In the treatment of subcutaneous acne, many unforgivably easily make a common mistake - they purchase expensive medications and, like little children, hope for a miracle. In 99% of cases, a high price does not guarantee the same high results in the fight against skin inflammation: the effect is either completely absent or minimal. But the well-known and time-tested ichthyol ointment for acne helps much better! Have you ever wondered why?
The time has come for irrevocable and final relief from painful inflammation. The best part is that a domestically produced pharmacological product delivers a crushing blow to acne!
How to treat acne with ichthyol ointment
To the pressing question of whether ichthyol ointment helps with acne, most doctors answer in the affirmative. However, it is important to consult a dermatologist before using any medication.
The doctor will accurately determine the etiology of the problem and recommend an effective medication to combat inflammation, treat skin mites and boils.
- The medicine removes unsightly pimples on the face, décolleté or neck in just 3-5 hours. At the same time, liniment removes traces of formations.
- The ointment is very effective for severe dermatological pathologies characterized by sluggish inflammatory processes.
We are talking about a local pharmacological sulfur-containing drug. It prevents the activity of pathogenic microflora, which is often the cause of the appearance of subcutaneous and external rashes. Sulfur is the substance that provides a pronounced antibacterial effect.
Useful properties of the ointment
Ichthyol liniment for acne boasts a number of useful properties, which compares favorably with other medicines for a similar purpose.
Properties that guarantee the popularity of the drug:
- suitable for the treatment of formations of any etiology, accompanied by inflammatory processes;
- activates metabolic biochemical reactions in the dermis, thereby improving the appearance and condition of the skin;
- pronounced keratoplasty effect - dries out the epidermis, softens hard keratinized parts of the epithelium;
- locally irritating – quickly draws out purulent accumulations, due to which deep subcutaneous pimples mature faster and the duration of their existence is reduced significantly;
- provides a local anesthetic analgesic effect;
- helps get rid of acne spots, reduces the formation of post-acne;
- The drug is easy to treat any part of the body;
- Liniment is available to absolutely all customers due to its low cost.
One of the main disadvantages of using the medicine in question is its unpleasant odor and dark color, which leaves marks on clothes. But a good and quick result is worth “enduring” these small disadvantages.
For children
A pharmacological preparation consisting of ichthammol can be used by children from 6 years of age.
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Description of the drug
“Ichthyolka” for subcutaneous acne is an affordable and effective medicine. Its basis is ichthyol. Ichthyol is shale resin, or to be more precise, an extract from rocks. The substance is extracted by heat treatment, drying or evaporation.
The extract has a viscous consistency of slight thickness with a distinct specific odor. The presence of sulfite-ichthyol, ammonium, and thiophene in the components provides the declared therapeutic effect.
Liniment is used not only for external single-component use, but also in combination with antibiotics, glucocorticosteroids and analgesics. The main purpose is infectious damage to the skin and mucous membranes, accompanied by tissue inflammation.
pharmachologic effect
The medicinal properties of ichthyol ointment are due to the properties of its active substance, ichthyol, as well as the high concentration of sulfur in the composition. It acts as an irritant to nerve endings. Due to the targeted effect, it helps to reduce their sensitivity, the formation of reflexes that change the trophism of tissues.
The effect of the drug extends to both the dermis and mucous membranes, vessels concentrated in the application area:
- sulfur inhibits the activity of pathogenic bacteria, destroying protein compounds at the cellular level;
- reduces the concentration of pain mediators and corrects the transport of leukocytes to the area of inflammation;
- the production of prostaglandins is suppressed, which provides an analgesic effect;
- activates metabolic reactions at the cellular level, thereby achieving a high rate of cellular regeneration.
The listed properties of the ointment help to draw out pimples, increase the rate of boil ripening, and restore the structure of the epidermis.
Release form and composition
The high effectiveness of ichthyol ointment (in particular, the ability to draw pus from a pimple) is due to its nominal diversity of composition. The main active element is an extract from rocks - ichthyol (ichthammol), 1 g per 10 g of magic. Additional components are represented mainly by medical Vaseline - 9 g per 10 g.
Liniment is produced by several pharmaceutical companies in different forms:
- composition 10% - in aluminum tubes of 25 or 30 mg for external use, supplied in cardboard boxes with detailed instructions and annotation;
- ointment 20% - packaged in darkened glass jars of 40-1000 g; from some suppliers - polymer jars with a sealed lid - supplied in large cardboard packages with an indication of the composition and recommendations for use.
The drug is also available in the form of rectal suppositories.
Instructions for use
Before applying the medication, it is important to find out how to properly use ichthyol ointment for acne. In short, the method of application consists only of superficial treatment of the skin. To quickly get rid of the disease, it is important to decide on the form of the composition and the concentration of the active element.
- Acne is treated with 10% ointment. Pharmacies sell formulations with 5-30% concentration of the active substance. The safest thing to do is consult a dermatologist, who will recommend the optimal concentration of the drug.
- In some cases, it is better to treat problematic formations with a 10-30% aqueous-alcohol solution, 10% consistency containing glycerin.
Regardless of the location of the acne (under the skin or on its surface), it is enough to apply the pharmaceutical agent to the top of the inflammation. The composition is evenly distributed using cotton swabs or swabs. To eliminate deep indentations on the skin left by acne, it is more effective to use lotions and compresses.
We recommend
Detailed review (instructions for use, reviews) of Ichthyol ointment.
Indications and contraindications
Ichthyol ointment is effective in combating any dermatological damage of bacterial etiology, accompanied by inflammatory processes. It is used as an auxiliary component in complex therapy.
In accordance with the instructions, the drug is indicated for:
- acne, pimples with purulent discharge;
- furunculosis and other acne located under the surface of the skin;
- frostbite, local burns;
- erysipelas, eczema;
- demodicosis;
- streptoderma;
- hidradenitis;
- conjunctivitis, stomatitis;
- gynecological ailments.
Often ointment is prescribed for cuts, small abrasions, and after squeezing out pimples. With its help, pain and inflammation are quickly relieved.
Dermatologists focus on the almost complete absence of contraindications for liniment. It is so safe that it is suitable for pregnant women and children.
Directions for use and doses
To quickly eliminate inflammation, it is recommended to use ichthyol ointment in accordance with the recommendations presented below.
Effective therapeutic regimens or how to use ichthyol ointment correctly:
- To eliminate individual pimples, use a 10-20% ointment composition. It is applied to the base of the pimple and distributed evenly over the skin near the inflammation, but not more than 3 mm. Large pimples must be covered with a gauze bandage, which holds the medicine in the problem area.
Many patients do not know how long to keep the composition on the surface of the skin. Dermatologists recommend applying the medication for no more than 8 hours. On the face – from 40 minutes to 2 hours.
- Acne located deep under the epithelium is treated in a similar way. The main difference is that a patch is applied to the problem area after treatment with ointment. A bandage (a face mask is prepared in a ratio of 1:4, where 4 parts of glycerin are taken for each part of the ointment) is applied overnight. In the morning, the skin is treated with aloe juice.
- Minor rashes are eliminated by uniformly distributing the composition over the surface of the skin, without additional fixation with a bandage.
- In 90% of cases, 10% of the composition is enough to eliminate acne in just one night. In some cases, pus may remain below the surface of the epithelium. In such cases, it is better to re-treat the skin, or remove the top strip yourself with an antiseptic-treated needle.
Dermatologists advise applying Ichthyol ointment when the patient is in no hurry and is at home.
Features of use for acne
Dermatologists recommend taking into account a number of features when using liniment. General recommendations:
- The composition not only relieves inflammation, but also protects the skin from acne spots.
- Before applying ichthyol ointment, it is important to clean the skin, steam it, and treat it with an antiseptic.
- 3-4 days before the therapeutic course, quit smoking and alcoholic beverages.
- After treating the epidermis, it is soothed with chamomile decoction.
- For acne, problematic skin can be smeared with ichthyol ointment.
In order to prevent irritation or peeling of the skin, it is important to exclude contact of the epithelium with other cosmetics, incl. softening.
Side effects
The ointment has virtually no side effects, the only exceptions being allergic reactions due to individual intolerance to ichthyol or petroleum jelly. Side effects:
- Ichthyol ointment for acne on the face can cause itching at the site of application, local swelling, rash or redness. These manifestations disappear after stopping use of the composition.
- After treatment, the skin may darken, but this is only a consequence of the use of liniment.
In 99% of cases, patients do not have any side effects or body reactions to the drug in question.
Contraindications and side effects
The drug in question does not cause any actual side effects, but in some cases the ointment can cause local skin irritations resulting from an allergic reaction. As part of the pathological response of the immune system to the composition of the ointment, the skin may dry out, peel, and redness and rash may form. For this reason, before starting treatment with ichthyol ointment, you need to conduct an allergy test by applying a small amount of the product to the area on the inside of the elbow for a few minutes.
As for contraindications to the use of the product, doctors advise that children under six years of age, as well as people with sensitive skin prone to allergic reactions, should not use the ointment. During pregnancy, the product can be used, but only after consultation with a specialist, in order to avoid negative consequences for both mother and baby.
