How to make a compress at home? What types of compresses are there (this is useful to know) What is compression paper.

Otitis in a child is a common phenomenon. You can ease your baby's pain with a warm compress. All mothers know about this, but not every mother knows how to properly make this compress, apply it to the child, and when this should not be done. We will talk about this in detail in this article.

Why do you need a compress?

Age-related features of the structure of the hearing organs in children are a wide and insufficiently long auditory tube, which is located horizontally. Various liquids and nasal mucus during a runny nose can get into it, resulting in inflammation. As the child grows, the auditory tube also enlarges, it becomes more vertical, and otitis media recedes.

However, between the ages of 1 and 12 years, otitis may occur several times a year.

Ear inflammation can be external, middle and internal. Most often, otitis media is diagnosed in children. For any otitis media, consultation with a doctor is mandatory., because we are talking about preserving auditory function and preventing inflammation of nearby organs, primarily the brain. However, sharp acute pain in the ear tends to appear most often at night, when clinics are not open.

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Interior

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A warm compress is not a way to treat otitis media, but the opportunity to alleviate the child’s condition before providing medical assistance. Most parents' home medicine cabinets, of course, also contain ear drops in case of otitis media, but putting them in without being sure of the integrity of the eardrum is a huge risk. It is impossible to check whether the membrane is intact at home without special equipment. Therefore, the issue of using drops before a medical examination is removed from the agenda for sensible parents.

It is not difficult to apply a compress to a child’s ear; it does not require extensive and deep medical knowledge if the algorithm of actions is known.

Pleasant warmth helps reduce pain and relieve swelling a little.

When you can’t apply a compress

It is strictly forbidden to apply a warm compress to a child if if he has purulent or bloody discharge from the ear. Their appearance indicates perforation of the eardrum, a bacterial complication of otitis media. In this case, heat will only increase the activity of pyogenic bacteria, and the infection risks acquiring life-threatening proportions.

Purulent otitis media

Do not use a warm compress for otitis externa, which most often manifests itself in the formation of painful boils on the auricle. If there are injuries, wounds, abrasions on or near the ear, or if the child’s ears have recently been pierced and the wounds have not yet healed, a warm compress should not be applied.

If the pain in the ear did not come alone, but with a high temperature, this is also a contraindication for the procedure. Thus, a compress can be applied only in case of acute otitis, in which there is no discharge from the ear, temperature, visible ulcers or boils.

What will you need?

It is best to prepare a list of what you need in advance and store it in a home medicine cabinet in case of sudden nocturnal otitis. Then the child will not have to suffer for a long time while the mother, in her sleep, frantically searches around the house for something suitable for preparing a compress. So, you will need:

Gauze napkins (ready-made pharmacy or homemade) 10x10 cm in size. One compress requires 7-8 of these single-layer napkins or the same number of gauze layers.
Compressed wax paper. It should be noted right away that you should not replace it with cellophane or baking paper. This paper retains heat well due to paraffin impregnation. It costs mere pennies (no more than 20 rubles) and is sold in any pharmacy. The paper should be larger than the gauze to cover it completely. It is best to measure 12x12 cm.

compression paper

Cotton wool. You should not take too thick a layer, since more does not mean healthier. The area of the cotton layer should exceed the area of the gauze and the area of the paper. It is optimal to make a layer of cotton wool 14x14 cm with a thickness of no more than 2 centimeters.
Sunflower oil. Heated, warm, but not hot. The optimal temperature is 37-38 degrees Celsius. In small quantities.
Diluted medical alcohol. The pure product is diluted approximately half and half with water to obtain a liquid with a strength of 30-40%. If there is no alcohol, you can take 40-proof vodka and not dilute anything with anything.

Bandage. It is best to use a sterile pharmaceutical bandage of large width. If this is not the case, you can use a non-sterile bandage. If there is no bandage at all, prepare a scarf, the main thing is that it does not have long woolen pile.
Scissors. Manicure ones from your mother's cosmetic bag will not work. You need regular, large classic scissors.

It is important to remember that children under 4 years old can only apply a compress with vegetable oil. For older children - with vodka or diluted medical alcohol.

For children over 3 years old, you can replace vegetable oil with camphor oil, but unlike vegetable oil, it has side effects and contraindications. If the child has not previously used camphor oil, it is better not to risk it, since otitis media does not give time for experiments.

Some parents mistakenly believe that they can make a semi-alcohol compress using both oil and alcohol at the same time. There is no need to do this; it is impractical.

Algorithm of actions

It is clear that a child screaming in pain leaves no chance for the mother to remain calm, but first you need to pull yourself together and calm the child down. While you are telling him a story or singing a song, You should prepare everything for the compress:

In the gauze layer in the center, a vertical hole is cut with scissors of a size suitable for the child’s ear to fit through easily. A similar hole is made in the compress paper. The cotton layer is left intact.
The child is seated in front of him on a chair, bed, or on his dad’s lap (this is preferable, since it is advisable to hold the baby so that he does not spin).
Anyone who will apply the compress must wash their hands thoroughly and treat them with an antiseptic.
The child’s head is placed in such a way that the affected ear is on top, the hair is removed (pinned up, collected in a ponytail), if there are earrings, they should be removed.
A product is poured into a small shallow bowl - an alcohol solution (for children over 4 years old) or sunflower oil (for children under 4 years old).

Staging technique

Do everything calmly, communicating with your baby in a friendly tone:

The first layer is gauze. The napkin is moistened in oil or alcohol solution and easily wrung out. It is important that it does not spill or drip. After this, the layer is carefully applied to the ear, not forgetting to insert the auricle into the slot cut specially for it.
The second layer is paper. The waxed paper is placed in the same way on the auricle through the slot and pressed tightly against the gauze. The purpose of paper is to retain heat, which is why it has a slightly larger area than gauze.

The third layer is cotton. The prepared “insulation” is used to cover both previous layers.
The fourth layer is bandage. This, in fact, is already fixing the compress. As already mentioned, in the absence of a bandage, use a scarf.

Subtleties of applying a compress

The most difficult thing about this warming compress is to properly fix everything that was folded on the ear. You need to start bandaging from the side of the healthy ear. This is where the fixation is usually completed, making a neat bow. When bandaging, you should not bandage a healthy ear at all; “circle” it with a bandage, first in front, then behind, so that the ear looks out the “window”.

All that remains is to check whether everything is recorded correctly. To do this, use the index finger. If the compress is applied in compliance with all the rules, then it does not allow the finger to pass through, or with great difficulty it can pass through. An incorrect application is considered to be one in which the compress lies loosely on the ear, dangles, and allows air to pass through.

If an unidentified fluid is discharged from the ear, if there is pus or boils, You can give your child a dry compress. Everything is done in the same way, only the gauze is not wetted with anything. There is little benefit in such a compress, so applying it by and large does not make sense. But if it makes it easier for parents to wait until the morning when the clinics open, then why not.

For some characteristic pains, the situation can be improved with the help of a compress. Applying a compress is essentially applying a bandage soaked in one or another medicine to a sore spot. There are several types of them: hot and cold, warming and medicinal compresses. However, when applying any of them, you should remember that in order to avoid irritation and other allergic reactions of the skin, before starting work directly, the affected area of the body must be lubricated with cream or Vaseline, and now we will learn how to properly make a compress at home and what compresses there are.

photo of applying a cold compress to the head

Learning how to make a compress correctly

Now we will tell you which compress is best suited to each option.

Warming

Warming. This type is used to relieve pain in inflammatory joint diseases, sore throat, and infiltrates. Its action is based on the warming effect of the internal tissues of the human body. Thanks to this, you can achieve a significant reduction in swelling, relaxation of muscles contracted by cramps, and relief from inflammation. Knowing in practice how to make a warming compress, you can apply it at home, significantly alleviating the patient’s condition until qualified assistance is provided.
A cotton cloth moistened with ordinary water at 20 0 temperature is first applied directly to the diseased area of the body. Instead of fabric, you can use gauze folded in four or a table napkin. The material must be squeezed out well.

Special compress paper is placed on top of it. You can also prepare regular oilcloth. The main thing is that it does not allow the wet fabric to dry out and lose heat.
The third layer is a warming material - a woolen scarf or cotton wool. It is important that the material is thick enough. All this must be tightly bandaged on top, so that no air gets inside. This method is left for 8 hours (can be done overnight), and then removed and wiped the sore spot with a warm towel.

Four-layer, and each subsequent layer should be slightly larger than the previous one. We must remember that any skin diseases will be the main contraindication to the use of this type. A stronger effect can be obtained by using an alcohol warming compress. It must be applied in the same way as described above, only instead of water, the first layer is moistened with an alcohol or vodka solution in a ratio of 1:3 or 1:2, respectively.

In your ear

Some peculiarities exist when applying a compress to the ear.

The first layer, soaked in a 1:2 alcohol solution (camphor alcohol can be used), must be squeezed out well and applied around the auricle so that both the ear canal and the auricle remain free.
The compress paper is cut into a circle shape and a cut is made in the center.
Through the incision, you can put the paper on the sore ear, again, so as not to close the concha and ear canal.
Then cover the top of the paper with cotton wool and bandage it.
It is not recommended to leave it overnight. A few hours is enough.
You can repeat the procedure every day until the pain symptoms disappear.

Drug

The first layer for making a medicinal compress is moistened in a 1% soda solution, Boer fluid, or even Vishnevsky ointment, preheated a little in warm water. Has a more pronounced analgesic effect.

Hot

Spasms of blood vessels and muscles of internal organs will be an indication for applying a hot compress. Can be used for migraines, angina, pain in the bladder, and bronchial asthma. Apply directly to the affected area. The system of using four layers is the same as when applying a warm compress. The first layer is wetted with hot water with a temperature of up to 70 0, which must be quickly wrung out and applied. In addition, hot compresses are not bandaged, but only pressed firmly with the hand until the temperature is completely lost, after which the first layer is replaced with a new one and continues to be held. It should not be applied if there is a risk of bleeding, with high blood pressure, as well as with abdominal pain and inflammation in the abdominal cavity.

Cold

This is applied for nosebleeds, various injuries to the upper tissues, ligaments, and strong heartbeat. It can also be used to cool the body at elevated air temperatures, for example, in the summer. Its effect is reduced to vasoconstriction due to the cooling effect. The fabric for the cold compress procedure is pre-moistened with cold water and wrung out. Applying it directly to the area of concern, wrap it with a dry bandage.

The question often arises: how long to keep the compress on? It is enough to hold it for about an hour. Such procedures are not carried out at night. In case of severe overload of the body, a similar compress can be applied to the forehead and back of the head. This can replace the use of large quantities of cold water.

From time immemorial, heating bandages have been used as one of the mandatory therapeutic techniques in the treatment of a number of ailments. However, despite the wide popularity of this cheap physiotherapeutic procedure, there are often cases of incorrect application of warm compresses and ignorance of the algorithm for their use. The general technique of any warming application is simple: take a warming agent (heated water is possible), soak a bandage or cotton-gauze bandage with this agent; Cover the area on the body with material soaked in a warming agent; We put compress paper on top, a dry cotton layer and bandage the compress so that it holds well and does not interfere with blood circulation.

Materials for applying a compress are cheap

Warming compresses are used to increase blood circulation in tissues and organs, the restoration of health of which requires increased metabolism (metabolism) in areas affected by the disease.

The algorithm for performing a warm compress at home is simple. For this technique you will need:

warming component (warm water, alcohol, turpentine, ointment, etc.);
bandage and cotton wool;
cling film or compress paper.

Cling film or compress paper can be replaced with any other material that does not allow heat to pass through and can create a damp “greenhouse effect.” This could be a plastic bag, tracing paper, etc. Another mandatory requirement for the covering material is that it should not injure or irritate the skin in places of contact with it.

The compress must be firmly fixed

Sequence (algorithm) of actions when applying a warming water compress:

heat the water to the required temperature (40-45ºС);
moisten cotton wool in heated water (there should be enough cotton wool so that when applied to the surface of the skin it covers the entire area of influence of the heating application and the thickness of the cotton layer is no less than 1 cm);
On top of the layer of cotton wool it is necessary to apply 2-3 layers of compress paper or any other material that retains moisture and heat;
a layer of dry cotton wool is placed on top of the compress paper;

last of all, it is necessary to apply a bandage that would completely cover all previous layers (the bandage should not be tight or very loose, it should ensure normal adherence of the compress to the affected area and free blood circulation).

The technique of applying a bandage is similar to bandaging wounds.

Warming compresses also include a vodka or alcohol compress.

Algorithm for applying a vodka compress, which is done at home:

dilute 96% alcohol with water in the following ratio: 1 part alcohol to 3 parts water or dilute vodka in a ratio of 1 part vodka to 1 part water;
soak a layer of cotton wool in diluted alcohol or vodka, squeeze out the cotton wool and place this layer on the surface of the skin in the place where a warming effect is required;
cover a layer of cotton wool with compress paper or any other material that does not allow heat and moisture to pass into the external environment;
make a layer of dry cotton wool;
Apply a loose bandage on top of the compress paper or a material replacing it (the bandage must be applied in several layers so that it completely covers the surface of the compress).

For patients whose skin reacts painfully to the aggressive effects of alcohol, it is recommended either not to do alcohol warming applications at all, or to apply a semi-alcohol compress.

The peculiarity of the algorithm for applying a semi-alcohol compress is that when preparing it, you should increase the amount of water: instead of 3 parts of water, dilute the alcohol with 5-6 parts of water.

The application of warm compresses based on medicinal ointments should be done in strict accordance with the instructions for these medications. The method and time of action of the warming components in such specialized medications can be very different from the mechanism of action of a conventional warming compress and, accordingly, the algorithm for using such agents is also different.

In accordance with the algorithm, the time for applying a warming bandage is 5-8 hours. After the specified time interval, it is necessary to remove the bandage, wrap the area on the body where the warming effect was used with a soft natural fabric. This gentle heat can be used before applying the next compress, which can be done after 5-6 hours.

When is heating applied?

Warming compresses are one of the physiotherapeutic agents for the treatment of inflammatory processes in joints, muscle tissue, and some vascular diseases.

Also, the effect of warming neck bandages is used in restorative and rehabilitation therapy in the treatment of sore throats and other inflammatory diseases in the larynx.

If you have a sore throat, applying a warm compress will help.

Indications for the use of a compress should be made by the attending physician, who observes the entire course of the disease and can prevent the occurrence of complications due to inappropriate warming. It is almost impossible to make such a forecast on your own. Ideally, the doctor should determine the algorithm for using such warming applications.

The use of warm compresses for joint diseases

The algorithm for applying warming bandages for joints and the technique for preparing for this procedure are quite simple; it is easy to do it yourself at home. However, due to the fact that such a compress is considered a potent remedy and its use affects the entire body, experts advise that before using warming, consult a therapist to determine the presence of contraindications.

According to doctors, such a compress can be used for arthrosis, arthritis, bruises, and sprains.

You can relieve pain and swelling from a bruise using a compress.

Warming application can be done according to the mechanism indicated in the first part of this review.

Warming components allowed for use:

alcohol;
vodka;
alcoholic infusions of herbs;
turpentine;
medicinal warming ointments, etc.

Such warming bandages have an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect. The compress is applied for 6-8 hours, twice a day: in the morning and at night.

To avoid the compress slipping when applied to the moving joints of the upper and lower extremities (elbow, knee bend), it is necessary to increase the area of application of the compress itself with a warming component and increase the area of bandaging. It is not recommended to use adhesive tape to strengthen such a compress on the joint.

Warming applications for throat diseases

In case of inflammation of the throat, cough, as well as other diseases of the respiratory tract, compresses can be performed only if there is evidence from the attending physician.

This precaution is due to the fact that sore throat and cough are infectious diseases. As you know, the infection begins to actively spread in a warm environment. That is why premature manipulations associated with the treatment of throat and cough compresses can only aggravate the clinical picture of the disease.

You need to treat your throat with a compress after consulting a doctor.

In these cases, a compress can be applied only after the body has overcome the infection, i.e. at the stage of recovery and getting rid of the negative effects of infectious agents.

If there is evidence from the attending physician, a warm compress on the throat area when coughing or other inflammations of the upper respiratory tract can be performed according to the algorithm and using the technique indicated in the first part of this article.

For a warming application on the neck when coughing, gentle warming components are used, such as warm water, semi-alcohol solution, boiled potatoes, honey, etc.

When not to apply a compress

Even if there are general indications for the use of warming applications, such a physiotherapeutic remedy cannot be used if there are a number of contraindications.

A compress should not be placed on the neck in cases where the patient has tuberculosis or is diagnosed with other serious infections in the body.

It is also impossible to apply additional heat to the neck if the patient suffers from cardiovascular diseases.

For diseases of the heart and blood vessels, the use of a compress on the neck is prohibited

Any warming compresses are contraindicated in the presence of skin diseases or rashes on the body.

Compressotherapy is successfully used to treat arthrosis, otitis, and myositis, along with tablet and injection medications. In this case, the drug penetrates the affected tissues through the skin. Local thermal effects have an additional therapeutic effect. Compress paper is actively used in the manufacture of bandages.

Compound

As a base, a layer of technical paper is used, on the working surfaces of which a thin layer of paraffin melted at 70-80 degrees is applied.

Characteristics

The layer of paraffin covering the surface of the paper significantly changes the properties of the material:

density increases;
the paper becomes hydrophobic (impermeable to water and steam) and translucent.

Waxed compress paper has long been actively used in medical and pharmaceutical practice. In pharmaceutical production, it replaced wax paper, which actively absorbed the odors of medicines.

Self-production

Today, compress paper is not in short supply and is freely available in pharmacies. But if desired, it can be made at home. To do this, you need to prepare thick paper - the future base, printer paper (you may not need it, but it’s better to have it), sheets of parchment, iron and paraffin. You can use a crushed candle or special granular store-bought paraffin.

Lay a thick towel on the ironing board so that if the paraffin spreads, you won’t get unsightly streaks on the ironing surface.
Pour a layer of paraffin between the sheets of parchment and iron it until melted.
We place a sheet of thick paper between sheets of parchment in paraffin and iron it again.
If there is not enough paraffin, you can add it and iron it again.
If there is too much paraffin, place a piece of printer paper between the parchment sheets and iron again. The printing paper will absorb excess paraffin.
We determine “readiness” by touch - by the smoothness of the paper surface. If the surface remains rough, then there is still excess paraffin, you need to repeat the procedure with the printer sheet.

After cooling, the paper is ready for use. Along with medical use (for compresses), waxed paper is used in arts and crafts, in the home production of decorative candles, crafts, and scrapbooking. It is used to transfer drawings, create flower arrangements, and decorate. For craftswomen, this paper is a real treasure!

Joint pain is the most common manifestation of acute and chronic diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Various methods are used in the treatment of joint diseases. The most commonly used drug treatment is non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Nonsteroids quickly relieve symptoms of inflammation and pain, but have a pronounced irritating effect on the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract.

Therefore, they should not be taken for gastritis and peptic ulcers. Even in the absence of any changes in the stomach, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can cause the development of drug-induced gastritis, and with prolonged use, the formation of stomach ulcers is possible.

What can replace non-steroids? One of the most effective methods of treating joint diseases are various compresses, including warming ones.

How to apply a warm compress?

A properly applied warm compress relieves pain, swelling and other symptoms of inflammation. It is better to apply a warm compress at night, as it acts within 6-8 hours.

The effect of a warming compress is to use internal heat generated in inflamed tissues. The use of a waterproof layer of material in the compress prevents liquid evaporation and cooling. Under the influence of this procedure, local blood circulation increases, which leads to a decrease in swelling, resolution of inflammation, and a decrease in spasms and convulsive muscle contractions. All this leads to a decrease or complete disappearance of pain and an improvement in general condition.

The compress consists of four layers. Each subsequent layer should be 3-4 cm wider than the previous one. As the first layer of compress, use a gauze napkin or a piece of any cotton fabric, folded in 2-3 layers. The size of the napkin or cloth should be 2-3 cm larger than the affected area. The fabric is moistened with water at room temperature and lightly wrung out. You can use a semi-alcoholic solution, for the preparation of which equal amounts of alcohol and water are mixed. This solution can be replaced with regular vodka. A compress with a semi-alcohol solution has a more pronounced warming effect. The use of compresses with various pharmaceuticals is also effective: dimexide, bischofite, medical bile and other liquids. A moistened and slightly wrung-out napkin or cloth is applied to the sore joint.

The next layer of compress is applied on top of the napkin - compress paper, which can be replaced with parchment, oilcloth or a plastic bag. The main role of this layer is to prevent the compress from drying out quickly. It should be 3-4 cm larger than the first.

The next layer of warming compress consists of cotton wool. The joint is wrapped with cotton wool on all sides. It can be replaced with a warm scarf, woolen material or flannel. The third layer should be larger than the second and thick enough to retain heat.

The last layer of the compress is a bandage, which is used to secure all the previous layers well, being careful not to squeeze the tissue so as not to disrupt blood circulation. Place the compress against the surface of the body to prevent heat loss.

Soon after the compress is applied, a pleasant warmth appears, which lasts for several hours. Even when the compress is removed after 6-8 hours, the skin underneath remains moist and warm. You can do this procedure 1-2 times a day, once at night, the second time during the day.

Immediately after applying a warming compress, you should not go outside, especially in the cold season. Long-term use of compresses may cause skin irritation in the form of redness or rash. In this case, it is recommended to take a break for 1-2 days and treat the skin with drying powder or powder.

The use of a warm compress is effective for inflammatory joint diseases, bruises, sprains and other consequences of injuries. This simple procedure is also used for acute thrombophlebitis, tonsillitis, laryngitis and tracheitis, infiltrates after injections and other inflammatory diseases. The use of a compress is contraindicated for skin diseases, pustular rashes, and an increased tendency to bleed.