Itching treatment
Content:
- Itching treatment with celandine
- Other folk remedies for itching
- List of medicines for itchy skin
- Ketotifen - a remedy for chronic itching
- Glucocorticoids (hormonal agents)
- Why did the allergist prescribe antibiotics?
Itching treatment with celandine
Celandine in the form of tincture and decoction for external use is an effective remedy against itching and skin rashes. To prepare the broth, you need to take a teaspoon of herbal raw materials (celandine in dried form can be purchased at the pharmacy) and pour a glass of boiling water. Insist for fifteen minutes and strain through cheesecloth. The resulting broth can be used to wipe the affected skin or make compresses.
A thick infusion of celandine is used for baths. It is prepared based on the proportion of 10 grams of dry plant per 100 grams of hot water. The mixture is cooled to a temperature of 36-40 ° C and soaked for 10-15 minutes.
Alcohol tincture for rubbing is prepared from one part of a crushed plant into five parts of vodka. To use the tincture as a compress, soak gauze and apply it to the affected areas for 15-20 minutes. To avoid skin irritation, the tincture can be diluted with boiled water.
Read more: Properties, application and treatment with celandine
Other folk remedies for itching
- Lemon balm tea for itching. Lemon balm tea has a soothing effect, relieves skin irritation and reduces itching. For its preparation, a tablespoon of lemon balm herb is brewed with a glass of boiling water and drunk twice a day. Itching treatment should be continued for a month.
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Bath with succession in the treatment of itching. Sequential baths help to alleviate allergic reactions, relieve itching and accelerate skin recovery after breakouts. For two tablespoons of plant materials, take half a glass of hot water, insist for fifteen minutes, cool and wipe the skin with the resulting broth using a cotton swab.
- Treatment of itching with alcohol tincture of calendula. Tincture of calendula is used to treat skin diseases, prevents bacterial infections that can occur when scratching, reduces itching and helps to restore the skin. It can be purchased at a pharmacy or prepared on its own, for which 10 g of crushed plant materials are poured with 70% alcohol, insisted for two weeks. The resulting mixture is filtered through cheesecloth and the affected skin is wiped. In the event of a burning sensation and painful sensations, it is recommended to dilute the tincture with water.
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Propolis for itching. Propolis is a substance used by bees to protect and strengthen honeycombs, has a resinous consistency and has powerful antibacterial properties. In folk medicine, propolis is used to treat skin diseases, burns, ulcers, eczema and rashes. A dressing with propolis ointment relieves itching and irritation 10 minutes after application. For external use, a 10% propolis tincture is also suitable, it is lubricated with the affected areas to eliminate itching and soften the skin.
- Mummy from itching. Shilajit is a natural product, a resinous substance that is extracted from cracks in the rocks. Shilajit is rich in minerals and organic substances that enhance the processes of skin regeneration after damage. In the form of a 2% solution, mummy is used to treat skin rashes - the material is impregnated with a solution and compresses are made for 15-20 minutes, which helps to remove itching and discomfort, prevent infectious and inflammatory processes. For external use, a mummy solution is also used in a ratio of 1 g per 100 ml of liquid. (read also: Recipes for the treatment and use of mummy for stretch marks, for hair)
List of medicines for itchy skin
Which antihistamines to choose?
Medicines for the treatment of itching and allergic rashes are classified into three main groups:
- Antihistamines;
- Glucocorticoids;
- Mast cell membrane stabilizers.
The most popular and extensive group of drugs is antihistamines, which block histamine receptors and prevent the development of an allergic reaction. Thus, within a few hours after taking the drug, itching, swelling and redness subside, rashes become less noticeable. Antihistamines have relatively few contraindications, so you can buy them at any pharmacy without a prescription.
A noticeable side effect after taking antihistamines is drowsiness, but its severity depends on the type of drug. Rare side effects are nausea, dizziness, headache.
Antihistamines are divided into three groups:
- First generation antihistamines are drugs that quickly and effectively relieve an allergic reaction and have a sedative effect. They are taken several times a day, since the effects of their use quickly subside. There are contraindications for drivers and people who work in conditions of an increased risk of injury, since drowsiness is often observed after taking this type of drug. This side effect can be useful if the patient's allergic reactions are accompanied by nervousness and sleep disturbances.
- Antihistamines of the second generation do not give an instant effect, like drugs of the first generation, but their effect lasts for a day, so there is no need to take them 2-3 times a day. Sedation is less pronounced, so that after taking them, a person can work normally. The allergic reaction begins to subside within an hour after using the medication.
- Third-generation antihistamines are drugs with a minimal sedative effect; drowsiness in patients after taking it is extremely rare.
Comparative characteristics of antihistamines:
| Contraindications | ||
| First generation drugs: | ||
| Suprastin | Effectively relieves allergic reaction 30 minutes after application, the effect lasts from 3 to 5 hours. It is prescribed for adults and children from 1 month in case of allergic skin reactions to animal bites and with atopic dermatitis. | Do not use for pregnant women, during lactation, as well as for patients during an attack of bronchial asthma. |
| Tavegil | Quickly and effectively relieves itching, while side effects in the form of drowsiness are less pronounced than that of Suprastin. Validity after a single dose - 12 hours, allowed for use by children from 6 years old. | Diseases of the respiratory system, lower respiratory tract, pregnancy and lactation. |
| Diazolin | Allowed for use at any age, anti-allergic properties are weak. It is not addictive, so it can be used for a long time. | The drug is contraindicated in pregnant and lactating mothers, as well as in patients with epilepsy, digestive disorders (acute stage of peptic ulcer disease), prostate adenoma, glaucoma and arrhythmia. |
| Second generation drugs: | ||
| Claritin, Claridol, LoraHexal (drugs based on loratadine) | The first results are felt within an hour after ingestion, and the maximum effect appears after 10 hours. The drug is drunk once a day. The likelihood of side effects is minimal. | Not prescribed for children under three years of age, nursing mothers. For women during pregnancy, use with caution and only as directed by a doctor. Contraindications for patients with intolerance to lactose, fructose or other components of the drug. |
| Zyrtec, Cetrin, Zodak (preparations based on ceterizine) | Absorption occurs in the digestive tract, the effect is noticeable within 20 minutes. They are not addictive, so they can be taken in long courses. The effect of the drug is noticeable for 2-3 days from the last dose. | Do not appoint young children under 6 years of age, women during lactation and patients with renal failure. In older patients, the risk of edema formation after drug administration increases. |
| Third generation drugs: | ||
| Erius | It is prescribed for the treatment of chronic skin rashes, urticaria. The drug has a long-term effect from 24 to 48 hours, does not affect the ability to concentrate, active attention. | Contraindicated in pregnant and lactating mothers, as well as children under 12 years of age and patients with renal insufficiency. |
| Telfast | It is prescribed for chronic dermatosis, which is accompanied by itching. The drug has a prolonged effect and does not cause drowsiness. | Kidney or liver disorders, cardiac disorders, pregnancy and lactation period, age under 12 years. |
Ketotifen - a remedy for chronic itching
Mast cell membrane blockers are another group of drugs that are used to treat chronic itching. Their mechanism of action is also to prevent an allergic reaction. So, when an allergen enters the body, immunoglobulins begin to be produced in it, which, when in contact with cells of the immune system (mast cells), cause the release of histamines. Histamines are responsible for the further course of an allergic reaction with all its characteristic manifestations - skin redness, itching, swelling.
Ketotifen disrupts the interaction of immunoglobulins and mast cells, thus blocking the release of histamine and the subsequent allergic reaction. Drugs in this group do not act immediately, so they are not suitable for stopping acute attacks of allergies. The first effects appear after a week of constant use, the maximum effect can be observed after 1-2 months.
Ketotifen is prescribed for chronic allergic rashes such as eczema, urticaria, or atopic dermatitis. It cannot be used by women during pregnancy, lactation, as well as small children under three years old. Possible side effects include drowsiness, nervousness and irritability, dry mouth and increased appetite, most of which disappear after the first week of administration.
Glucocorticoids (hormonal agents)
This is the most powerful group of drugs aimed at combating allergic rashes and itching. Glucocorticoids act on all types of cells responsible for an allergic reaction - mast cells, eosinophils and leukocytes. However, due to the large number of side effects, glucocorticoids are prescribed only in the most severe cases. Among the negative manifestations after taking these drugs are indigestion, blood pressure, headaches, and these are far from the most dangerous of all possible side effects.
Glucocorticoids are prescribed for patients who have tried treatment with ketotifen and antihistamines but have not been successful. It is prescribed in cases where allergic rashes occupy a significant area of the skin, causing serious damage and pain. Hormonal drugs - prednisone, dexamethasone - are taken no longer than 10 days only as prescribed by a doctor.
Why did the allergist prescribe antibiotics?
Antibiotics do not prevent an allergic reaction or help treat itching, but a doctor may prescribe it if an infection occurs. Pustular infection often accompanies allergic rashes, it is brought in by the patient himself while scratching the itchy skin.
The doctor can prescribe antibiotics only after special tests. A scraping is taken from the skin, sowing is done in order to determine the sensitivity of this microorganism to antibiotics. Most often, in this case, broad-spectrum antibiotics are prescribed for a course of up to 10 days. The drugs in this group are penicillin, cephalosporins, macrolides.
The author of the article: Sokolova Nina Vladimirovna | Phytotherapist
Education: Diploma in "General Medicine" and "Therapy" received at the Pirogov University (2005 and 2006). Advanced training at the Department of Phytotherapy at the Peoples' Friendship University of Moscow (2008).
