The healing properties of the compress have been known since ancient times. Even without medical education, almost everyone knows how to make a compress. This method of treatment is considered traditional, but many doctors also use it in their practice.
A compress is a dry or wet bandage.. Dry is used for bruises, cooling and to protect against contamination in wounds. The action of the wet occurs due to the temperature effect.
Among them are:
- Cold;
- Warming;
- Hot.
Warming is the simplest and most effective way to combat colds, pain in muscles and joints, and inflammation. In addition, the warming bandage has virtually no contraindications. They can be used even when treating children and pregnant women, but very carefully, as there is a high probability of getting a burn. Therefore, you need to know how to make an alcohol compress.
To prepare the mixture, it is most often used ethyl alcohol or vodka. Alcohol must be diluted with water in a ratio of 1:3. It is better to heat the resulting solution in a water bath to 37.5 C. Patients with sensitive skin and children are advised to first lubricate the sore spot with oil or rich cream. Wet a thick piece of gauze or bandage and apply it to the inflamed area.
The bandage with the solution must be covered with film, leaving 2 cm on all sides, and wrapped with a warm scarf or scarf on top to enhance the warming effect.
Alcohol compress dilates blood vessels in the area of the body being used, increases blood flow and saturates with oxygen, which helps relieve pain and inflammation.
A compress made from store-bought vodka is also widely used for various diseases. It should be noted that many people who practice this treatment prefer vodka instead of alcohol to prepare the mixture. Vodka has a gentler effect on the skin and does not leave burns. Many people wonder how to make a vodka compress correctly so that there is a positive result. The principle of its preparation is practically no different from alcohol.
How to make a compress from vodka?
To retain heat for as long as possible, you need to know how to make a vodka compress correctly. Vodka is not diluted to treat an adult. However, for children it is better to add water in a 1:1 ratio. To prepare the mixture, you need to use a sealed bottle of vodka, since the alcohol evaporates very quickly. A correctly applied bandage slightly warms the skin without burning or cooling. Severe redness of the skin after removing the bandage indicates a burn.
Often colds are accompanied by a sore throat, runny nose, and a cough may appear. If treatment is not done in a timely manner, complications such as otitis media or sinusitis often occur. Warming body bandages are very helpful in curing colds and preventing complications.
Alcohol and vodka compress, along with the positive effect, also has a number of contraindications. It cannot be used:
When body temperature is high, the use of warming bandages is prohibited. But at the same time, rubbing the patient with alcohol and vodka is allowed. Vinegar is great for reducing body temperature. You can use an acetic-alcohol solution. To do this, take a tablespoon of vinegar and the same amount of alcohol and dilute it with 0.5 liters of water. Then the patient’s entire body is rubbed with the mixture and fanned. Thus, the heat leaves the body faster and the temperature begins to drop.
A vodka or alcohol compress is one of the simplest and most effective methods for severe pain in muscles, joints and inflammation. In addition, they have an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect and help destroy pathogenic bacteria, which leads to a speedy recovery.
Using a vodka compress for a bruise will help eliminate possible negative consequences and acts on the site of injury as a pain reliever. The warming effect is also widely used to relieve joint pain. A warm bandage begins to be applied to the site of the injury on the second day after the injury. Fabric soaked in vodka helps relieve swelling and pain from a dislocation, bruise or sprain.
People suffering from calluses and corns will benefit from applying a compress to their feet. The technology for applying such a bandage is as simple as possible, but the effect is equivalent to an expensive salon procedure. Gauze soaked in vodka is applied to pre-steamed legs. Cover the top with film and put on warm woolen socks. The procedure should be carried out before bedtime, but can be left overnight. The bandage must be applied until the desired effect is achieved. To improve the result, you can add lemon juice to the vodka.
Doctors appreciated the healing power of heat back in ancient times. One such solution is an alcohol compress made from vodka, which has a deep warming effect. Dilute ethyl alcohol does not burn the skin and does not have a strong unpleasant odor, like some other warming preparations, so vodka compresses are suitable for almost everyone. They can be given even to pregnant women and children over 3 years old (if there are no additional contraindications).
Choice of alcohol base. At home, a compress is made from vodka or pure ethyl (can be medical) alcohol diluted with water to 40%. Moonshine in this case is undesirable because it contains harmful impurities. To avoid skin irritation, the strength of the alcohol base should not exceed 40 degrees. Further on in the article, the terms vodka (from vodka) and alcohol (from alcohol) mean one product.
Operating principle. In the area to which the alcohol compress is applied, blood vessels dilate, blood flow increases, the removal of toxins is accelerated, and the tissues are saturated with oxygen. Such compresses relieve pain, inflammation and swelling.
In addition, alcohol is an excellent solvent. If you add healing herbal extracts to the vodka (alcohol) intended for the compress, the beneficial substances will be absorbed into the blood vessels much faster.
What does it help with? Vodka (alcohol) compresses are recommended for the following diseases:
- cough, sore throat and sore throat (except for the purulent form);
- colds and hypothermia, if there is no temperature;
- otitis (except for the purulent form);
- joint pain;
- bruises, sprains and muscles;
- bumps that appear after injections;
- the appearance of corns;
- thrombophlebitis, varicose veins and gout;
- radiculitis and back pain.
Contraindications to the use of vodka compresses
Vodka compresses should not be used in cases where the body temperature is above 36.9° C, in children under 3 years of age, and also in the presence of:
- oncological diseases;
- purulent otitis;
- purulent sore throat;
- bronchitis;
- acute thrombophlebitis;
- hypertension;
- heart diseases;
- damage to the skin, open wounds, ulcers, trophic ulcers;
- allergic rashes.
How to make an alcohol compress
Vodka compresses, regardless of which part of the body they are applied to, have the same structure:
- the bottom layer is cotton or linen fabric, which is moistened with vodka or ethyl alcohol diluted to 40 degrees, and then wrung out well;
- middle layer – polyethylene or special waxed (so-called compress) paper;
- the top layer is warm woolen fabric.
To keep the wet layer from cooling, the middle layer should be 2 cm wider and longer than the bottom one, and the top layer should be 2 cm wider and longer than the middle one. If the patient feels chills, it means that the alcohol compress was placed incorrectly: the lower layer is not tightly covered by the upper ones.
When treating a child or a person with sensitive skin, the area where the vodka compress will be placed is first lubricated with olive oil or baby cream. For children from 3 to 7 years old, vodka can be diluted with water to 20-25 degrees. The compress is fixed on top with a bandage so that all three layers are held firmly, but the bandage does not press on the vessels and does not interfere with blood flow.
The duration of action of any alcohol compress is 2–4 hours. If it is applied at night, the person can keep the bandage on until the morning, but during the day it is advisable to periodically renew the alcohol base.
Features of vodka compresses for various diseases
For sore throat. A vodka compress is placed on the neck. Under no circumstances should it cover the area in front where the thyroid gland is located. After the compress is removed, you need to stay warm for 12 hours. An alcohol compress promotes the transition of a dry cough into a wet one, improving sputum separation.
For a cold. If, during hypothermia or a cold, the body temperature does not rise above 36.9 ° C, you can put a vodka compress on the chest or back. To enhance the effect, you can lubricate the corresponding area of skin with goose fat before the procedure.
For otitis media (in the ear). To warm up the ear during otitis media, the most important thing is that liquid does not get into the ear canal. Therefore, it is better to make a compress not in one piece, but to cut a hole in it for the auricle.
A square with a side of 7–9 cm is cut out of cotton or linen fabric, a hole is made in the middle, the fabric is soaked in vodka (alcohol) and put on the ear. Wax paper is placed on top and a cotton pad is placed on it. The front part of the compress can be attached to the cheek with an adhesive tape. The compress is fixed with a bandage, which is wrapped around the head and tied under the chin. A warm scarf or wide woolen scarf is worn on top. It is recommended to keep this compress for no more than 4 hours.
For joint pain. Due to the warming effect, vodka compresses are good for inflammation and pain in the joints. If the pain is very severe, you can use a method that is often recommended by sports doctors:
- smear the sore spot with Vishnevsky ointment (balsamic liniment according to Vishnevsky);
- Apply a vodka compress on top.
For bruises, sprains and ligaments. A vodka compress can be applied no earlier than one day after the injury: on the first day, only cold lotions are applied.
For bumps that appear after injections. As a result of injections, very painful hardenings – lumps – appear on the buttocks. They will resolve much more quickly if you lubricate the problem areas with baby cream at night, and stick small alcohol compresses on top with a band-aid (a cotton pad is used as the top layer of such a compress). The remedy will be more effective if you alternate it with cakes made from honey and rye flour. Such cakes should be kept for no more than 2–3 hours.
For corns. In order to get rid of corns, you need to dissolve 100 grams of table or sea salt in 5 liters of water heated to 40°C in the evening before going to bed and soak your feet in this bath for 15–20 minutes. Then dry your feet well, apply a piece of cotton cloth soaked in vodka to both soles, put plastic bags on your feet, cotton socks on top, and wool socks on them. In the morning, corns can be easily removed using pumice. After the procedure, your feet should be lubricated with a nourishing cream.
For thrombophlebitis, varicose veins and gout. Vodka compresses not only relieve pain from subcutaneous thrombophlebitis, varicose veins and gout, but also promote the resorption of “stars”. It is recommended to apply compresses at night, after a contrast shower. It is best to use not ordinary vodka as a liquid for a compress, but a tincture of flowers or fruits of horse chestnut, acacia flowers.
For radiculitis. Alcohol compresses are quite effective in relieving pain from radiculitis. After a warming compress, it is not recommended to leave the room for 12 hours.
A mixture of 150 g of vodka, 100 g of honey and 50 g of aloe juice has an even stronger effect. A compress with this composition is applied to the back and lower back in the evening, before bed, and washed off in the morning with warm water.
Attention! Self-medication can be harmful to health. Consult your doctor before use.
Therapy for arthrosis is more effective if systemic treatment is combined with local treatment. A popular method of local treatment is applying compresses to the sore joint. For them, both pharmaceutical preparations and compositions prepared according to folk recipes are used. Alcohol-based compresses relieve pain and inflammation well. If the joint is deep (hip), the application has a therapeutic effect on the soft tissues, but not on the joint itself. Therefore, for coxarthrosis, local therapy methods are rarely resorted to. But placing a vodka compress on the knee joint is convenient, and the effect is pronounced. For arthrosis, compresses are made from cabbage, with dimexide, bischofite, salt, gelatin and others.
Effect of vodka compress
Knees most often suffer from injuries, hypothermia, and overload. Arthrosis is just one of the possible causes of knee pain. If the knee joints hurt, become very swollen, and swell, this indicates an inflammatory process. It can be associated either with arthritis or with reactive synovitis, which complicates gonarthrosis. Inflammation is treated with the help, but these drugs have many side effects. Compresses for knee joints act quickly, since the effect is applied directly to the affected area. Local treatment allows you to reduce the dosage of NSAIDs, reduce the drug burden on the body and the risk of side effects.
This is why compresses for arthrosis of the knee joint are so popular. Often, you can use improvised means that can be found in any home. For example, to make an alcohol compress on your knee, you don’t have to go to the pharmacy.
It is effective not only for arthrosis, but also for a number of other diseases and pathological conditions with pain syndrome:
- for arthritis, periarthritis;
- after injuries, bruises, but not earlier than one day after the injury;
- with painful compactions at the sites of injections or punctures (but not with a purulent abscess);
- with acute thrombophlebitis.
Contraindications also include:
- any violation of the integrity of the skin (scratches, abrasions, wounds);
- dermatological diseases and rashes of an allergic nature at the site of exposure;
- purulent processes;
- temperature increase;
- individual hypersensitivity to alcohol.
Oncological diseases, tumors in the pelvic organs, including benign ones, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases are among the relative contraindications to applying a vodka compress to the joints.
Overlay technique
If the technique is not followed, the procedure will not be beneficial and may even cause harm. Therefore, it is important to know how to properly make an alcohol-based compress. First of all, you need to use medical alcohol or high-quality vodka without impurities, fusel oils, and dilute them with water. If 96% alcohol is used, it is diluted 1:3 for the knee joint, and if the application will be made on an area with more delicate skin, including the inner surface of the knee, a ratio of 1:5 is recommended. Vodka and water are diluted 1:1. It is better to apply a compress to the knee before going to bed, so that after removing it, the heated area does not cool down. Vodka applications need to be changed frequently, so they are usually not left overnight.
Hot and cold vodka compresses
Vodka compresses are divided into hot and cold. Both relieve pain, but for synovitis of the knee joint and other inflammatory processes, cold is preferable. An important secret to making an alcohol-based compress effective is that the gauze soaked in vodka should fit tightly to the skin. Another important point: you need to minimize the evaporation of alcohol. To do this, wax paper or film is placed over the alcohol-containing application; it should cover the first layer with a margin of 1 cm on all sides. Then comes an insulating layer of cotton wool (you can wrap the previous layers with a woolen scarf). If instead of warmth you feel coolness, chills, a compress with vodka on the knee joint is applied incorrectly.
Cold and hot compresses for sore joints are made according to the same scheme, but for cold compresses the liquid is not heated, it needs to be changed every 20 minutes and kept for an hour. Hot is done like this:
- gauze is folded into several layers, moistened in heated diluted vodka (liquid temperature 50–60°), wrung out and applied to the knee;
- The remaining layers are applied on top and secured with a bandage. The fixing bandage should not compress the leg or interfere with blood circulation;
- It is recommended to change the gauze every 5–10 minutes to maintain the temperature, the total duration of the procedure is 2–6 hours.
The use of alcohol tinctures
For arthrosis, joint and muscle pain, it is preferable to make a compress on the knee not with pure alcohol (vodka), but with an alcohol tincture of medicinal herbs, hot pepper, and a solution of formic acid (the so-called formic alcohol).
Here are some recipes:
- pour 100 g of mullein flowers with a bottle of vodka, leave for 20 days, strain. Use cold, preferably left overnight;
- Infuse fragrant violet leaves in alcohol or vodka for a week (50/100 ml per 40 g of leaves), keep the lotion for 40 minutes, repeat 5-6 times a day;
- compresses with cinquefoil tincture last for an hour, 3–4 procedures per day are recommended;
- for hemarthrosis (hemorrhage into the joint cavity), bruises with hematomas, alcohol tincture of bodyaga helps well;
- a mixture of vodka with onion or garlic juice relieves inflammation well, promotes the resorption of swelling; such applications last no longer than an hour;
- keep the lotion with capsicum tincture for a maximum of 10 minutes; for the first time, the tincture should be diluted with water; if the sensations are normal, you can use undiluted;
- formic alcohol is used to rub the knees 2-3 times a day, after which the sore spot is wrapped in a woolen scarf.
Compresses with dimexide
Dimexide for joints is used in the form of compresses, as part of ointments, and electrophoresis with dimexide 25% concentration is also carried out. This drug has pronounced anti-inflammatory activity, relieves pain, eliminates swelling, promotes the resorption of blood clots and hematomas. The use of dimexide for joints is due to the fact that this drug penetrates deep into the tissue and reaches the joint cavity. In addition, it promotes deeper penetration of other drugs; this property is used when carrying out electrophoresis and phonophoresis.
Dimexide should not be confused with dioxidine. Dioxidin is an antibacterial drug, it is instilled into the ears and nose, used for washing cavities for abscesses in the lungs, in the form of applications for purulent wounds, infected burns, trophic ulcers against the background of thrombophlebitis, diabetes. Arthrosis is not an indication for the use of this drug.
Can only be done as prescribed by a doctor, in the absence of hypersensitivity and other contraindications. It is important not to exceed the concentration and exposure time; if you do not dilute dimexide or keep the application for too long, you can cause a burn. The drug is diluted with boiled or distilled water, usually in equal proportions; less often, 1 part dimexide is taken to 2 parts water. A less concentrated solution is prepared if a compress with dimexide is applied to the inside of the knee, where the skin is more delicate. A compress of dimexide is applied similarly to vodka, lasts for half an hour, the recommended course of treatment is 2 weeks. Do not use dyed fabric, as dimexide dissolves the paint.
Dimexide for synovitis can be used in combination with hormonal drugs, and for severe pain syndrome - with the local anesthetic novocaine. Dimexide enhances the effect of other drugs and transports them to the lesion.
Any compresses based on it last for half an hour, here are a few recipes:
- mix equal parts of 30% dimexide and 2% novocaine, insulate;
- mix 50 ml of 50% dimexide, 30 ml of 2% novocaine and lukewarm boiled water, an ampoule of hydrocortisone. Cover the wet layer with film, but do not insulate it, the course of treatment is 3 weeks;
- For 50 ml of water, take a tablespoon of 50% dimexide and 1 ampoule of dexamethasone, treat for 10–14 days.
Salt and cabbage compresses
Salt compresses are actively used in the treatment of arthrosis. Salt perfectly draws excess fluid from inflamed, swollen tissues, and also nourishes the joints. Sea salt contains especially many valuable minerals. The recipes are varied:
- a wet salt compress is indicated for acute inflammatory processes; to prepare it, take a tablespoon of salt in a glass of very hot water, generously moisten a gauze cloth, cover with film and insulate, keep for 6 hours;
- in the absence of inflammation, make a hot compress of salt and sand, heat it, pour it into a flat cloth bag, and wrap it around the joint;
- for severe pain, salt is mixed with snow or poured onto a napkin moistened with ice water;
- A mixture of salt and mustard powder will help restore blood circulation. It is poured onto a bandage moistened with hot water, covered with film on top, and insulated. Keep for up to 6 hours or until a strong burning sensation appears.
The most popular folk remedy for arthrosis is. The simplest option: crush or beat the leaf so that the juice appears, and bandage it to the knee, covering it with film. To enhance the effect, you can lubricate the leaf with honey. They also soak gauze with the squeezed juice and bandage finely shredded cabbage to the knee, which should release the juice. You can mix equal parts of juice, water and dimexide.
The leaf is used as a plaster, onto which various compositions are applied:
- 1 spoon each of honey and mustard powder, 3 spoons of camphor oil;
- a mixture of honey with crushed aspirin (2 tablets per teaspoon), you can add flour for thickness.
This is not a complete list of compresses that can be done for gonarthrosis and arthrosis of other joints. It must be borne in mind that such treatment alleviates symptoms, improves blood supply to the joint, but cannot slow down the process of destruction of articular cartilage. Only compresses with gelatin can compensate for collagen deficiency, but taking gelatin orally is more effective.
There are contraindications to the use of compresses, including those prepared according to traditional recipes. Therefore, such therapy must be coordinated with a doctor and a sensitivity test must be done. Treatment with compresses cannot replace systemic drug therapy, but complements it well.
The famous Russian vodka can be not only an indicator of the truth. No less famous is a vodka compress for coughs. Cough is a common symptom of colds, causing a lot of inconvenience to a person. Convulsive, paroxysmal, dry, irritating to the throat and wet, provoking vomiting - a vodka compress successfully copes with any type of cough.
Advantages of compresses
The healing power of warming was valued by ancient healers. Vodka has the best heating properties for the body. It (unlike pure alcohol) does not burn the skin and does not have a sharp, repulsive odor. Vodka compresses are allowed even for children over 3 years old for the treatment of dry and wet cough.
To make a vodka compress, it is better to use pure vodka. But it can also be done using medical alcohol (alcohol is diluted with water up to 40%). Moonshine is not suitable, as it contains additional harmful impurities. It’s not for nothing that vodka compresses have won people’s respect, because they:
- Effective.
- Easy to prepare.
- Economical and affordable.
- They do not cause harm to the body in the form of side effects.
A vodka compress for cough instantly warms the patient’s body and dilates the blood vessels at the site of application. Relieves and stops inflammatory processes in this area. The effectiveness of the warming, healing effect of vodka has been proven by numerous reviews of people who have experienced home vodka therapy.
How they help. If the procedures are performed correctly, the person’s inflammatory infiltrate softens and gradually disappears. For cold symptoms, vodka compress:
- Reduces swelling.
- Reduces headaches.
- Resolves inflammatory foci.
- Removes toxins, which improves the condition.
- Increases the flow of oxygen to the affected areas.
- Helps destroy pathogenic microorganisms - sources of colds.
Contraindications. Vodka compresses are prohibited for people who have the following diseases and conditions:
- Bronchitis.
- Hypertension.
- Purulent sore throat and otitis media.
- Acute thrombophlebitis.
- Oncological tumors.
- Skin manifestations of allergies.
- Cardiovascular diseases.
- Open wounds, purulent rashes, trophic ulcers.
Vodka warming treatment should not be given at temperatures above +37⁰ C and for children under three years of age.
Is it possible to make vodka compresses during pregnancy? Doctors do not prohibit it, but before carrying out procedures, a pregnant woman should obtain permission for this therapy from a doctor. Otherwise, you can harm your own health and the health of your developing baby.
Anti-cough vodka - use it correctly
A vodka compress is intended for a local warming effect. With its help you can cope with many problems that cause coughing, but you can also harm the patient! If not prepared and carried out correctly, vodka compresses cause burns or overcool the skin areas, causing increased inflammation.
How to do it right
It’s easy to make and carry out a warming vodka procedure. No medical skills required here. But there are some nuances that you need to know about in order to obtain an antitussive effect. To properly prepare a vodka compress you need to take:
- Packing a bandage.
- Soft cotton wool in large quantities.
- A piece of gauze or fleece/flannel fabric.
- Polyethylene (cellophane should be slightly larger in size than a piece of fabric).
We soak gauze or cloth in vodka and squeeze it out (so that when applying a compress, the liquid does not drip onto the body). We apply the soaked cloth to a certain place:
- When coughing after bronchitis or tracheitis, a compress is applied to the back and chest, excluding the area where the heart is located. Lasts up to 10 hours for an adult.
- If the cough is caused by diseases of the pharynx, influenza, ARVI, a compress is applied to the throat. The procedure time is 4-5 hours for an adult.
Cellophane is placed on top of the fabric so that it completely covers the fabric surface. A thick layer of cotton wool is placed on top of the polyethylene and the compress is bandaged. Don't bandage too tightly! Additionally, the compress is insulated with a woolen scarf or scarf. This layering is necessary to achieve a better heating effect.
Make sure that each subsequent layer is 1-2 cm wider than the previous one and covers the bottom layer. In this case, the fabric moistened with vodka adheres better to the skin, and the gauze, once “free,” quickly dries out and loses its warming abilities.
A properly applied compress brings a feeling of comfort; it does not cause burning or itching. The skin after the session is pink. The appearance of bright red spots on the skin after therapy indicates a burn. This is caused by a high concentration of alcohol or too long a procedure.
In case of unpleasant sensations (deterioration of well-being, itching, burning), the compress should be removed immediately!
If signs of a skin burn appear, lubricate the affected area with cream or sprinkle with baby talcum powder and consult a doctor! If the compress is applied incorrectly, a person will feel chills after 1-1.5 hours - this symptom signals a leakage of healing heat.
There is an easy way to check that the bandage is applied correctly. 50-60 minutes after the compress, insert your finger under the film. If the inner layer is wet and feels warm, everything is going well. To enhance the effect, lubricate the skin with camphor or vegetable oil before applying the compress.
Attention! Before using vodka, it is heated to a temperature of +36-37⁰ C. Vodka should be heated in a closed container, preferably by steaming. You can put the closed bottle in a pan of hot water for 10-15 minutes.
How to carry out the procedure
The vodka warming procedure is carried out only at home. Have plenty of time! Consider how long you need to keep the compress itself (from 4 to 10 hours) and the subsequent time (after the procedure, it is not recommended to go outside for 2-3 hours).
After removing all layers of the compress, the warming area is insulated with a dry scarf or warm cloth. Do not allow the central heating area (which is in contact with the wetted fabric) to be exposed to cool air.
After removing the vodka compress, blood circulates intensively in this place, speeding up other processes of body heat regulation (cooling of this place also increases). Vodka itself also speeds up the process, as it quickly evaporates from the skin, enhancing cooling.
If the warming area is not insulated after the procedure, the person risks worsening health and worsening cough problems!
How often are vodka sessions held? For an adult, compresses (in the absence of contraindications) are applied daily until symptoms disappear completely. The child is given this therapy 1-2 times a week.
We treat a running cough. In case of advanced cough in children and adults, use the following recipes:
Compress with fat for an adult. Melt 2 tbsp. fat (interior, goose or lamb) in a water bath, continue to heat it for another 1-1.5 hours. Then add 3 chopped garlic cloves, 4 g of mustard powder and a teaspoon of vodka to the fat.
Place a thin cloth on the chest (avoiding the heart area), and place a warm fat base on top of it. Fix the mass on top with tracing paper or parchment paper and tie a warm scarf around the body. This compress is left on all night.
Before going to bed, it is recommended to drink a cup of hot raspberry tea. This procedure is very effective - by the morning the sputum will be much better cleared and liquefied, and after 2-3 days the cough will go away. A sick person can be put back on his feet in 3 days.
Honey compress for a child. Mix melted honey (40 ml) with vodka (60 ml). Soak a piece of gauze in warm honey mixture and apply it to the baby’s chest for 2-3 hours. Secure the compress with a warm scarf. This therapy for children is carried out daily (provided there is no allergy to honey).
Attention! A child should use a vodka compress in its classic form with caution. Vodka and medical alcohol are strong alcohol. Children under three years of age are prohibited from warming vodka procedures.
The skin of babies 0-2 years old is thin and sensitive, it will instantly absorb alcohol vapors, and the baby will become intoxicated.
For children over 3 years old, when applying a vodka compress, pediatricians recommend diluting the vodka base by half with water and reducing the procedure time by 2 times. The maximum that children are allowed to hold a vodka compress is 2-3 hours. After this time, the bandage is removed and the area is wrapped with a warm scarf.
Before treating your child, be sure to consult with your pediatrician about the feasibility and benefits of such treatment! Don't experiment with children's health.
If you approach treatment wisely and do the sessions correctly, the cough goes away within 5-6 days of the course of vodka therapy. Vodka should be present in the refrigerator of every housewife and not at all for internal consumption. There are better ways to use it for your health.
The healing power of heat in the treatment of certain diseases has been used since ancient times. One of the ways to combat pathology with the help of heat is the use of vodka compresses. They quickly help get rid of the unpleasant symptoms of a bruise.
Vodka compress for bruises
Vodka is an effective remedy for colds, flu, and sore throats. In such cases, it is used not internally, but as a compress. Alcohol lotions perfectly relieve swelling and pain. Therefore, they are commonly used in the treatment of bruises. This method of treatment is affordable and suitable for home use.
A vodka compress means applying gauze soaked in an alcohol solution to the affected area for a certain time. This is not a one-time procedure. To achieve the effect you need to do it several times. Vodka dilates blood vessels, improves blood flow, eliminates swelling and relieves pain. Therefore, in case of injury, this is a first aid remedy.
What and how it helps
When a vodka compress is applied to the sore area, under the bandage begins moisture will form and the temperature will rise. This stimulates intensive metabolic processes in tissues. Due to the dilation of blood vessels, blood flow improves and swelling goes away.
In addition, alcohol has disinfectant and antimicrobial properties and, thanks to which it has an anti-inflammatory effect when absorbed into the skin. Vodka is an excellent solvent. You can add extracts of medicinal herbs to it. Then the beneficial substances of the plants are absorbed faster and have a better effect on the lesion.
According to reviews from people who tried to treat bruises with vodka, this method really helps. The pain goes away already during the first procedure, and mobility in the joint increases. There are also negative statements that vodka lotions do not help or cause a number of side effects. Negative reviews are mainly related to the incorrect implementation of the procedure or its implementation in the presence of contraindications. If everything is done correctly, an alcohol compress will not harm, but will only improve the condition.
Indications and contraindications
Doctors are positive about the use of vodka lotions for certain diseases. But they note that such a treatment procedure is not allowed for everyone and not always. Doctors also say that this method of treatment should be used for minor injuries and to relieve pain when it is not possible to get to a doctor. After all, injury can consist of more than just a bruise. Therefore, it is better to contact a traumatologist and get examined.
Indications for the use of alcohol compresses are:
- Severe inflammation in the joints.
- Acute form of thrombophlebitis.
- Angina.
- Post-injection bumps.
- Gout.
- Cough.
- Hypothermia, frostbite of the epidermis.
- Radiculitis.
- Corns.
- Sprained muscles and ligaments.
- Phlebeurysm.
- Acute otitis.
- Inflammation of the pharynx, larynx.
The procedure using alcohol lotions has a number of contraindications:
- Pregnancy (since vodka has a high degree).
- Increased body temperature.
- Purulent diseases (purulent form of otitis).
- Age under 3 years (some alcohol substances are absorbed into the skin and can cause nervous system disorders in the baby).
- Bronchitis.
- Severe inflammation of the skin with purulent and acne rashes.
- The presence of scratches, open wounds, burns, allergic lesions on the treated area of skin.
To make sure whether vodka lotion can be used to treat a bruise, you should consult a doctor and consult. This will reduce the risk of developing side effects.
How to do and apply correctly
To make a vodka compress you will need:
- Bandage.
- Alcohol or vodka.
- Cotton wool.
- A piece of soft material (gauze).
- A piece of polyethylene that is 4 cm larger than the fabric.
If alcohol is used, then it is diluted with water. Take 3 parts water to 1 part alcohol.
Algorithm for the treatment procedure:
- Soak gauze in an alcohol solution (vodka) and squeeze.
- Apply to the site of injury, pressing firmly against the affected area.
- Place a piece of polyethylene and cotton wool on top of the gauze.
- Secure everything with a bandage. If the lotion is done on the knee or lower back, you can use a warm scarf instead of a bandage.
The vodka compress should be placed on the bruised area from 6 to 12 hours. After removing the lotion, you should immediately apply a dry, warm bandage. Experts advise performing the procedure at night, so that later you don’t have to go outside in the cold.
The fact that the lotion is applied correctly is indicated by a feeling of warmth in the area of the bruise and a decrease in pain. If a person experiences cold, then the bandage does not fit tightly to the body and the compress needs to be applied again, following the rules.
To achieve the maximum effect from the treatment of bruises, it is necessary to apply cold on the first day of the injury, and apply an alcohol compress and wraps the next day. It is recommended to add extracts of anti-inflammatory and decongestant herbs (chamomile, eucalyptus, calendula, St. John's wort, yarrow) to alcohol.