Throat treatment

Salt and iodine for gargling

Gargling is a therapeutic and prophylactic procedure that helps to disinfect and cleanse the mucous membranes from purulent plaque. Physiotherapy treatment is used in the complex therapy of otolaryngological diseases such as tonsillitis, pharyngitis, stomatitis, gingivitis, etc.

Gargling with salt and iodine prevents the multiplication of bacterial, fungal and viral pathogens, which accelerates the epithelialization of the affected tissues. Sanitizing procedures help to alleviate local manifestations of ENT diseases. Systematic irrigation of the oropharynx with an antiseptic solution prevents edema of lymphadenoid tissues and changes in their morphological structure. Iodine and salt are among the natural antiseptic agents, the use of which helps to cleanse the mucous membranes from pathogenic agents and pathological secretions - pus, desquamated epithelium, viscous mucus, etc.

Salt

Table salt (sodium chloride) is a crystalline substance that contains at least 10 useful components. Saline solutions help restore water-salt metabolism and normalize acid-base balance. Sanitizing procedures ensure the maintenance of osmotic pressure in the cells, which accelerates the regeneration processes in the affected tissues.

Sodium chloride contains the following useful components:

  • manganese;
  • molybdenum;
  • zinc;
  • iron;
  • phosphorus;
  • calcium;
  • selenium;
  • cobalt;
  • copper;
  • sulfur.

Important! For people suffering from gout, rheumatism and osteoarthritis, the use of salt is categorically contraindicated.

The product has pronounced antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties due to the presence of selenium in its composition. Saline solutions help detoxify the body and, consequently, alleviate the symptoms of infectious diseases. The pronounced therapeutic properties of sodium chloride include:

  • elimination of puffiness;
  • disinfection of mucous membranes;
  • cleansing the tonsils from tonsilloliths (plugs);
  • resorption of hypertrophied tissues;
  • healing of mechanical damage.

To achieve the desired therapeutic results, it is more expedient to prepare the medicinal solution immediately before the sanitizing procedure. In order for the crystals of the product to dissolve better in water, it is advisable to take only finely ground salt.

Iodine

Iodine is a biogenic antiseptic that is widely used in pharmacotherapy for the treatment of infectious inflammation. He takes part in the synthesis of thyroxine and phagocytes, which are among the immunocompetent cells capable of destroying pathogens. Deficiency of iodine in the body leads to disruption of metabolic processes, which negatively affects the general immunity.

It is undesirable to use iodine for patients suffering from hemorrhagic diathesis.

Natural antiseptic accelerates the regression of purulent processes in the ciliated epithelium, which contributes to the resorption of infiltrates in the mucous membrane of the oropharynx. It has pronounced disinfecting, wound healing and decongestant properties. Abuse of the drug can lead to dehydration of the mucous membrane and even burns. That is why, before use, a few drops of iodine are diluted in boiled water in order to reduce the concentration of local irritating substances in the solution.

Classic recipe

Medicines based on sodium chloride and iodine can be used to irrigate the throat with the development of tonsillitis of any etiology, pharyngitis, rhinopharyngitis, etc. However, exceeding the recommended dosage of the components of the drug can cause burns on the mucous membrane of the ENT organs. The concentration of salt and iodine is largely determined by the age of the patient and the neglect of the inflammatory process.

To prepare a standard throat irrigation preparation, you can use the following recipe:

  • heat 250 ml of boiled water to 38 degrees;
  • dissolve 1 tsp in water. salt;
  • add 3-4 drops of iodine to the liquid.

The presence of sediment in the preparation can lead to mechanical damage to the throat during rinsing.

Iodine-saline solution for rinsing the throat should be used at least 4 times a day during the period of exacerbation of inflammatory processes. It is not recommended to consume food and drink within 30 minutes after the oropharyngeal debridement.

Egg white solution

In pediatric therapy, for the treatment of infectious inflammation in the throat mucosa, it is recommended to use solutions with egg white. Protein softens the aggressive action of sodium chloride and iodine, which prevents allergic reactions. Regular use of antiseptic liquid contributes not only to the elimination of pathological flora, but also to the healing of tissues melted by purulent exudate.

To prepare the drug, you should:

  1. separate one egg white from the yolk;
  2. pour over the whipped protein with 200 ml of boiled water;
  3. add 2 drops of iodine and ½ hour of salt to the liquid.

Do not pour the protein mass with hot water, as this will lead to denaturation (destruction) of the protein, as a result of which the "cooked" protein will be taken up in large flakes. When treating follicular sore throat, rinsing should be done at least 5-6 times a day to prevent the spread of purulent inflammation.

Blue iodine

Blue iodine is a broad-spectrum agent that has pronounced antiviral, antimicrobial and fungicidal properties. The drug does not contain toxic components that can provoke irritation of the mucous membrane, therefore it is widely used in pediatric and adult therapy for the local treatment of ENT diseases. What is the difference between ordinary iodine and blue?

Blue iodine contains starch, which gives the solution a blue color and neutralizes the effect of alcohol. It is used as a safe hypoallergenic agent for washing not only the mucous membranes of the oropharynx, but also the conjunctiva of the eye in newborns. The drug has antiseptic properties, but it rarely causes allergic reactions.

A small concentration of the drug promotes the synthesis of strains by bacteria that are resistant to iodine.

The minimum course of treatment with iodine is 5-7 days, provided that at least 5 teaspoons of the drug are used for gargling. The systematic use of an antiseptic solution contributes to the regression of catarrhal processes in the mucous membrane of the throat, strengthening of blood vessels and, accordingly, reducing swelling. To rinse the throat, the drug is diluted with water in equal proportions.

Rinsing recommendations

Compliance with the recommendations for sanitizing procedures guarantees the elimination of local manifestations of ENT pathology within 10-14 days. The effectiveness of physiotherapy directly depends on the frequency and correctness of rinsing. To speed up the healing process, the following nuances should be taken into account during the local treatment of an infectious disease:

  1. the solution should not contain undissolved salt crystals and other impurities;
  2. the optimal temperature of the rinse fluid is 38 degrees;
  3. It is advisable to prepare the medicinal solution immediately before use;
  4. during rinsing, the head must be thrown back, pronouncing the vowel "s-s-s" as you exhale;
  5. the minimum single rinse time should be 15-20 seconds.

It should be understood that antiseptic solutions are not a panacea and are used only as an adjunct to etiotropic therapy.

It is possible to completely eliminate the bacterial flora in the body by taking systematic antibiotics.