Ichthyol ointment: reviews of doctors, instructions for use, indications and composition

Ointment for burns, skin inflammations, abscesses and other pathological conditions must be present in every medicine cabinet. After all, no one is immune from getting banal domestic injuries.

Why is ichthyol ointment necessary ? Feedback on the effectiveness of this tool will be presented a little lower.

According to the instructions, the presented medication is used not only under the above conditions, but also for the treatment of hemorrhoids, boils, acne and even gynecological diseases.

Thus, it can be concluded that this drug is a universal remedy.

Composition of the medicament and its packaging

What are the components of ichthyol ointment? Reviews of patients and doctors will not give an answer to the question posed. You can get it only from the attached instruction.

The active ingredient of this drug is a substance such as ihtamol. It also includes medical Vaseline in the proportions of 2: 8 for 20% ointment and 1: 9 for 10%.

Ichthyol ointment is available in polymer jars or aluminum tubes.

Pharmacology of a local drug

What is remarkable about ichthyol ointment? The feedback of each consumer about this tool is subjective. Therefore, you should not trust such responses.

According to the instructions, this preparation has keratoplastic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and local anesthetic effect.

Operating principle

How does ichthyol ointment work? Instruction, reviews of specialists report that the effectiveness of this drug is due to the presence of an active substance, such as ihtamol.

When directly affected by the skin and mucous membranes, the said ingredient has a locally irritating effect on the sensitive endings of nerve fibers. Gradually, a weak stimulus is replaced by a decrease in the sensitivity of the latter. As a result, reflexes develop that alter the trophism of the tissues.

It should also be noted that the active ingredient of the agent under consideration causes denaturation of protein molecules.

The drug is absorbed into the skin and mucous membranes, positively affects the inflamed areas and subcutaneous layers (including in combination with alcohol).

It should also be noted that the use of ointment contributes to the restoration of blood circulation, the regulation of the tone of blood vessels, improving metabolism and increasing the elasticity of the skin.

The analgesic effect of the medication on the deep layers of soft tissues manifests itself several hours after the treatment of the painful area.

Features of medicinal ointment

What are the properties of ichthyol ointment? Application (reviews about this cream can leave everyone) of this tool contributes to the following effects:

• Anesthesia and relieving inflammation. Ihtammol is able to inhibit the activity of lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase enzymes that take an active part in the decay of arachidonic acid. As a result of this impact, the formation of compounds, which are a powerful mediator of inflammation, slows noticeably. Also, ihtamol reduces the production of prostaglandins, reducing the intensity of pain.
• Antimycotic action . Such dermatophytes as the geophilic and zoophilic fungi (Microsporum gypseum and Microsporum canis) show a high sensitivity to 0.2% solutions of ihtamol, while drugs with a higher concentration of active substance are used to destroy the causative agents of moldy onychomycosis and candidiasis.
• Antibacterial action. This drug is very effective against gram-positive bacteria, which, in fact, are the main and, perhaps, the only causative agents of infections that appear on the skin. In particular, ichthamol adversely affects the golden and epidermal staphylococci, as well as group A streptococci.

Indications for ointment application

What are the statuses of ichthyol ointment? The positive feedback about this remedy is most often left by those patients who used this remedy for the treatment of skin diseases such as erysipelas, eczema, burns, abscesses and others. In addition, this medication is actively used for arthritis and neuralgia of inflammatory or traumatic nature.

Is ichthyol ointment used in gynecology? The reviews of specialists say that the drug in question is very effective not only in gynecological, but also in urological practice in the treatment of inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs (for example, prostatitis, parametritis and metritis, salpingitis, and a number of other pathological conditions).

One can not help saying that ichthyol ointment is often used in the expansion of hemorrhoids. This use of the drug is due to its ability to eliminate painful manifestations and to stop the inflammation of the nodes, to disinfect them, to accelerate the processes of cell repair and epithelialization of tissues, contributing to the healing of anal fissures.

After applying the medication to the hemorrhoids, itching decreases, venous blood outflow is stimulated, blood circulation improves and discomfort in the anus is eliminated.

Contraindications to the use of external means

This drug has virtually no contraindications. According to the instructions, ichthyol ointment should not be used only in the presence of an allergic reaction to ichthyol and individual intolerance to the components.

Mode of application

This medication is used only for external therapy. Its thin layer is applied to the skin and covered with a cut of gauze. Rubbing ointment is not recommended.

After the procedure, you need to wash your hands.

The duration of the course of therapy is determined by the doctor (depends on the disease clinic and the diagnosis given). The instructions say that an adult man can be administered an ichthyol ointment three times a day.

Instruction and dosage

How is ichthyol ointment used for subcutaneous acne? The doctors say that for the treatment of rashes on the face the drug is better to use in the form of masks. This method is well suited for patients with extensive acne.

A thick layer of medication is applied to the face, avoiding areas around the lips and eyes. In this state, the ointment is maintained for two hours, and then removed by means of a cotton wool disk and rubbed face with cosmetic milk.

After the procedure, the area with rashes must be treated with cream or lotion, which includes salicylic acid.

Do this mask preferably at least two times a week. In view of the fact that the drug has an unpleasant odor, it should be applied before bedtime.

Using a medicine from ordinary pimples, it is required to point it on the inflamed area and cover with a cotton swab. After 120 minutes, the remnants of the medicine must be removed.

Also helps to get rid of ichthyol ointment from boils. Reviews about it in this regard are mostly positive, and the ointment is applied to the inflamed gland in the amount of 2 g and is firmly fixed with a gauze napkin. Such processing is carried out every 10 hours.

How should I use ichthyol ointment in gynecological practice? In this case, the tampon is well impregnated with a mixture consisting of the agent in question and a 10% solution of glycerin. Then it is administered intravaginally twice a day.

Ichthyol ointment from hemorrhoids (feedback on the effectiveness of this agent is described below) is used either in pure form or in combination with glycerin.

If you have a burning sensation and pain, you should always contact the doctor. Consultation of a specialist is also necessary if, two weeks after the start of treatment, positive dynamics are not observed.

Side effects

Ichthyol ointment extremely rarely causes side reactions. Sometimes, against the background of its use, the patient may develop rashes on the skin, itching, redness and burning.

Ichthyol ointment: recall of the consumer and specialists

Experts argue that ichthyol ointment is a multifunctional tool. This drug is actively used for eczema, abscesses, furuncles and even acne.

Many representatives of the weaker sex claim that this remedy is simply irreplaceable in the fight against imperfections of the skin. It allows you to quickly eliminate inflammation, decontaminate the affected area, reduce the size of acne and their soreness, accelerate the removal of purulent contents of pustules, remove the peeling and noticeably soften the skin.

The only drawback of this ointment, according to reviews, is its unpleasant odor.