Compresses for bronchitis: how to make and where to put them

There is probably not a single person who has not suffered from bronchitis at least once in his life. As a rule, the pathology is a consequence of a cold or flu, but it can also occur on its own. It all starts with a dry cough that does not give rest even at night, after a few days it becomes wet, it is easier to cough up, but malaise, fatigue, headache, and a slight fever remain. Acute course of the disease can become chronic, and then the debilitating cough will torment for more than one week. There are always "experts" in the treatment of this disease, advising various recipes, including compresses, which help to overcome the unpleasant symptom. But is it possible to use a compress for bronchitis?

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Indications for the procedure

It turns out that various compresses are indeed an effective and efficient method in the fight against inflammation, and bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchi, in which in the case of a mild course of the disease their mucous membrane is involved, and in severe cases - all layers of the bronchial wall. Using compresses as part of a comprehensive treatment, the affected area is warmed, and medicinal substances get there through the skin, increasing blood circulation and relaxing the respiratory muscles. Due to this, spasm of the bronchi is relieved, sputum discharge is facilitated, and therefore the patient's condition improves.

Acute bronchitis is characterized by an increase in body temperature, which is not an indication for thermal procedures. Therefore, compresses should not be applied in this case.

If the disease has become chronic, then warming compresses are used as a means of accelerating recovery. They are placed on the chest, back, and soles of the feet.

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Preparation

For compresses, it is necessary to prepare three different layers of fabric: the first - for impregnation with the substance used, the second - a lining, the third - warming. Various materials can be used as a remedy, which will be discussed below. Parchment paper or cellophane is used as a lining, and a thick towel, cotton wool or any warm thing, such as a scarf, is used for warming.

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Technique bronchitis compresses

The technique of the procedure has its own peculiarities. Thus, the compress is never placed in the area of the heart and spinal column. The most recommended areas are the back under the shoulder blades and the chest, sometimes the feet and calves. If liquid is used for warming, then a simple cotton cloth is soaked in it and placed on the body. Another option is a flat cake or a solid substance made from various components. A waterproof layer is placed on top of them, then everything is insulated and secured.

Compresses for bronchitis for children are made on the same warming base as for adults, except for alcohol, and the use of drugs is in a lower concentration. Adults can wear a warming compress for 7-8 hours, preferably leaving it on all night, for children this time should be somewhat reduced.

Recipes for compresses for bronchitis

There are various recipes for compresses for bronchitis among the people; here are the most popular ones.

• Compress with dimexide for bronchitis: the drug has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anesthetic effects. Its aqueous solution is used for compresses. The drug is not used for children under 12 years of age. After this age, one part of the drug should be diluted with three parts of water. For adults, the ratio is 1:1.
• Potato compress for bronchitis: very simple and easy to use. You will need several unpeeled boiled tubers. After draining the water, place the potatoes in a plastic bag and mash lightly. By following the procedure technique, you can achieve long-term heat retention, and therefore useful results.
• Warming compresses for bronchitis: based on the use of vodka, camphor alcohol, honey, black radish juice, warm vegetable oil. Their main principle is to warm up well and sweat.
• Honey compress for bronchitis: the main component is supposed to be honey alone or in combination with other additives. This can be a flat cake made of water, flour and a few spoons of sweet bee product. It is possible to use melted honey with butter, a combination of mustard powder, butter and honey, etc.
• Vodka compress for bronchitis: designed for adults only. Vodka is diluted with water in a 1:1 ratio, a napkin is soaked in this solution and applied to the desired area. The best effect will be achieved if honey is rubbed into the body beforehand.
• Throat compress for bronchitis: it is believed that not only compresses on the upper body help with cough, but also on the throat, especially at the initial stage of the disease. A solution of one part apple cider vinegar, three parts water and a spoonful of honey is suitable for this. Limit the procedure time to 20-30 minutes. Otherwise, it is no different from the usual one.
• Salt compresses for bronchitis: both dry salt (table or sea salt) and saline solution are used. For a dry compress, salt is placed in a frying pan and heated on the stove, then poured into a sock or a bag made of simple fabric and applied to the body. To prepare the solution, 2 teaspoons of salt per glass of water are enough. Further actions for applying a salt compress for bronchitis are normal.
• Compress flat cake for bronchitis: often, instead of liquid for wetting the fabric for the compress, products are used from which it is easy to make a flat cake, and a medicinal ingredient is added to them. For such purposes, mashed boiled potatoes and flour are suitable. You can boil several potatoes in their skins, mash them, add a couple of spoons of flour, sunflower oil, a tablespoon of honey, knead, give a round or oval shape, wrap in gauze so that it does not fall apart, and apply to the body. Then put cellophane on it, insulate it with something and fix it. This method is equivalent to a compress of honey and oil, but it is more convenient to use.
• Curd compress for bronchitis: curd is not a very common component for compresses, and yet it is used in this capacity to treat cough. Before use, the product is warmed up, spread in an even layer on gauze, applied to the chest or back. With the addition of honey, its effect will be greater. Such compresses are especially good for children, because babies will not be afraid of such a medicine.
• Cabbage compress for bronchitis: a regular cabbage leaf is also a cough remedy. It is dipped in boiling water for a few minutes, then allowed to drain and cooled slightly, after which it is fixed according to the rules for applying compresses. It is more effective to use melted honey in this treatment. They lubricate the prepared cabbage leaf with it, and then apply it to the chest and back for several days in a row at night.
• Vishnevsky ointment compress: it is recommended for adults and children only at the initial stage of the disease, since it does not help with chronic dry cough. The use of the ointment is due to its warming effect, provided by such components as tar, castor oil, xeroform. The ointment is applied in a thin layer to a cloth or gauze and applied to the body, but not more than 3 hours, otherwise there may be burns.
• Radish compress for bronchitis: this is another type of warming compress. It is prepared from the pulp of grated black radish, possibly with the addition of honey. The slightly squeezed mixture is placed in a cloth bag and placed on the body. Cellophane is not used for this compress.
• Goat fat compress for bronchitis: this product is often used as an additive to milk for colds, but you can also make a compress from it. To do this, melt the fat and pour it onto a sheet of paper, which is then attached to the desired location. After this, the chest and back are well insulated.

Contraindications to the procedure

Compresses for bronchitis also have contraindications. These include:

• elevated body temperature;
• oncological diseases;
• cardiovascular;
• endocrine, including diabetes mellitus;
• blood pathologies;
• tuberculosis;
• various dermatological problems;
• allergy to the components used in compresses;
• open wounds;
• pregnancy;
• areas treated with iodine.

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Consequences after the procedure

Consequences and complications of using compresses for bronchitis are possible if the rules for the procedure and warnings about contraindications are ignored. Such unpleasant moments include burns, urticaria, skin irritation. In tumor processes, warming up is unacceptable, since it increases the area of damage and accelerates the intensity of its growth. For hypertensive patients, compresses are fraught with a jump in blood pressure, or even a hypertensive crisis.

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Care after the procedure

Post-procedure care involves removing any remaining material after applying the compress with a dry towel. If you use a substance that strongly irritates the skin, you should remove the remains with a damp swab, then apply a towel. After this, you should put on warm cotton clothes or wrap yourself in a blanket if you are in bed. It is better to refrain from going out into the cold for several hours.