Ozokerite indications and contraindications for children. Application of ozocerite: paraffin applications, layering and baths

Heat treatment is the most popular method of physiotherapy. Its effectiveness is associated with the effect of heat on the skin, due to which the body temperature rises at the site of application, skin hyperemia increases, metabolic processes and capillary blood flow improve, and muscle rigidity and passivity stop.

Ozokerite indications for use are characterized as one of the methods of heat therapy using warm compresses or "cakes".

What is ozokerite

Compared to paraffin, mountain wax has more pronounced thermal properties and good plasticity. It is a waxy, petroleum-derived mass with a similar petroleum odor that is dark brown to black in color.

Contains in its composition mineral oils, paraffin, resins, gases such as hydrogen sulfide, methane, ethane. Ozokerite is highly soluble in water, kerosene, is a natural hydrocarbon. The mineral is greasy to the touch, and the hardness depends on the content of hydrocarbons in the composition, so ozokerite can be both hard and soft.

Mechanism of ozokerite treatment

Ozokerite is used for treatment in the form of compresses.

Instructions for use at home informs that heat treatment is based on the effect of the mineral on the body. This impact can be:

Temperature: due to the low heat conductivity, ozokerite does not cause burns on the skin; after contact with the skin, it hardens and protects the skin from the next hotter layers of the mineral. This property makes it possible to use ozokerite with a temperature of 65-75 degrees.
Mechanical: based on the ability of the mineral to decrease in volume by 10-15% when solidified, which causes a compressive effect on the tissue and contributes to good thermal conductivity. Best of all, this effect is noticeable when performing circular applications, when applying ozocerite from all sides.
Chemical: due to the presence in the preparation of biologically active substances that penetrate the skin and enter the bloodstream, the desired effect occurs.

Resins and chemicals irritate the skin, biological components affect the nervous system, which increases its tone. Thanks to substances with antibiotic properties, ozokerite has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-allergic, regenerating effects. Enhances hemodynamics in the diseased organ.

Indications for use

When is ozocerite used? Use at home is recommended for:

diseases of the joints and spine;
damage to the musculoskeletal system;
diseases of internal organs;
inflammatory diseases of the female genital organs;
post-traumatic rehabilitation;
infertility;
conducting a course of balneotherapy as a component;
diseases of peripheral nerves and vessels;
skin diseases.

Ozokeritotherapy is most often carried out in the complex of spa treatment or as rehabilitation measures in medical institutions.

Contraindications for use

The presence of tumors, both benign and malignant, peptic ulcer of the digestive system, heart pathologies, febrile diseases, diseases of the liver and pancreas is a contraindication to the use of this type of treatment.

In diseases that are accompanied by bleeding or have a predisposition to them, ozokerite is not used. Home use should not be carried out in the presence of inflammatory diseases on the skin and in various gynecological diseases. In accordance with the instructions, the mineral is not used during pregnancy.

Basic Treatments

If ozokerite and paraffin are used, home use comes down to four main methods:

Application of several layers of one of these natural compositions with a brush on a body area, covering with oilcloth and wrapping. The first layer of ozokerite or paraffin is applied not too hot, the next layer will be at a higher temperature, and a very hot composition is applied on top of it. The first layer quickly hardens, which prevents the formation of burns on the skin. This method allows you to warm up the painful area well, which is very convenient to do at home on your own.
Making a mask with gauze folded in 10 layers and soaked in molten paraffin or ozocerite. Wetting must be carried out very carefully, using tweezers, so as not to burn yourself.
Imposing on the body of a "cake" made from these substances. Molten paraffin or ozocerite is poured into a prepared container and allowed to cool. Then the resulting form is placed on the skin, covered with oilcloth and wrapped.
Baths with a molten composition are used for hands and feet. The method must be used with great care due to the high likelihood of burns.

The most common and safe treatment option is the method of applying "cakes", which include ozocerite. Use at home for children is recommended in the form of paraffin-ozocerite applications, for which 2 parts of ozocerite and 1 paraffin are taken.

Sessions of such treatment are used only as directed by a pediatrician. The duration of the procedure is shorter than for adults, and the temperature of the substance is lower. In the treatment of ozokerite, applications are most often used with application to the shins and feet of the child. Also, the treatment gives good results in chronic diseases of the upper respiratory tract.

Advantages and disadvantages

What are the pros and cons of using such a mineral as ozokerite? Use at home makes it possible to highlight the main positive aspects:

convenience of the procedure at home;
can be combined with other treatments;
good tolerability of procedures;
availability at most resorts and sanatoriums.

Cons of application:

after performing the procedure, ozokerite must be restored and sterilized;
possible occurrence of burns with inept use;
unpleasant smell of the substance.

Side effects

Judging by the reviews, ozokerite can very rarely cause side effects if used according to the instructions and if there are medical indications.

Side effects may occur with individual intolerance or with increased sensitivity of the patient's skin. In this case, the treatment is stopped and other thermal procedures are prescribed.

Ozokerite: application, reviews after the procedure

Before starting treatment, the substance must be melted in a water bath. All actions must be carried out in rubber gloves to protect the skin from burns.

According to the instructions, the composition is applied to clean skin. Patients should be in the supine position. Ozokerite is applied for 1 hour, after which the application or compress is removed, and the places of application are covered with a film and wrapped well to keep warm for about 40-50 minutes. You don't need to wash your skin.

What is the best way to use ozocerite? Application at home is widely discussed on forums on the Internet. The procedure can be repeated every other day (if desired, every day), the general course of treatment is 10-20 procedures.

From parents you can find only positive feedback about the use of ozocerite in the treatment of children. Judging by the reviews, the course of treatment should be taken again, but only after 4-5 months.

The higher the purity and quality of the mineral, the safer the treatment will be and the higher its effectiveness.

Ozokeritotherapy is a physiotherapeutic procedure in which a mixture of solid saturated hydrocarbons is used to treat diseases of various etiologies. To date, this procedure has unproven clinical efficacy and life-threatening side effects. It is recommended to consult a doctor before undergoing the procedure.

Origin and chemical properties

Ozokerite has been found in Scotland, Northumberland, Wales, Ein Humar (Jordan) in the eastern Dead Sea, and at least 30 different countries.

Ozokerite is a mixture of various long chain hydrocarbons (from C22 to C53): from 85 to 87% of its weight is carbon. It is soluble in diethyl ether, petroleum, benzene, turpentine, chloroform, carbon disulfide and other organic solvents. The properties of ozocerite can be derived directly from the homologous series of alkanes: it is combustible, odorless and tasteless, and also has electrical and thermal insulation properties. The substance is quite resistant to sulfuric acid, bromine and cold nitric acid.

The effect of ozokerite substances on skin health is controversial. Critics argue that the layer of fat prevents the skin from breathing, contributes to wrinkles, and is deposited in the internal organs.

Many natural cosmetics companies avoid adding this substance to their products. However, dermatologists and chemists cannot fully confirm the harmful effects of a substance on the skin. Scientists emphasize the almost unlimited durability of ozocerite, low cost and good skin compatibility.

Shelf life - no more than 5 years. Storage conditions: away from the child and at room temperature.

Indications and contraindications

Ozokerite is a remedy that is used in medical institutions for physiotherapy. Due to its high melting point and low thermal conductivity, it is widely used for the rehabilitation of patients with degenerative-dystrophic disorders of the musculoskeletal system (arthritis, arthrosis, osteochondrosis, myositis, traumatic disorders) and diseases of the nervous system (neuritis, sciatica). Ozokerite procedures are considered to be one of the most widely used methods of thermotherapy in Ukraine, Russia and other CIS countries.

Ozokerite is one of the mineral waxes. The word "wax" is often used as a collective term for a number of chemically very different substances that are usually mixed at room temperature. They are a mixture of solid paraffinic hydrocarbons.

Ozokerite is a natural hard paraffin (“mountain wax”), which consists of high molecular weight hydrocarbons with impurities of isoparaffins and aromatic compounds. It can be used as a consistency regulator.

Mineral waxes have film-forming and hydrophobic (water-repellent) properties in cosmetic products and contribute to the formation of gloss on the skin (for example, in lipstick). In addition, they create consistency in creams and protect the skin from moisture loss. Paraffins used in cosmetics are highly purified, compatible and non-irritating to the skin.

The effectiveness of ozokeritotherapy for pain in the musculoskeletal system has been proven in clinical studies and is practiced for medical purposes. A relatively unexplored type of ozokerite therapy is the ozokerite bath, which is mainly used in the field of cosmetics to improve the elasticity of the tissues of the hands and feet. Also, the bath is suitable for relieving various discomforts in the arms, legs, knees and elbows. An ozocerite bath is often prescribed by physical therapists to treat broken bones, relieve arthritis pain, and treat inflammation and muscle tension.

Ozokerite is heated in a bath until melted. Then the affected part of the body (for example, the left arm) is immersed in the bath and pulled out. The process is repeated several times until a thin layer of wax is formed. After 15-20 minutes the mountain wax can be removed.

Due to the high temperature, the skin begins to sweat, but the water does not evaporate, but is absorbed by the skin. The heat also stimulates blood circulation and opens the pores. Ozokerite bath helps to relax the muscles. Depending on the symptoms, the ozocerite bath can be applied once a week or once a month.

Paraffins are used not only in cosmetology or medicine, but also in the food industry. Ozokerite is used in the production of chewing gum. Here it is usually designated under the number E 905. Various researchers explain that the substance is harmless because it is a natural distillate of petroleum. However, it is important to understand that the safety of paraffin-coated foods has not been fully proven in studies.

Experts for some time believed that the water-insoluble ozocerite simply lay on the skin in the form of a film. The skin cannot absorb the substance. While this gives a soft, relaxed feeling on the skin, it does more harm than good if used frequently as it clogs pores and disrupts the skin's natural regeneration mechanisms.

In the long term, the use of these beauty products can lead to dry skin and increased wrinkles.

Ozokeritotherapy can only be taken after consulting a doctor, since sometimes the potential risk may outweigh the benefits of using it. Prolonged use does more harm than therapeutic effect.

Side effects

The study of chronic toxicity and carcinogenicity of ozokerite was carried out in male and female F344 rats. Concentrations of 0%, 0.05%, 0.1% and 0.2% ozokerite were studied in a 52-week study. In the study, the drug caused a xenobiotic reaction against absorbed ozokerite, including the formation of histiocytosis and granulomas.

In the liver, granulomatous inflammation was accompanied by hepatocellular vacuolization and changes in serum biochemical parameters indicative of a hepatic disorder. In a carcinogenicity study, the incidence of hepatocellular adenoma and the overall incidence of tumors in the liver of all men were significantly increased compared with the control group. Long-term use of ozocerite agents has caused systemic chronic inflammation.

The type and frequency of adverse reactions may vary depending on the form of the drug.

Rare adverse reactions:

decreased concentration of potassium and calcium in the blood;
excessive production of the hormone aldosterone.

Very rare effects:

if ozocerite is accidentally inhaled, small concentrations of it (granulomas) may form in the lungs;
deposits may appear in the liver after many years of use.

If too much ozokerite is taken orally, uncontrolled diarrhea and skin lesions in the anal area may occur.

Application

Ozokerite treatment has been successfully used for many years in medicine. Heat relieves muscle tension, stimulates blood circulation and relieves pain. Ozokeritotherapy is suitable for the treatment of rheumatic complaints, joint discomfort, muscle pain and scar treatment.

According to the manufacturer's instructions, ozokerite must be heated until a fluid mass is formed.

The melted product from the pharmacy must be poured into the dishes. Hands, feet or other parts of the body are immersed in a dish containing hot wax. Under a layer of ozocerite, the temperature gradually rises by 1-2 degrees. Ozokerite opens pores and improves regional blood flow.

It is recommended to slowly dip one hand for about three seconds in a dish with a temperature of 50 to 55 degrees. Patients who are particularly sensitive to heat should dip their hands very slowly. If the patient uses ozokerite for therapeutic purposes, hands can be immersed in the bath up to 15 times. Ozokerite cools rapidly in air and becomes solid.

After about 15-20 minutes, the wax can be removed. It is recommended to repeat the procedure every 2-3 minutes. With regular use, small wrinkles disappear. The effectiveness of ozokeritotherapy has been partially proven in atopic dermatitis. For hands, a monthly use of an ozocerite bath is recommended.

The total period of ozokerite treatment is 1-2 hours. You can use ozocerite at home after consulting a specialist. The duration and method of physiotherapy is determined by the attending physician.

Interaction

Ozokerite inhibits the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. Therefore, you can not apply the drug to the skin with vitamins or other fat-soluble drugs. Ozokerite may reduce the effect of the following drugs when used simultaneously: anticoagulants, aminoglycoside antibiotics and contraceptives.

Clinical Efficiency

Ozokerite is commonly used as an effective remedy to improve blood circulation, relax muscles and speed up wound healing. Norwegian scientists conducted a clinical study of 52 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. All patients were treated three times a week for four weeks. Patients who underwent ozokerite therapy and exercise therapy significantly improved the quality of life.

Eileen and Marks conducted a systematic review of the effectiveness of ozocerite in arthritis. They found 4 randomized control trials: 3 out of 4 reported that after 3-4 weeks of ozocerite treatment, there were significant improvements in patients' hand function.

German scientists conducted a clinical trial to determine the effect of ozokerite therapy in combination with exercise on scleroderma. In 17 patients, the condition improved significantly. They concluded that bathing, combined with exercise, improved mobility, reduced joint stiffness, and increased connective tissue elasticity.

The effectiveness of the ozocerite bath has been confirmed in recent years in many diseases. Ozokerite helps patients with rheumatic problems, joint pain, muscle disorders, arthritis, bursitis and other diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Regular use of ozocerite bath reduces the symptoms of various diseases. For this reason, it is often used in preparation for physical therapy and to improve limb mobility due to scarring, dislocation, and other conditions.

The therapeutic effect of ozokeritotherapy is easily explained - heat. Since mountain wax has a high heat capacity, it also has a deep effect and penetrates even into the joints. Ozokerite well relaxes muscles and improves blood circulation.

The effect usually occurs after the first procedure. In acute symptoms, it is recommended to undergo no more than 1-2 procedures per week. If the patient does not feel pain, it is recommended to take a bath every 3-4 weeks. The bath is used for both feet and hands: after a thorough pedicure and cleansing of the skin.

Physiotherapy is not a substitute for full-fledged treatment. In some cases, surgery or medication is required. If severe symptoms appear, you should visit a doctor.

Before starting therapy, a doctor's consultation is necessary. Analogues of ozokerite, as well as applications of the substance, can have a carcinogenic effect. A qualified specialist will help you choose the right treatment. It is not recommended to self-medicate.

It is also called "black gold" and "tears of the earth" and is mined in the Ukrainian and Polish Carpathians, Great Britain, on the Cheleken peninsula in the Caspian Sea. If we turn to the composition of ozocerite, it contains mineral oils, resins and other substances useful for the body. In general, this substance has a dark color, practical black. Ozokerite is a complex mixture.

However, medical and industrial ozocerite are not exactly the same thing. A substance that is planned to be used for medicinal purposes must undergo special treatment. As a result of cleaning, ozokerite acquires a white color.

Thanks to its chemical elements, ozokerite has anti-inflammatory, resolving and regenerating properties. It is important that it is able to penetrate into the human body through healthy areas of the skin and have a positive effect on painful areas.

Modern medicine uses ozocerite topically in the form of applications and tampons. It can be used vaginally and rectally by soaking tampons for insertion with medical ozocerite. More often, ozocerite is melted and applied to the painful area of the body on top of the oilcloth. It is worth remembering that, like any paraffin-containing agent, ozokerite needs to be melted. At the same time, it is worth knowing that this substance is highly flammable, as a result of which its contact with an open flame is unacceptable. It can start a fire. Ozokerite is melted in a water bath or in special devices.

Interestingly, in the mining areas, the healing properties of ozocerite have been known for a long time. People have noticed that in some situations this remedy is very effective, for example, in neuralgic diseases, dislocations and sprains.

Scope - physiotherapy

However, the main place of application of ozokerite is physiotherapy. Widely known physiotherapy with ozocerite. In medicine, preparations based on ozocerite are used, for example, "Ozoceramin" and "Ozoparaffin", as well as napkins impregnated with ozocerite. It is important that preparations based on ozokerite rarely cause side effects. It also added to the popularity of this substance.

However, at the same time, ozokerite is undesirable in the treatment of diseases in which there is a threat of suppuration, for example, with adnexitis. In addition, a contraindication is the use of ozocerite in any acute stages of inflammatory diseases. Therefore, the use of this substance must be supervised by a doctor.

Ozokerite treatment

Usually, ozokerite is used for physiotherapeutic purposes, namely for warming up diseased areas of the musculoskeletal system and inflammatory chronic diseases accompanied by peripheral circulation disorders. Ozokerite compresses have a surface-irritating effect on the skin, causing a rush of blood and stimulating blood circulation in the capillaries, improving metabolism in the heated zone. In addition, ozokerite has an analgesic, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and resolving effect. On the basis of ozocerite, such medicinal products as ozokerafin, ozocerafin, ozocerafin and even napkins from ozokeraphin are produced.

Traditionally, ozokerite treatment is carried out in sanatoriums and clinics. Indications for its appointment are arthritis, arthrosis, radiculitis, contractures, neuritis, myositis, trophic ulcers of the extremities and bedsores. In addition, ozokerite is used to treat some chronic diseases that are in remission - for example, pyelonephritis, cholecystitis, urethritis, and so on. It is also used for the complex therapy of female and male infertility, as well as in the process of post-traumatic rehabilitation.

Carrying out treatment

Ozokerite is used in the form of compresses or applications that are applied to clean, dry skin with removed vegetation. From a wide bandage folded in eight layers, a gasket is made, and the ozocerite itself is melted, a compress is moistened in it, squeezed out and cooled to 45-50 ° C. Then a second compress is made with a temperature of 70-80 ° C, which is applied over the first without contact with the skin, covered with oilcloth and a blanket, and wait 30-40 minutes. Ozokerite applications are applied daily or every two days - the total course of treatment consists of 15-20 procedures.

As for contraindications and side effects, ozokerite is completely safe if it is used strictly according to the instructions and is not applied during an exacerbation of diseases. At the same time, ozocerite treatment is not used in the presence of bleeding, tumors, ulcers of the gastrointestinal tract, tuberculosis, urolithiasis, pathologies of the liver, cardiovascular system and pancreas. You can not use ozokerite for thyrotoxicosis, epilepsy, diabetes, pregnancy and some gynecological diseases.

Oil refining process

The process of distillation of oil is carried out at refineries through the use of complex physical and chemical-technological processes. It includes the primary preparation of raw materials, in which oil is freed from water, mineral salts and various mechanical impurities. Then, at different stages of boiling during vacuum distillation, the oil is separated into fractions. They do this in order to isolate the substances originally present in it.

Types of refined products

The main purpose of the oil refining process is the production of petroleum products and fuel mixtures. They are divided into light: gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene, having a different grade and density, and dark, such as fuel oil, heating oil and others.

The heavy residue formed at the end of the vacuum distillation of oil is called tar. It is he who is the raw material for the production of the well-known bitumen, which, together with crushed stone, sand and mineral powder, is part of the asphalt.

There is a huge industry formed on the basis of hydrocarbon raw materials obtained in the process of oil refining. The petrochemical industry is engaged in the production of raw materials for the manufacture of plastics, chemicals, alcohol and many other components necessary for the national economy.

Many well-known lubricants are products of petroleum distillation. Automotive and machine oils used for corrosion protection, friction reduction and conservation are also based on hydrocarbons.

In the process of oil refining, so-called associated petroleum gases are formed. They are used as a fuel mixed with other components, as well as for the production of acetone, acetic acid and many types of solvents.

It is impossible to imagine the modern cosmetic industry without oil derivatives, which are part of creams and peels in the form of mineral oil, paraffin and many other substances that perform various functions. Mineral oil is the basis of powder, mascara, blush and foundation.

The use in medicine of such refined products as ozokerite, paraffin, naftalan and kerosene allows obtaining positive results in the treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system, internal organs and various pathologies, including disorders in the central nervous system.

You can be treated not only with pills, injections and herbs. An excellent effect in many diseases is given by thermal procedures. Most often they are carried out with paraffin, but connoisseurs use a unique resinous substance for this - ozocerite. What is it, what indications and contraindications does it have and how to use it correctly?

Healing "abilities" of mountain wax

Ozokerite is a wax of natural origin, a mineral from the bitumen group. It is black, plastic, with a specific smell. In medicine, it is used for thermal procedures. It has a pronounced analgesic, anti-inflammatory, absorbable, anti-allergic and anti-spastic effect, improves blood circulation in the affected organ. It contains mineral oils, resinous substances, iron, sodium, potassium, nitrogen and other minerals necessary for the body, but should not contain alkalis, acids, water, otherwise it can cause burns. One of its features is that the wax cools extremely slowly, while it does not create discomfort if it is heated to 60-70 degrees.

To whom is ozokerite treatment indicated?

Applications with ozokerite are allowed for adults and young patients. They are shown with:

colds;
diseases of the joints and spinal trunk (in chronic form);
after injuries (fractures, torn ligaments);
inflammation " like a woman", including tubal infertility;
pathologies of ENT organs;
diseases of peripheral vessels and nerves.

Who should not resort to such procedures?

Physiotherapy with ozokerite is usually carried out in sanatoriums, but they are also allowed to be done at home, the main thing is to take into account the indications and contraindications for such treatment. It is strongly not recommended to use this mineral for heating if:

the patient has a high temperature;
the disease proceeds in an acute stage or a chronic disease has become aggravated;
found in humans benign or a cancerous tumor or there is a suspicion of an oncological disease;
the patient suffers from an ulcer, cardiac pathologies, disorders in the liver, pancreas;
diagnosed with hypertension;
there is severe atherosclerosis;
there is a purulent process or there are inflammatory diseases in the area of \u200b\u200bthe skin where it is planned to put a compress;
There is predisposition to bleeding.

Important! It is forbidden to warm up with the use of ozocerite for women who are carrying a child. Ozokerite cakes should not be placed on the heart area.

Read also:

Sanatorium at home: how to use ozocerite?

Fresh ozokerite can be purchased at a pharmacy. It costs only 100 rubles, it is suitable for repeated use. There are several ways to use ozocerite. How to use this mineral at home? Here are the easiest ways:

compress from ozocerite cakes. Take ozokerite, cut it into small pieces. Put them in a jar. Immerse it 2/3 of the volume in a pot of water so that the mineral is below the water level. At the bottom of the container it is better to put a wooden stand to the bank didn't break. Keep it in a water bath until the mineral melts. Then line any container (or a baking sheet) with sides of at least 5 cm with a film. Pour heated ozocerite on it. Cooling, it will turn into a flat cake about 2-5 cm thick. When it cools down to 50-60 degrees, take it out of the container along with oilcloth and apply it to the skin. From above cover with a scarf or a small blanket. Keep for about half an hour. At the end of all manipulations, remove the wax residues with cotton wool and petroleum jelly;
layering . Bring ozokerite to a liquid consistency according to the method described above. When its temperature reaches 55˚ (no more!), take a brush and spread it on the skinpreviously lubricated with petroleum jelly. To form each subsequent layer, take a hotter composition (70 -80˚). Their height is from 1 to 2 cm. Put an oilcloth on top of the last layer, additionally insulate the compress with a blanket;
ozocerite bath. Heat the mineral to 50 -55˚. Apply it to the foot or hand, dip it into an oilcloth bag or bowl filled with a liquid composition. Tighten the bag along the edge, cover the limb with a warm diaper;
multilayer compress. Fold gauze 7-8 times. Impregnate it with molten ozocerite, squeeze lightly. Spread on oilcloth. Wait until it reaches a comfortable temperature (45 -50˚). Apply to the affected area. another napkin, a few smaller sizes, also impregnate with a mineral (it should be hotter). Top cover with wax paper or a piece of oilcloth, wrap;
tampons for vaginal and rectal use gynecological problems and diseases of the rectum. They use paraffin mixed with ozocerite, but you can do all this only with the permission of a doctor.

Procedures should be planned in a day or two, and on the third - a break. The duration of thermal exposure is from 30 minutes to an hour. After the patient must rest for 30-60 minutes. The course usually includes 10-15 sessions.

Important! Great care should be exercised when performing procedures with hot ozocerite. It is better to take out the gauze soaked in the composition with tweezers. Before applying a compress, it is necessary to check its temperature.

If ozokerite therapy will be used to treat a child, then it is better to use a paraffin-ozocerite mixture. It is prepared in a ratio of 2 to 1.

Pleasant and effective: what do patients say about this treatment?

Ozokerite is a hydrocarbon that belongs to the group of petroleum bitumens and is a mineral. It is used for scientific and technical purposes, as well as in medicine for the purpose of physiotherapeutic manipulations.

Composition and chemical properties

Ozokerite in its structure is a complex mixture of solid saturated high-molecular hydrocarbons, mineral oils and resinous substances. The consistency of ozokerite depends on the amount of resinous-asphalt substances and oils in its composition. It can vary from soft, greasy to hard and brittle, gypsum-like. Most often, ozokerite is waxy, and its hardness varies with temperature.

The color of this substance also depends on its composition and can vary from light yellow to black. Brown and green ozocerite are also found. This substance has a characteristic kerosene smell. It does not dissolve in water, alkalis and alcohol, but it can dissolve in kerosene, gasoline, chloroform and some other substances. Ozokerite is very flammable, so it must be protected from fire.

Indications

Ozokerite treatment is quite widespread today. The main branch of its use is physiotherapy. This substance has low thermal conductivity with high heat capacity, so it is used to prepare warming compresses for certain diseases of the musculoskeletal system, as well as for chronic inflammatory diseases with impaired peripheral circulation.

The chemical composition of medical ozokerite has a surface-irritating effect on the skin, which causes a rush of blood. Thus, the treatment allows you to stimulate blood circulation in the subcutaneous capillaries and improve metabolism in the zone of compress exposure. Ozokerite has analgesic, absorbable, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effects. On its basis, ozocerafin, ozocerafin, ozocerafin and even ozocerafin napkins are produced.

Ozokerite treatment is usually carried out in the conditions of sanatorium-and-spa institutions. It is also often included in the complex of rehabilitation measures in outpatient settings. The list of indications includes arthrosis, arthritis, contractures, radiculitis, myositis, neuritis, bedsores, trophic ulcers of the lower leg, as well as some chronic diseases in remission, for example, urethritis, cholecystitis, pyelonephritis, etc. Also, as part of complex therapy, ozocerite treatment is used for infertility, both female and male, and during post-traumatic rehabilitation.

Instructions for use (method and dosage)

The instructions for ozocerite recommend using it in the form of compresses or using the cuvette application method. Compresses, like cakes prepared in cuvettes, are applied to dry, clean skin. Abundant vegetation, if present, must be shaved off. It is recommended to undergo procedures in the supine position.

To prepare a compress, it is necessary to fold a wide bandage in 8 layers, making the so-called gasket. Ozokerite is melted in a water bath or in a special apparatus. The gasket is moistened in the solution, then outlived, cooled to a temperature of about 45-50 ° C and applied to the affected area. The second pad with a temperature of 70-80 ° C is applied over the first without contact with the skin. The compress is covered with oilcloth or waxed paper, and a blanket is placed on top.

When using the cuvette-application method, hot liquid ozocerite is poured into cuvettes lined with wax paper. The cake is allowed to cool to 45-50 ° C and removed by the edges of waxed paper. The cake is applied to the affected area with paper up, and a blanket or something else is placed on top of it for warming.

An ozocerite compress is applied for 30-40 minutes or a little more, after which it is removed and the place of application is wrapped with a warm scarf for 40 minutes. The procedure is repeated daily or every other day, in total, 15-20 procedures are usually required.

Side effects

Side effects, as a rule, occur in people with hypersensitivity or intolerance to this substance. In this case, treatment must be stopped.

Contraindications

It is also necessary to take into account contraindications to ozocerite when planning treatment. The drug is contraindicated in patients with any diseases in the acute stage, as well as with chronic diseases during periods of exacerbation. Ozokerite is also contraindicated in case of bleeding or the threat of their occurrence, in the presence of tumors, both malignant and benign, ulcers of the digestive tract, tuberculosis, severe pathologies of the cardiovascular system, urolithiasis, liver and pancreas lesions.