All people periodically get colds and know what a sore throat is. This symptom is the main symptom of many infectious diseases of the nasopharynx: acute and chronic tonsillitis, acute respiratory infections, influenza, laryngitis, pharyngitis. These diseases are caused by a wide range of pathogens: many types of viruses and bacteria, rods, spirochetes, fungi. In addition to the pathogenic microflora, the throat can hurt from burns, injury, from prolonged exposure to an allergen, from smoking. In addition to the general complex therapy for colds, local treatment is mandatory. A mustard plaster can be used as a topical treatment for the throat.
What are mustard plasters
Mustard plasters refer to warming compresses and are the simplest physiotherapeutic remedy. They are made of thick paper, on which a layer of previously defatted mustard powder is applied or from a two-layer bag, divided into cells with dry mustard powder inside.
At home, you can make a mustard compress yourself:
- mix in a tablespoon of mustard seed powder and wheat flour;
- add warm water (50 degrees), stir to get a thick mixture;
- lay out the resulting mass with a layer of 0.5 cm on paper, cover on top with another layer of paper;
- use immediately. Instead of paper, you can use a thin, wet cloth.
A home remedy works much stronger than a factory one, so you need to make sure that there are no burns
Mechanism of action
Mustard contains many essential oils, which dissolve in warm water irritate the nerve endings on the skin in the area of contact. There is hyperemia of the skin, vasodilation of the skin and subcutaneous tissue. A mustard plaster placed on the throat produces an analgesic, expectorant, antiseptic effect, reduces inflammation, promotes the flow of oxygen and nutrients to the unhealthy organ. The sick person inhales dissolved essential oils, which soothes the mucous membrane of the nasopharynx, reduces cough and runny nose.
Indications
- acute and chronic infectious diseases of the nasopharynx, cough, runny nose;
- acute inflammation of the trachea, bronchi, lungs;
- attacks of angina pectoris;
- hypertensive crisis;
- headache;
- muscle inflammation (myositis);
- intercostal neuralgia, sciatica, neuritis.
Contraindications
- wounds, ulcers, moles, skin diseases in the throat;
- increased body temperature over 37 degrees;
- malignant neoplasms;
- purulent forms of tonsillitis;
- an allergic reaction to mustard;
- bronchial asthma;
- tuberculosis;
- decreased skin sensitivity;
- pregnancy;
- lactation period;
- diseases accompanied by seizures.
On which parts of the body you can put a mustard compress:
- throat, back of the neck;
- calf muscles, soles of the feet;
- the upper part of the sternum;
- rib cage;
- muscles;
- area of inflamed nerves.
Which parts of the body should not be placed with a warming compress:
- spine;
- mammary glands, nipples;
- shoulder blades;
- area of the heart, except for angina attacks.
Complications
- allergy;
- burns;
- hyperpigmentation of the skin.
Advantages
- availability of funds and minimum cost;
- simplicity and speed of manipulation;
- quick healing result;
- the possibility of using mustard applications not only as a therapeutic agent, but also as a preventive one;
- no side effects while observing safety measures.
In order to avoid complications, it is necessary to take into account all contraindications, do not exceed the procedure time and put a mustard plaster only on the above-listed areas of the body.
Technique for performing the procedure
It is important that the mustard plasters are fresh with an intense mustard odor and complete, so that the powder does not fall out of the bags or crumble from the leaf. Old powder has a very unpleasant musty odor and a dark color. So that the mustard plasters do not deteriorate, they must be stored in a warm, dry place. At high humidity, the powder deteriorates, useful substances evaporate, and the product loses its effectiveness.
Mustard plasters for sore throat - how to put them correctly, step by step instructions:
- You will need a flat container of hot water, a warm soft towel. Soak the mustard plaster in water for 10-15 seconds, if it is two-layer, then evenly distribute the mustard among the cells before immersion in the water.
One leaf is quite enough for the throat; to enhance the therapeutic effect, you can simultaneously put mustard plasters on the back of the neck, calf muscles or soles. If the applique is placed on the soles, then they need to be wrapped in a cloth and put on warm socks on top. On the soles, the skin is much rougher than on the throat, but you still need to not exceed the exposure time and carefully monitor so that there is no chemical burn.
- Put a wet mustard plaster on your throat with the porous side, wrap your neck with a towel. After a couple of minutes, a tingling sensation will begin, a slight burning sensation. The exposure time is no more than 15 minutes.
Mustard plasters are not reused
- After removing the compress, wipe the skin with a cloth soaked in warm water, wipe dry, lubricate the affected area with a fat cream, cover the patient with a warm blanket. After the procedure, you need to stay in bed for at least half an hour.
- Children under one year old have too sensitive skin, so for infants, mustard plasters can be placed with the back side or by placing a thin cloth or paper napkin under them. The exposure time is no more than five minutes. After removing the application, the skin must be lubricated with baby cream.
- If during the procedure the patient feels a strong burning sensation or discomfort, then the compress should be removed immediately. If severe redness appears at the site of exposure, then it is necessary to rinse this place with water and lubricate with petroleum jelly.
- In case of hypothermia or getting wet in the rain, you can put mustard plasters on the throat, soles, and caviar as a prevention of colds. You need to do this immediately, and not wait for the first manifestations.
If the patient does not tolerate the burning sensation of wet mustard, then you can put on thin socks, into which dry mustard is poured, and put on one more warm socks on top.
If the patient does not tolerate the burning sensation of wet mustard, then you can put on thin socks, into which dry mustard is poured, and put on one more warm socks on top.At the same time, the feet should be dry, and socks, preferably made from natural fabric. The exposure time is 6-10 hours. It is good to do this procedure at night. This procedure, along with mustard baths, is very effective for colds.
Homemade mustard appliques are not used for children under three years old.
The procedure is performed once every two days until recovery, provided that there are no allergic reactions and burns on the skin. You can carry out no more than ten such manipulations. Another method is daily applications once a day for no more than four days in a row. It happens that the patient's body is generally not sensitive to such therapy. This can be understood by the lack of positive results after several procedures. In this case, it is not necessary to use mustard plasters in treatment at all.
Warm mustard compresses for throat ailments are prescribed in combination with medications and other medical procedures. Therefore, at the first manifestations of a cold, you should not hesitate to visit a specialist.
