cotton swab.
Due to the washout of sulfur, the risk of pathogens entering the ear canal increases. To prevent their development, during the week of treatment
experts recommend putting a piece of cotton wool in the sore ear.
It is categorically impossible to pour boric alcohol into the ear at the stage of perforation of the ear membrane. As with orthoboric acid, this can cause irritation and swelling of the ear mucosa.
Contraindications and adverse reactions
In pediatric therapy, the drug is used extremely rarely, due to its toxicity. In medical practice, cases of death from an overdose of the drug have been recorded. Experts advise against using boric alcohol for ears when:
- perforation of the ear membrane;
- purulent processes;
- dysfunction of the kidneys and liver;
- allergies to drug components;
- lactation and early pregnancy.
An overdose of the drug is evidenced by the clinical manifestations of severe intoxication, which include:
- nausea;
- vomiting;
- diarrhea;
- peeling of the skin;
- headache;
- state of shock.
If the above signs occur, you should interrupt therapy and seek the help of a specialist. Late medical attention can lead to the development of kidney disease.
