Ichthyol ointment is widely used to treat various inflammatory skin diseases. Ichthyol ointment for acne on the face is used with great success, as evidenced by reviews of people who have experienced it themselves. Therefore, when asked whether it is possible to smear acne with Ichthyol ointment, doctors answer that it is not only possible, but also necessary. This is a cheap and effective remedy that has proven itself especially well against purulent inflammatory elements. Information on how the ointment works on acne and how to use the product is in the review below.
General description of the drug
The product based on ichthyol has a thin consistency, black, and when applied to the skin, brown in color with a characteristic odor. It is available in metal tubes, glass and plastic jars.
The composition includes only ichthyol (ichthammol), which contains about 10% sulfur compounds and an auxiliary substance - petroleum jelly.
The concentration of the active substance (ichthyol) is 10 or 20%. It is extracted by dry distillation of sedimentary rocks with a high content of organic substances.
Treatment of other diseases
Among the indications for the active substance in Russia, neuralgia and arthritis are mentioned, but not in all instructions for the drug. Scientific laboratories in the West have studied the ability of ichthammol to treat osteoarthritis, bruises and sprains.
For neuralgia and arthritis, apply 10-20% ichthyol in an even layer to the affected area and rub into the skin. Then apply a bandage, which is changed after 1-3 days.
The external product Ichthammol 50% is produced abroad and is prescribed for joint sprains, bursitis and other orthopedic indications.
Ichthyol is used for exacerbation of hemorrhoids, eczema and dermatitis in the anus. The use of the product helps reduce pain and inflammation.
Treat painful nodes with Ichthyol ointment for hemorrhoids or apply it on a cotton swab into the rectum twice a day after hygiene procedures. You can alternate with the use of rectal suppositories with the same active ingredient.
The use of Ichthyol ointment for sinusitis is possible only outside periods of exacerbation of the disease. The medicine is applied to a cotton swab and injected into the cleansed nasal passage for 10-15 minutes. Use a drug containing 10% ichthammol.
Ichthyol ointment in gynecology is prescribed for bacterial infections of the female genital organs in the form of a mixture with glycerin (1:1).
Used for salpingitis, inflammatory processes in the ovaries and uterine tissue (parametritis). Moisten a cotton swab with the prepared mixture and administer as directed.
Composition and beneficial properties
Ichthyol as a component of the ointment contains a large amount of sulfur. It is thanks to this ingredient that the ointment has the following properties:
- reduces pain, relieves inflammation and swelling;
- has an antiseptic effect against pathogenic microorganisms;
- improves blood flow and tone of blood vessels; resolves the infiltrate.
It turns out that the ointment acts on several stages of the acne development process at once: it relieves inflammation, reduces pain and destroys pathogenic microorganisms.
Operating principle
How does ichthyol ointment work? The instructions and reviews from experts report that the effectiveness of this drug is due to the presence of an active substance such as ichthammol.
When exposed directly to the skin and mucous membranes, the mentioned ingredient has a local irritating effect on the sensitive endings of nerve fibers. Gradually, mild irritation is replaced by a decrease in the sensitivity of the latter. As a result of this, reflexes develop that change the trophism of tissues.
It should also be noted that the active ingredient of the product in question causes denaturation of protein molecules.
The drug is absorbed into the skin and mucous membranes, and has a positive effect on inflamed areas and subcutaneous layers (including in combination with alcohol).
It should also be noted that the use of the ointment helps restore blood circulation, regulate the tone of blood vessels, improve metabolism and increase the elasticity of the skin.
The analgesic effect of the drug on the deep layers of soft tissue appears several hours after treatment of the painful area.
Indications for use
Acne or acne disease is manifested by various types of neoplasms, which are usually called in one word “pimples”. This concept includes open and closed comedones, pustules and papules and any other formations accompanied by pain and purulent inflammation. Therefore, when looking for an answer to the question of whether Ichthyol ointment helps with acne, you should decide what specific type of rash is meant.
Due to the ability to dissolve the contents of the abscess, first of all, Ichthyol ointment will help against subcutaneous pimples, colds, boils, which, as they mature, protrude above the surface of the skin and open with the rejection of pus.
Ichthyol ointment is also used to treat other pustular skin lesions caused by the invasion of staphylococci and streptococci: folliculitis, hidradenitis, ecthyma, etc.
Special conditions of use
There is only one direct contraindication for ichthyol - individual intolerance to the components. If there is no information about the presence or absence of an allergic reaction, before using Ichthyol ointment for acne, you should do a simple test at home. To do this, apply a small amount of the product to the skin of the wrist or the inside of the elbow and wait a quarter of an hour. In the absence of burning, redness and itching, the product can be applied to the inflamed elements.
The active components of the substance do not penetrate into the systemic bloodstream, so it is safe for the fetus and child during breastfeeding and can, after consulting a doctor, be used to treat acne during this period of time when other medications are prohibited.
Cases when it is not recommended to use ichthyol ointment for acne:
- for the treatment of acne in children under 6 years of age;
- within a week after the chemical peeling and laser resurfacing procedure.
In general, Ichthyol ointment for acne, reviews of the use of which can be found on various thematic forums, is very well tolerated and only in extremely rare cases causes irritation.
An overdose from excessive application of ointment to the skin has not been recorded. In this case, contact of the substance with the mucous membranes of the mouth and eyes should be avoided. If this happens, rinse immediately with water.
When using Ichthyol ointment for acne, the method of application is as follows: distribute the product exclusively onto closed ulcers pointwise or in an even thin layer for large affected areas. It is not recommended to apply ichthyol to open wounds and ulcers left after opening acne. For these purposes, Vishnevsky’s liniment is better suited. Often these two drugs are considered analogues in the treatment of pustular acne, which is incorrect. Ichthyol accelerates the ripening of boils, and Vishnevsky's liniment heals the wound after opening and rejection of pus.
Solcoseryl ointment
There are two forms in the pharmacy - ointment and gel. For the face you need ointment. This is simply a super remedy not only for wrinkles. It also perfectly evens out the skin texture, removes redness, and (most importantly!) brightens the blood vessels. If there is rosacea on the face, the ointment makes it less noticeable. I also don’t recommend it under the eyes – it’s too heavy and greasy.
After application, the face turns a little red, but this is normal. The next morning there will be no redness - only an even tone and face lift
