"Chlorhexidine" - what is it? The question is quite common, and today we will talk about this particular medication.
Pharmacological properties
"Chlorhexidine" (reviews confirm this) is an excellent antiseptic that is active against many bacteria, in particular, Treponema pallidum, Gardnerella vaginalis, Ureaplasma spp and some others, as well as protozoa (Trichomonas vaginalis) and the herpes virus.
Due to its antiseptic properties, the drug is used in many areas of medicine.
Mechanism of antiseptic action
The drug is based on the ability of the active substance to influence the properties of the cell membrane of the microorganism. It contributes to the destruction of the cytoplasmic membrane of the bacterium, disrupting the osmotic balance. And as a result - the death of bacteria.
Local application of "Chlorhexidine bigluconate" does not allow it to penetrate into the general circulation and have a systemic effect. But after treatment of the skin, a certain amount of the drug remains on its surface, providing a long-lasting antibacterial effect.
Indications for use
Solution "Chlorhexidinebigluconate" is used in the treatment and prevention of various diseases caused by microorganisms sensitive to chlorhexidine.
The drug is used in many areas. So, it is "Chlorhexidine" alcohol that is used to treat the skin during various surgical operations. The drug is widely used in urology, as well as gynecology and obstetric practice.
Chlorhexidine bigluconate solution is used in the treatment of skin diseases caused by fungus or bacteria. The drug has also proved to be excellent in the treatment of purulent wounds, various lesions of the mucous membrane provoked by microorganisms sensitive to chlorhexidine.
In addition, the product can be used as an STD prevention in case of unprotected intercourse.
And now a little more about all the possibilities of antiseptic.
STD Prevention
For preventive purposes, use a 0.05% solution of the product no later than 2 hours after sexual contact without using a condom.
Men need to gently inject 3 ml of "Chlorhexidine" into the urinary canal. In women, in addition to introducing the drug into the urinary canal (2 ml of the solution), it is also necessary to treat the vagina (10 ml of the drug). In addition, it is necessary to carry out additional processing of the skin of the penis, the outer surface of the thighs and pubis.
After the treatment and the introduction of the agent into the urethra, it is recommended to refrain from going to the sanitaryroom for at least 2 hours.
Dentistry and ENT practice
The product is used by dentists in the process of disinfecting the oral cavity, and is also prescribed as a treatment for gingivitis, stomatitis or periodontitis. In this case, solutions with a concentration of 0.1% or 0.05% can be used. Rinsing is carried out three times a day.
Applied "Chlorhexidine" and in the case when it becomes necessary to wash the periodontal canal, opened abscess, fistula. The drug is also used to treat the surface of the gums after a patchwork periodontal operation.
ENT specialists may prescribe a rinse preparation as a prevention of postoperative complications, for example, after the removal of tonsils or adenoids. In this case, irrigation or rinsing with 0.1% or 0.05% solutions of chlorhexidine bigluconate is prescribed.
Treatment of wounds and skin with "Chlorhexidine"
To treat any damage to the skin, a 0.05%, 0.02 or 0.5% solution of the drug is used. Both irrigation and applications can be used.
When disinfecting the surgical field, a diluted 20% "Chlorhexidine" is used. Alcohol solution in this case is used for double processing.
Urological applications
Here, the drug is used to flush the bladder before some diagnostic procedures, in particular cystoscopy.
Use during pregnancy
"Chlorhexidine" - what is it and can itbe used by expectant mothers fearlessly? First of all, it is an excellent antibacterial agent, as mentioned a little earlier. That is why the tool perfectly copes with all manifestations of thrush, and also destroys the pathogens of syphilis, gonorrhea and urealamosis.
Women are very worried about whether Chlorhexidine can be used during pregnancy and will it harm the baby? The drug is present in most of the medicines that are used in the treatment of many female diseases. While carrying a baby, the female immune system is significantly weakened, so vaginal candidiasis, better known as thrush, is a problem for many expectant mothers. And one of the drugs that does not affect the development of the fetus in any way, and therefore its use is possible from the very first days, is Chlorhexidine. Reviews of women as one are unanimous: the remedy greatly alleviates the condition. Thrush clears up much faster.
Chlorhexidine during pregnancy can be prescribed in the following cases:
- in the treatment of genital tract infections: trichomoniasis, herpes, gonorrhea, mycoplasma, chlamydia, ureaplasma and syphilis;
- with various inflammations of the vagina;
- for vaginal treatment both before and after childbirth;
- in the process of processing postoperative sutures;
- for various infections affecting the oral or nasal cavity;
- for the treatment of wounds, various dermatitis and suppuration.
Necessaryremember that "Chlorhexidine" can only be applied topically. As a rule, women are prescribed irrigation, applications. The drug can also be prescribed in the form of ointments or vaginal suppositories.
For the treatment of sexually transmitted infections, the use of suppositories is most often prescribed, since douching is highly undesirable.
In the process of treating purulent wounds, it is advisable to use special plasters produced on the basis of this substance. You can also use just ointments with Chlorhexidine.
There are no contraindications to the use of the drug. The only prohibition is if there is an individual reaction to the substance.
Sometimes treatment with "Chlorhexidine" can cause discomfort. So, if treatment with the drug is accompanied by burning, itching and swelling of the vagina, then the use of the prescribed remedy should be abandoned immediately.
Gargling with the drug
"Chlorhexidine" - what it is, now you know. And as we have seen, the possibilities of the drug are quite extensive. The remedy is often prescribed in the treatment of throat infections and tonsillitis. But since the drug can be used exclusively externally, the use of "Chlorhexidine" for rinsing the mouth requires caution.
For rinsing, only 0.05% solution can be used, since a higher concentration can cause too much burning of the mucosa. Do not use an alcoholic solution for gargling.
The use of the product is allowed no earlier than1 hour after brushing your teeth. It must be remembered that "Chlorhexidine" is incompatible with some components of toothpaste. Before treating with an antiseptic solution, rinse your mouth with plain clean water to remove food debris.
How to rinse with Chlorhexidine?
It's pretty simple. Take a little prepared solution in your mouth (about a couple of tablespoons) and gargle for at least a minute. Carry out the procedure 3 times a day or in accordance with the instructions of the attending physician, but not longer than 3 weeks.
If the drug was prescribed by a dentist after a tooth extraction operation, then active rinsing during the first day is not recommended. Otherwise, you can damage the protective clot that always forms in the well. And this can lead to infection of the wound. Just take the diluted solution of the drug into your mouth and hold it on the sore side of your mouth for about a couple of minutes. This is enough to disinfect the wound.
To enhance the effect of rinsing, after the procedure, refuse to eat and drink for at least an hour.
Remember not to swallow the remedy. If, nevertheless, the drug was swallowed, then it is necessary to drink several glasses of water and induce vomiting. After that, you need to take activated charcoal.
We breed the drug correctly
If it is necessary to treat a wound on the skin, then a solution with a concentration of 0.05% does not need to be diluted. Enhancethe effect of the drug, if purulent wounds or postoperative sutures need to be disinfected, can be diluted with alcohol in a ratio of 1: 1. In the process, discomfort may occur, such as burning, redness, pain, but gradually they will fade away.
When douching, the agent should have a concentration of no more than 0.02%. Dilute the antiseptic using boiled water. Douching is carried out no more than 2 times a day and can be prescribed for inflammatory processes, the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, etc. The drug is used only as prescribed by the attending physician.
How to dilute "Chlorhexidine" if gargling is required? In this case, a tablespoon of the drug is diluted in 200 ml of boiled water. You can rinse several times a day. This is especially true for purulent sore throat.
But do not forget that you can use the product only after prior consultation with your doctor.
"Chlorhexidine": what it is, in what cases the solution can be used, the rules for diluting the drug - now you are all familiar with this. We hope that the information received will be useful to you. Stay he althy!
