Note when using throat medicine

Except for salt water, other mouth-throat gargles are usually used for less than 10 days. The use of too long will cause imbalance of bacteria, fungal, ulcerative throat .

Improper use of throat rinse may cause mucosal damage to the throat (Photo: TTO)

There are many types of bacteria that often live in the throat. When the body is healthy, the throat mucosa is stable and these bacteria do not cause disease. But when the body weakens or pH of this area changes, they will cause disease or receive harmful bacteria from the outside environment. The disease of the throat is primarily a pathology of the mucosa system. Therefore, topical treatment drugs, including mouth-throat rinse, are highly effective.

Mouthwash is prepared as a solution or powder used for reconstitution before use. It is used in topical infections of the nasopharynx, oral cavity, bacterial plaque removal, odor elimination caused by bacteria, care of the throat area before and after surgery. It can be used alone or in combination with oral antibiotics.

Drugs are usually divided into 3 groups:

- Mouthwash antibiotics: The most commonly used antibiotic for the preparation of throat grenades is tyrothricin such as veybirol-tyrothricin.

- Bacterial antiseptic such as bétadine gargle, givalex, BBM- borates, bicarbonate salts and methol .

- Neutralize pH : 0.9% salt water, natribicarbonate .

In the composition of throat rinse, there are often some soothing substances, softening the throat mucosa, relieving pain, reducing local inflammation, anti-allergy such as benzocain, menthol, salicylate, hexetidine .

Note when using

Depending on the drug, the patient will be instructed specifically by the doctor about the use, and especially must read the instructions carefully before using. Usually rinse your throat twice a day, take a sip of your mouth thoroughly, then take another sip for 5-10 minutes and then pull out the medicine. Absolutely not swallow medicine.

Use 15-30 ml of solution and rinse until the end. However there are some products that need to be used with shorter time. For example, Listerin only holds in the mouth for 30 seconds immediately after brushing. The mouth-to-mouth gargles are often used after brushing to make the drug work longer in the mucosa.

For women who are pregnant or nursing, the use of topical gargles when infected with infection results in a high level of safety and results. However, there is also a small percentage of drugs absorbed into the bloodstream and into the fetus along the placental route or through milk, so it should be followed strictly as directed. It is best to use only a brine solution to clear the throat.

Gargles are also used by age. For example, Eludril is only used for adults and children over 6 years of age, Bétadine is for children over 30 months of age and for people who have no thyroid disease. Throat medicine is not used in patients with a history of allergy to any component of the medicine.

Do not use at the same time many antiseptic gargles if there is no opinion and close monitoring of the ENT physician.

Swabbing drugs can also cause many side effects if not used as directed by a specialist, such as a rash, throat and mouth itching, blistering of the lips, red face, sweating. If there are any abnormal signs, stop the throat immediately and tell the doctor to promptly manage, can replace the drug or treatment with other methods.

MSc. Pham Thi Dao