^

Health

Gorchiki for colds for adults: can I bet, benefit

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
Fact-checked
х

All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.

We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.

If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.

For colds, different methods of treatment are always used - from alternative recipes to tablets and physiotherapy procedures. In many families, the method of choice is mustard plasters for colds - this is a wonderful warming and distracting remedy that can quickly put a patient on their feet, especially in the initial stages of a cold.

Is it possible to put mustard plasters in colds?

The yellow card affects only locally, warming up the necessary area of the body. Another action of mustard is distracting and irritating.

Essential oil when it gets on the skin causes its redness: the blood flow increases, the vascular lumen expands.

Irritated intradermal receptors transmit impulses to the nervous system, adrenaline and other substances are released that stimulate the reaction of phagocytes.

In simpler terms, all these processes activate the immune defense to speed up the removal of pathogenic microorganisms from the body.

During the cold, all the mechanisms listed above are very important: the immunity starts to work more actively, and the cure comes faster. With a complicated course of cold, the mustard burns the respiratory organs - such diseases as bronchitis and pneumonia also recede.

The use of mustard plasters for colds

A mustard is a thick paper card, on one surface of which paste is applied on the basis of mustard powder. In pharmacies, you can buy and mustard plasters in the form of filter bags, with mustard powder inside the cells.

When combining mustard and warm water, active release of essential oil begins: it is thanks to the oil that an anesthetic, expectorant and disinfectant effect is performed.

In addition, during the heat effect, the vessels expand, and blood circulation is accelerated. This leads to better nutrition of tissues and organs, accelerates recovery.

Activation of blood circulation improves immune defense: first at the local level, and then systemic immunity also rises.

In the respiratory organs, the active production of mucus begins, which is removed from the respiratory tract as sputum: this manifests the expectorant effect of mustard procedures.

Indications for the procedure

Mustard plasters are bought in the pharmacy if there is evidence for their use. Such indications can be:

  • Respiratory diseases, bronchitis, pneumonia;
  • cough for colds;
  • bronchial asthma;
  • radiculitis, pain in the lower back, pain in the head and neck.

The mustard helps not only those who get colds, but also with closed injuries, osteochondrosis, pain in the muscles and joints. However, the main use of mustard plasters is cold and respiratory diseases.

Mustards improve breathing, speed up the excretion of mucous secretions from the bronchi, making the cough productive.

trusted-source[1]

Preparation

Before the procedure, you need to decide where exactly will be placed mustard plasters. In addition, you need to prepare:

  • directly mustard sheets;
  • bowl with water heated to + 45 ° C;
  • a sheet of parchment or a tissue napkin;
  • a warm towel;
  • plaid.

The patient should lie down more conveniently that the area of setting mustard plasters be in sight.

Preliminary need to check the storage period of mustard plasters: the layer should not crumble, the sheets themselves should not be torn. Good mustard plasters produce a pronounced mustard flavor.

Technique of the mustard plasters for colds

Adult patients mustard plasters can be placed directly on the skin, and children need to lay an additional protective layer of parchment or a thin tissue.

Install mustard in stages:

  • Take the mustard leaf or mustard filter package, keep it horizontally.
  • Lower the yellow card into a bowl with warm water, leave for 5-10 seconds.
  • Get a yellow card, give water to drain.
  • Set the mustard on the desired area of skin with the side on which the mustard layer is located.
  • Cover the top with a towel and a rug.
  • Remove mustard in about 10-15 minutes, the skin is wiped with a moistened warm napkin. Additionally, the skin can be treated with a soft cream or oil.
  • The patient is dressed and covered with a blanket.

After removing the mustard plaster, the patient should lie under the blanket for at least 30-40 minutes. It is important to avoid cooling, draft, wind.

Where and how to put mustard plasters in colds?

Most often, mustard plasters are placed on the chest, back, lower limbs.

The thorax and back are common areas for the procedure for diseases of the respiratory system and for colds. To enhance the therapeutic effect after the installation of mustard plasters they cover with a dense cloth or towel.

Sometimes dry mustard plasters or directly mustard powder is put in warm socks for the night. This option is more sparing and is especially often used to treat colds in children.

By the way, if the procedures are carried out to the child, it is preferable to put mustard plasters on the back, and not on the chest, since there is a very great danger of harming the kid's heart and vessels. After treatment of children, the area of application should be lubricated with baby cream.

How correctly to put mustard plasters for colds?

Many make a number of mistakes in setting up mustard plasters - in spite of the fact that the procedure is relatively uncomplicated. Because of these errors, treatment can become ineffective and even dangerous.

  • Do not soak mustard leaves in hot water: this will lead to the destruction of medical components, after which the mustard will cease to be effective. Water should have a temperature of 40-45 ° C.
  • Do not put too many mustard plasters at the same time. Their optimal number is from two to four pieces.
  • Do not suffer burning if it is excessive: this can lead to burns. As a result, in addition to a cold, you will also have to treat wounds.
  • Do not repeat the procedure too often: once a day is enough. Some experts recommend that the treatment be performed every other day.
  • Each mustard plaster has an active and passive side: pay attention to which side the leaf is facing to, otherwise the procedure will not bring an effect.

Mustard plasters for common cold

For adults, mustard must be placed on the back, chest, heels and calves. But most often they are put still on the chest and back - on the projection zone of the respiratory organs.

The mustard is moistened in warm water and applied to the necessary area - you need to take into account that, for example, with nasopharyngeal diseases and tonsillitis it is necessary to warm up the chest area. This area is located about five centimeters below the clavicle. On the heart area mustard plaster can not be placed.

If there is inflammation of the bronchi and a strong cough, it is better to put mustard plasters both in front and behind the chest. Also, for a cold, you can use areas such as heels, feet and calves.

Can pregnant women have mustard for colds?

Gorchichniki for colds for women during pregnancy are contraindicated. Essential oils, including mustard oil, simultaneously with local heating can provoke miscarriage, or spontaneous termination of pregnancy, and on the final terms - premature onset of labor.

Mustard can raise the uterine tone, cause vascular spasm, which worsens the flow of blood to the fetus and can lead to placental abruption.

When breast feeding, the procedure is also not carried out: the mustard can cause an allergic reaction.

Experts recommend pregnant women with colds treated with inhalants: this is a safe and effective method of treatment.

Gorchichniki on legs or foots at cold

Mustards on legs are placed mainly on calves and heels. However, for colds, a much greater effect is brought by hot baths with mustard:

  • poured into the pelvis water with a temperature of about 50 ° C;
  • add 2 tablespoons water. L. Dry mustard;
  • Immerse your feet in the water along your ankles;
  • if necessary, periodically add hot water to the pelvis;
  • continue the procedure for a maximum of half an hour;
  • After the foot bath wipe the towel and put on warm socks.

In addition to the tray, you can put in each sock one mustard plaster, or sprinkle one tablespoon of dry mustard powder. Over should be put on one more socks - warmer, and go to sleep. Socks with mustard are removed only in the morning, after which they wash their feet with warm water.

Gorchiki on the feet for colds are not very appropriate, because the skin on the heels and feet is rough enough. Doctors recommend using colds or dry mustard for colds. Contraindication to the use of the baths is varicose veins and the period of pregnancy in women.

In the feet there is a mass of nerve endings that have a direct connection to the central nervous system. When these nerve endings irritate, the vessels of the respiratory organs expand, blood circulation improves, which leads to a noticeable improvement in the well-being of the patient with a cold.

Contraindications to the procedure

Many people are inclined to think that mustard for colds is a harmless remedy. This is not quite true: the procedure has a number of contraindications:

  • cutaneous individual hypersensitivity;
  • allergy to mustard oil;
  • skin diseases (psoriatic and eczematous rashes, neurodermatitis, dermatitis);
  • external damage to the skin (scratches, wounds, ulcers in the place of setting mustard plasters);
  • malignant processes;
  • tuberculosis of the lungs or skin;
  • internal and pulmonary hemorrhages;
  • recent stroke or heart attack;
  • propensity to convulsions and epilepsy;
  • vascular disease (if the procedure is performed on the lower extremities);
  • periods of pregnancy and breastfeeding;
  • fever.

Do not put mustard and small children: the skin of children is tender, and during the procedure the child can get a burn.

trusted-source[2], [3]

Consequences after the procedure

If during 30-40 minutes after the end of the procedure the patient continues to complain about a feeling of discomfort in the treatment zone, and when the examination reveals redness and swelling, then, apparently, a burn was formed. This can happen if the mustard plasters are "overexposed", or if the patient has excessively sensitive skin.

The burned place needs to be treated to eliminate unpleasant sensations:

  • rinse skin with water, dry;
  • treat with antiseptic - for example, furatsilinom;
  • you can use an anti-burn patch.

If necessary, give the patient a tablet of analgin or baralgina, as well as an antihistamine to eliminate burning and swelling.

trusted-source[4],

Complications after the procedure

Some people may develop an allergic reaction to mustard. It manifests itself by such symptoms:

  • rashes on the skin in the area of application of mustard plasters;
  • swelling of the tissues, swelling;
  • itching, redness.

There may be systemic signs:

  • increased cough;
  • lacrimation;
  • pulmonary edema, shortness of breath;
  • nausea.

If this happens, then stop the procedure and see a doctor immediately. The doctor will prescribe an antihistamine. It can be Loratadine, Zirtek, Zodak, Cetirizine, as well as external preparations - Fenistil gel, hydrocortisone ointment or Prednisolone, Advantan.

At home, you can apply and home recipes - for example, take a bath with infusion of alternating, or chamomile.

trusted-source[5]

Care after the procedure

The course mustard procedures can be different: it is optimal to put mustard daily, for three to five days. If the disease is protracted, then you can carry out procedures day after day, for 10 days. Frequent and prolonged mustard procedures are not welcomed, as they can trigger the development of allergic processes and burns to the skin.

The duration of the procedure itself is individual. In some patients, intolerable burning occurs almost immediately, and in others - much later. It is believed that the norm of duration for an adult patient is 10-15 minutes, although for the first application, five minutes will suffice. In children it is enough to withstand a mustard plaster 3-6 minutes. These indicators are average, therefore it is necessary to take into account individual characteristics. If the patient complains that he is hot, then you can remove mustard sheets early. If the patient can lie longer, it is optimal to lie for 15 minutes.

Of great importance is the freshness of mustard leaves and packages. The more fresh the remedy, the better and faster it will work.

After the procedure, you must necessarily wipe the patient's skin with a damp cloth to remove the remains of mustard. If this is not done, the patient may experience a burning sensation and discomfort even after removing the mustard plasters.

Reviews

If everything is done correctly, the treatment with mustard plasters always shows excellent results. However, do not rely only on such treatment: if the doctor prescribed medication, then they must be taken according to the proposed scheme.

Unfortunately, many do not use mustard for colds, believing that these are "grandfather" ways that are not suitable for today. In fact, this method is relevant at all times: mustard plasters can replace mucolytic and expectorant drugs. If the doctor prescribes antibiotics or antiviral agents, then the canard will not be able to replace them: antibiotic therapy will have to be fully implemented.

Translation Disclaimer: For the convenience of users of the iLive portal this article has been translated into the current language, but has not yet been verified by a native speaker who has the necessary qualifications for this. In this regard, we warn you that the translation of this article may be incorrect, may contain lexical, syntactic and grammatical errors.

You are reporting a typo in the following text:
Simply click the "Send typo report" button to complete the report. You can also include a comment.