The treatment of ear diseases with boric acid compresses has been practiced at all times. The use of a compress with boric acid can be compared with physiotherapy, but the compress is much more accessible, and it can be applied without a doctor's prescription.
Next, we will tell you what are the types of medical dressings, how to apply them correctly, the advantages and disadvantages of the procedure. In which cases it is necessary to refrain from warming bandages. What else is the treatment of the ears with this drug and what to choose at high temperature. And also, side effects of the drug.
What it is?
Compress is a medical dressing that is applied to a sore spot. As part of compresses should be an active therapeutic substance. Compress can have both warming and cooling effects. Warming compresses are used for inflammatory processes, and cooling - for fractures, sprains, dislocations and other injuries. The structure of a compress differs, depending on what effect is required.
When applying a cooling compress, it is important not to subject the tissue to frostbite; therefore, a cold substance is applied to the affected area for a short time.
If the treatment requires warmth, then you can use both dry and wet warming compress. In the first case, you need to create a "greenhouse effect" around the sore spot, and in the second - warm the tissue and prevent burns. The wet compress is covered with polyethylene and then with a cloth, and the source of dry heat is wrapped in several layers of cloth before being applied to the sore spot.
The appearance of the compress depends on where it is applied. It usually looks like a regular, but rather tight bandage.
Important! In no case should a warming compress be applied if the disease is accompanied by high fever. Heat contributes to a further increase in temperature.
Kinds
Dry compress is used if there is not only pain in the ear, but also discharge. Compress warms the affected organ and absorbs secretions. A dry dressing protects the ear from dust and other environmental influences.- A wet compress is needed to exert various active substances on the ear. These are boric acid, alcohol, vodka, camphor oil, herbal extracts and other medicinal substances.
Dry compress is used if there is not only pain in the ear, but also discharge. Compress warms the affected organ and absorbs secretions. A dry dressing protects the ear from dust and other environmental influences.Wet alcohol compress can not be applied with injured skin and dermatitis.
Pros and cons of use
Before applying you need to familiarize yourself with the pros and cons of the procedure. Among the advantages:
- Ease of use.
- Availability of ingredients.
- Low cost of treatment.
- High efficiency.
The disadvantages include:
- The disadvantages of its individual components and active substances.
- Alcohol compresses are not recommended for children.
- If alcohol is improperly diluted with water, it is possible to get burned tissues at the site of application of the compress.
The correct choice of a compress and active ingredient, as well as competent and careful application of the dressing negates all the flaws.
What is different from turundochka and instillation procedures?
It is possible to treat a sore ear not only with a compress, but also with turonic acid boric acid, which are placed directly in the sore ear. Boric acid is not less effective at instillation. What is the difference between these methods of treatment compared to the use of a compress?
- Turundochka - This is a small cone of cotton, which can be easily made at home. It is impregnated with boric acid, wrung out, removing the excess, and put into the sore ear, gently pressing it, and covering it with cotton on top. Before you use turunda, ear should be cleaned of sulfur. Boric acid warms up the sore ear from the inside, while the cotton wool absorbs excess moisture in the ear, preventing bacteria from reproducing.
- Boric acid instillation - this procedure is as fast as the use of turundochka. 3-4 drops of heated boric acid are instilled into the pre-cleaned ear and cover the ear canal with a cotton swab. It is recommended to make up to 4 instillations per day.
There are no differences between these two methods from applying a compress, because one active substance is involved in the treatment. Turundochki and instillation do not have such a clear warming effect, as a compress, and are contraindicated in children. But for adults, the use of turundas and instillation in some cases will be easier and faster than applying a compress.
The choice of treatment
If when choosing a treatment method there are doubts, then it is worth remembering about contraindications to this or that procedure. Compresses are contraindicated in high temperature and purulent inflammations, turunda and instillation - during pregnancy and lactation, in childhood, as well as in injuries of the eardrum. You need to build on your own state and characteristics of the body when choosing a method of treatment.
When gadgets are not allowed?
There are patient conditions in which the use of a warming compress on the ear is completely unacceptable. If the patient has:
- heat;
- ear discharge is observed;
- headache;
- skin is damaged, dermatitis or furunculosis is observed;
- disturbed coordination and orientation in space.
That warming compress can not be used in any case, it is fraught with serious complications. If you put a warming compress to a patient with purulent otitis, then purulent inflammation under the influence of high temperature will go to the meninges.
How to apply: step by step instructions
To properly apply a heating compress on the ear, you need to prepare the following materials:
- Matter rolled up in several layers so that a rectangle of 10x6 cm is obtained. Gauze, bandage or any cotton fabric will do. In the center of the rectangle you need to make a small cut along the length of the ear.
- A piece of polyethylene, the size of a little larger. It is also necessary to make a cut.
- A piece of wool to cover these two layers. The thickness of the wool should be about 2-3 cm.
- Elastic or conventional bandage or compression bandage for fixation.
On a note. For the impregnation of a compress, an alcoholic solution of boric acid is used, which should be diluted with water in order not to get a burn, especially if the compress is set for a long time. The proportions are 1: 1, for children - 1: 3.
Before using the solution, it is necessary to warm up a little, soak a cloth or gauze with it, and then squeeze out the excess so that the solution does not leak out from under the bandages.
To apply a compress, you need:
- Remove hair from the ear, remove all jewelry.
- Put a cloth moistened with a solution of boric acid on a bad ear.
- From above to impose a piece of polyethylene. If the components of the compress were too large for the patient's face, you need to carefully cut off the excess.
- On top of the polyethylene need to impose a layer of cotton wool, and fix the bandage.
- Over the compress you can wear a scarf to enhance the effect and more reliable fixation of the dressing.
The compress is held as long as the sensation of pleasant heat is preserved without the sensation of burning. Wet compress is not recommended to leave overnight, but a dry compress is possible, especially after it was removed wet.
Side effects
Despite all its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, boric acid is toxic in large doses. When applying, it is imperative to observe the dosage and indications, for contraindications to use boric acid is unacceptable.
An overdose of the drug is possible, and among the symptoms:
nausea and vomiting;- intense thirst;
- diarrhea;
- headache;
- skin rash, with no other reason for its appearance;
- tremor of the limbs;
- manifestation of symptoms of renal failure.
nausea and vomiting;If you have symptoms of an overdose of boric acid, you need to call an ambulance, because there is no specific antidote, overdose is treated by general detoxification of the body. Only a doctor can determine the severity of the condition, because in some cases a blood transfusion is required.
Conclusion
Boric acid is an effective remedy for ear diseases. It is important to follow the instructions when applying it at home without consulting a doctor. If the tool does not have the desired effect after applying for 3-5 days, it is imperative to see a doctor.
