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At what temperature can you put mustard plasters on a child and an adult?
Last reviewed: 06.07.2025
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To the main question - can you put mustard plasters on when you have a fever - any therapist will give a clear answer: any procedures using local irritants are contraindicated if the body temperature is elevated, which indicates an active phase of the inflammatory process.
Therefore, it is obvious at what temperature mustard plasters are applied: only at normal temperature.
Indications for the procedure
Mustard plasters are a local irritant, and the action of mustard powder substances, in particular, isothiocyanate glycosides, is directed at skin receptors. Their irritation (felt as a burning sensation) leads to the skin capillaries expanding (reddening of the skin is noted), and as a result of the blood flow, tissue nutrition improves, metabolic processes are activated, and, at the same time, inflammatory processes are reduced.
Indications for the use of mustard plasters are most often acute respiratory diseases accompanied by cough, as well as diseases of the respiratory tract: tracheitis, bronchitis, tracheobronchitis, inflammation of the pleura and lungs. However, it should be borne in mind that mustard plasters are not applied at a temperature of 37, 37.2, 38 ° C.
In addition, mustard plasters can be used as an auxiliary remedy during attacks of angina with chest pain; to relieve headaches due to arterial hypertension and muscle pain due to myositis; to reduce pain syndrome in neuralgia and cervical osteochondrosis.
[ Preparation
To apply a mustard plaster, it must be soaked in water (slightly warm), placed on the skin surface, covered with a dry napkin on top and the patient covered. The duration of the procedure for children should not exceed five minutes, for adults - 10-15 minutes.
Cough treatment is carried out by applying this procedure to the chest area (directly under the collarbones, but not to the heart area). Mustard plasters on the back - the mustard plaster is placed only between the shoulder blades. Simultaneous application to the chest and back is unacceptable!
At the onset of acute respiratory infections and with arterial hypertension, it is recommended to apply mustard plasters to the calf muscles or the back of the neck, but with angina pectoris - to the sternum area.
In case of neuralgia or myositis, the mustard plaster is placed directly on the painful area.
Contraindications to the procedure
At what temperature should you not use mustard plasters? Mustard plasters are contraindicated if the temperature exceeds +37°C. At normal temperatures, mustard plasters should not be applied to areas of skin affected by any dermatological diseases, or if there are any lesions or growths on the surface (including moles or warts).
This treatment method is contraindicated for children under 3-4 years of age, pregnant women, people with allergies, paresthesia and hypoesthesia, and malignant neoplasms.
Consequences after the procedure
Natural consequences of mustard plasters are hyperemia of the skin and a feeling of warmth at the site of application.
However, complications after the procedure are also possible in the form of skin burns and allergies with the appearance of skin rashes. Also, due to stimulation of local blood flow, the general temperature may increase after mustard plasters, which most often occurs when using local irritants in the treatment of colds and coughs in children.