Acyclovir ointment is used to treat herpes lesions of the eyes, skin and mucous membranes. Many people know that quite a salve to anoint the "cold" on the lips, as we began to fill with liquid bubbles, immediately dry on. The same effect is obtained when applying the ointment during recurrence of genital herpes, herpes zoster, and chickenpox.

How does

Available 5% acyclovir ointment for external use, and 3% ophthalmic ointment. Ointment for external application operates mainly locally, acyclovir into the blood stream in very small quantities. When applied to the healthy skin it is almost not absorbed, it is not specified in the blood and urine. For virus in the herpes skin cream and a little absorbed into the blood and then excreted by the kidneys. Penetrating into the tissue, an ointment acyclovir activates enzymes that are released virus-infected cells. Activated acyclovir freely penetrate into diseased cells and blocks their reproduction. In healthy cells, he does not penetrate. As a result of such action bubbles on the skin and mucous membranes begin prisyhat, and new ones are not formed.

3% ophthalmic ointment also has a topical acyclovir rapidly penetrates the surface layers of the cornea, resulting in the aqueous humor is produced the desired concentration. Effective acyclovir ophthalmic ointment form as well as in the form of an ointment for topical application.

Ointment active acyclovir against herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2, as well as against the virus that causes chickenpox and shingles (herpes zoster).

In what cases and how to assign an ointment acyclovir

3% acyclovir ophthalmic ointment is indicated for herpetic keratitis caused by herpes simplex virus Herpes simplex - in fact, not so simple   1 and type 2. Keratitis - an inflammation of the cornea, which can lead to blindness. In this disease, 3% acyclovir ointment for a lower eyelid in the form of extruded strips, 1 cm 5 times per day. Treatment is continued until complete recovery, plus another three days.

5% acyclovir ointment for external use is indicated for cold sores on the skin and mucous membranes caused by the herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2, including the genital herpes. In addition, an ointment applied to the affected skin and mucous membranes of varicella and herpes zoster Shingles and chickenpox - from the same pathogen In which the skin is affected by the nerves. This helps to prevent the spread of infection, as the skin and mucous membranes and the internal organs. Under the influence of acyclovir herpes rash ointment in the form of bubbles quickly dries and turns into brown.

For external and topical treatment of herpes infections is particularly important that treatment is started as early as possible when there are very early signs of the disease - in this case, the treatment will be most effective. The ointment is applied in a thin layer to the affected skin and mucous membranes five times a day for five to ten days, until all the bubbles finally become brown.

Contraindications

Acyclovir ointment as ophthalmic and topical contraindicated in case of hypersensitivity to the drug, as well as during feeding baby Breastfeeding - a personal choice   breast, since the ointment can be absorbed into the blood and is excreted in breast milk.

With caution and only on prescription ointment acyclovir can be used during pregnancy. In this case, the doctor decides how necessary is the appointment of women and how it will be dangerous for the baby.

Side effects

Acyclovir generally gives not so many side effects and is well tolerated in any desired dosage forms. When applied topically for the treatment of herpetic lesions of the eye ointment 3% acyclovir Acyclovir - as it is safe?   can irritate the tissues of the eye surface and the inflammatory process in the edges of the eyelids (blepharitis), the conjunctiva (conjunctivitis) and the cornea (keratitis).

For external use 5% acyclovir ointment may also cause the place of its imposition on the skin and mucous membranes burning, itching, redness, dryness and peeling of the skin, rashes on the skin, mucous membranes - Inflammation, swelling and redness.

Prolonged use of topical ointments or topical may increase any side effects. Poisoning is possible only if accidentally swallowed ointment.

And outside, and local application may cause allergic reactions that manifest themselves in the form of rash (including in the form of hives), angioedema subcutaneous tissue and so on. In the case of allergy to acyclovir ointment should be lifted immediately.

Acyclovir ointment - an effective tool for preventing and treating symptoms of herpes infection.

Galina Romanenko

Can I swim chickenpox? Most domestic pediatricians swim while chickenpox is not recommended. However, many, both domestic and foreign counterparts their opposite recommend bathing, even several times a day. So who is right and how to act sick?

When you can swim chickenpox - the traditional recommendation

Traditionally chickenpox Chickenpox: painful, but not dangerous   it is not recommended to wet the elements of the rash as long as they are not covered with thick crusts. These recommendations have a grain of truth: soaked bubbles contribute to the spread of infection on the surface of the skin, because they contain a large number of viruses.

In addition, water treatments, even the most carefully conducted, may help to ensure that bubbles with serous contents burst in damaged skin gets a bacterial infection, constantly living on the surface of the body. And it is fraught with complications - the addition of the secondary purulent infection. More often than not due to violation of the integrity of the bubbles develop complications such as abscesses. Cellulitis and pustular rash. On the skin surface, it may then enter the bloodstream to other organs and tissues, as well as in the lymph nodes, causing suppurative inflammation.

So when you can bathe after a windmill according to traditional guidelines? Normally, if no bacterial complications, bathing allowed after all the bubbles on the skin covered with thick crusts. After that, you can swim, but not using a washcloth and without rubbing with a towel after swimming (the skin to gently blot or just give it to dry). Loofah can be used after the falling away crusts.

Can I swim chickenpox - current recommendations

In accordance with modern ideas swimming during chickenpox is not only possible, but advisable, and several times a day. This is not to use detergent, rubbing his hands and wipe the skin after bathing towel - after bathing you just need to wait when the skin obsohnet then get dressed. Water treatments can take a shower or bath. In the latter case, the bath can add antiseptics, e.g., a solution of manganese (water bath should be to slightly pink). Water treatments should be brief.

These recommendations also is rational, since a patient with chickenpox can sweat, his skin is irritated by this and strongly itches. Theoretically this is correct, but it is hard to imagine how you can several times a day to bathe the child, without damaging a single bubble.

Bathing after chickenpox, these experts recommend spending as well as in the traditional recommendations.

Today, many experts recommend after bathing apply calamine lotion to the skin, which consists of zinc carbonate (calamine), zinc oxide, purified water, glycerin, Glycerine: a miracle ingredient for skin and hair , Liquefied phenol, bentonite (medical clay), sodium citrate (producer - Israeli company Ben Simon Floris).

Calamine lotion has anti-inflammatory, dries, antipruritic, soothing, cooling effect of the skin. It also has an antibacterial effect, prevents the accession of secondary infection and the transition bubbly rash pustular, the formation of abscesses and abscesses in the skin. At the same time reduces swelling, inflammation and irritation of the skin, as well as the further spread of the rash on the skin.

After application to the skin calamine lotion protects it from any external irritating factors and further promotes more rapid restoration of the skin surface layers without risk of scarring after large bubbles.

Calamine lotion can start to put on the baby's skin before the arrival of the doctor, but you should pay attention to how the child moves this drug, if he had an allergic reaction Allergic reactions: how to understand why you tickle in the throat . In case of redness, swelling Prevention and treatment of edema - it is important to understand the root cause   skin and enhance itching and burning calamine lotion should be lifted immediately.

Bathing chickenpox - whom to listen to the patient?

Since the opinions of experts about swimming during chickenpox diverge sharply raises the question of how to do the same patient? This question can be answered quite clearly: should comply with all recommendations of your doctor. Once he gives certain recommendations, so he has some experience in this matter. And as the doctor responsible for the patient, his recommendations to be trusted.

Bathe or bathe the child during a chickenpox? Trust in the matter doctor.

Galina Romanenko