Sore throat is a symptom of many diseases caused by various pathogens. Most often, this symptom characterizes acute respiratory infections caused by a viral pathogen. In cases where bacteria are involved in the development of the disease, the inflammatory process in the tonsils is accompanied by the formation of purulent deposits. Painful sensations are also characteristic of acute pharyngitis, tracheitis. Due to the high prevalence of such conditions, the question of how to gargle with a cold becomes relevant.
Therapeutic tactics for sore throat
A sore throat, depending on the nature of the lesion and the localization of the process, is described in different ways: tickling, scratching, feeling of a lump. With angina, there is a constant soreness, aggravated during swallowing, radiating to the ear. The presence of this symptom significantly aggravates the course of the disease. This creates the prerequisites for carrying out activities aimed at reducing pain and inflammation.
As the means used for this, are used
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs used by mouth;
- topical preparations in the form of aerosols, pills.
Practitioners have different attitudes towards gargling to reduce inflammation and pain. One part of specialists considers these procedures to be a prerequisite for the comprehensive treatment of patients. Gargling is not considered an effective procedure by other doctors. However, all therapists and otolaryngologists agree that gargling should not be a monotherapy in the treatment of sore throat and other respiratory diseases, accompanied by sore throat and the development of pain.
There are certain requirements for gargling the throat:
- The temperature of the solution used should be 40 degrees, which provides maximum comfort for the procedure;
- The manipulation is carried out after eating;
- Before the procedure, the oral cavity is cleaned of food debris, rinsed with warm water;
- The required number of rinses per day is 5-6;
- The duration of each of the procedures is 2-3 minutes;
- The amount of solution required is one glass;
- The rinsing agents must be changed.
Furacilin
Among the drugs used to gargle the throat, furacilin is the most common. This product in ready-made form can be purchased in the pharmacy chain. You can cook it yourself. For this, 2 tablets of furacilin are crushed, filled with a glass of hot boiled water. Next, the resulting suspension is stirred and allowed to cool. The resulting solution is ready to use. Considering that the volume of the required solution for one procedure is 200 ml, it is allowed to prepare a larger amount of the solution, since it remains in a cool, dark place for 10 days.
Hydrogen peroxide
For the procedure, a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution can also be used. The better to gargle, depends on the location of the inflammation and its nature. It is especially important whether it is purulent or catarrhal.
Most often, hydrogen peroxide is used for purulent lesions of the throat, follicular and lacunar sore throat.
Its use in this case contributes to the dissolution of abscesses and facilitates their washing out of the tonsils. The solution is prepared as follows: one teaspoon of a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution is stirred in a glass of warm boiled water. It is recommended to carry out 3-4 such procedures per day, alternating with rinsing with saline.
Iodine preparations
How you can gargle with pharyngitis and tracheitis also depends on the location and nature of the lesion. Sometimes the lesion is atrophic. In this case, iodine-containing preparations will be effective. Topical preparations are Yoks, Yoditserin. Gargling involves the use of saline solutions with the addition of an alcoholic solution of iodine. To prepare such a product, stir 2 teaspoons of table salt in one liter of boiled warm water. Immediately before the procedure, 2-3 drops of iodine are added to a glass of saline solution, and this is used to rinse.
Chlorhexidine
A good effect is achieved when using chlorhexidine. The drug has a pronounced antimicrobial effect. Depending on the concentration of the solution, it can even be used for processing surgical instruments. When rinsing the throat, a 0.05% solution is used.
Rinse your mouth before using chlorhesidine. After that, the drug is taken into the mouth in a volume of 20-25 ml, and the throat and tonsils are rinsed for 15 seconds. Due to the toxicity of chlorhexidine, ingestion should be avoided. The concentration of the solution used in children is lower and amounts to 0.01%.
Phytopreparations
Gargling with a cold is possible using herbal remedies. These are herbal decoctions with an antiseptic effect, and extracts prepared on an alcohol basis. At the heart of one of them, Rotokan, in addition to the alcohol base, includes herbs yarrow and chamomile, as well as calendula flowers. To use Rotokan for gargling, stir one teaspoon of the product in a glass of warm water just before use. The procedure is similar with the use of other means.
Can be used for procedures and decoctions of herbs such as chamomile, sage and calendula. To do this, they are brewed according to the instructions and used in the appropriate amount.
The broth is not stored for a long time. It must be used during the day, remembering to warm it up before use.
Oki
Currently, the drug Oki has appeared on the pharmacy market, which has a pronounced anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect. This complex drug is based on a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, as well as antiseptics and fragrances. After using Oka, throat hyperemia and swelling decrease in a short time.
The drug is most widely used for pharyngitis, laryngitis, tracheitis. Its use in children has age restrictions due to the toxicity of the components. The drug is used only in children over 6 years old. In addition, the following conditions are contraindications to its use:
- allergic reactions to the components of the drug;
- peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum;
- blood clotting disorders;
- kidney disease;
- pregnancy and lactation.
It is necessary to rinse with this product according to the instructions. The available dispenser will allow you to determine the required amount of substance for the procedure.
Stopping at the choice of how to gargle with a cold, it must be remembered that this method is only one of the components of the comprehensive treatment of patients with sore throat.
