Description of the drug
The successful use of petroleum jelly for constipation is ensured by its chemical composition. The drug is a purified fraction of oil, which is obtained during the production of kerosene. At its core, petroleum jelly is liquid paraffin. It does not contain a single organic substance hazardous to health. This is why it is allowed to use Vaseline oil for constipation in infants. It also shows itself well in cosmetology.
It is important to note that only medical Vaseline oil can be used for medicinal purposes. It is an oily liquid, colorless and almost odorless. You only need to purchase it at a pharmacy. Industrial petroleum jelly is sold in stores. It has a yellowish color and is used for technical purposes.
Composition of the drug
Vaseline oil, or, as it is called, liquid paraffin, is a synthetic product of a purified petroleum fraction, obtained after distilling kerosene. The product contains no harmful chemical compounds. Vaseline oil is a colorless oily liquid used as a base in ointments.
Liquid paraffin is available in glass bottles of 30 and 100 ml. The oil is also sold in 2 ml ampoules. The main effect of the oil is as a laxative. It helps ease bowel movements and softens stool in the intestines. It is also used in cosmetics and pharmacology: as a basis for all kinds of creams and ointments.
- For constipation. Vaseline oil softens feces and coats the intestinal walls, facilitating the movement of feces through the intestines and the actual process of defecation.
- In case of poisoning with fat-soluble poisons, for example, gasoline or kerosene.
- For lubricating dry skin. Vaseline oil has a softening effect.
- For lubricating catheters and as a lubricant for other medical procedures.
- As a base for ointments.
Release form
You can purchase the drug at any pharmacy. It is available in glass bottles. Most often their volume is 100 ml. But you can buy bottles of 25, 30, 40 or 50 ml. You do not need a recipe to purchase Vaseline oil. As a rule, bottles are not packaged in cardboard boxes. Instructions for the drug are most often not included. All necessary information is contained on the label. Your doctor should explain how to use the product. It is prohibited to treat constipation with liquid paraffin on your own initiative. This may lead to a worsening of the patient's condition.
Compound
Medical vaseline oil is a highly purified product that does not contain harmful organic impurities and compounds. It is obtained as a result of purification of petroleum products, or more precisely, distillation of kerosene. The oil is colorless and odorless.
It has been noted that petroleum jelly has no analogues in composition and structure. Its components are:
- microcrystalline wax;
- liquid paraffin;
- mineral oil.
This hygiene product is great for baby's delicate skin. It has the following qualities.
- It belongs to hypoallergenic cosmetic products, as it does not contain fragrances, dyes, parabens, preservatives, or flavors.
- Does not accumulate and is easily removed from the body. At the same time, the use of oil does not affect the functioning of internal organs, which is safe for a newborn.
- Well moisturizes the lipid layer of the skin, preventing fluid loss and the appearance of signs of dryness.
- Liquid paraffin, which is part of the oil, has a bacterial and anti-inflammatory effect.
- The oil gently softens the skin, protecting it from chafing from diapers.
Pharmacological properties
According to numerous reviews, Vaseline oil is an excellent remedy for constipation. Liquid paraffin is not absorbed into the blood and does not interact with gastric juice. Once in the intestines, the product envelops its walls. This greatly facilitates the movement of accumulated feces. In addition, petroleum jelly helps soften them. There is evidence that liquid paraffin normalizes intestinal motility. This is very important, because after a course of treatment with this drug, patients forget about their delicate problem for a long time.
During the process of defecation, people suffering from constipation often develop painful cracks in the anus. This is not only very unpleasant, but also dangerous, as infection can get into the wounds. Using Vaseline oil for constipation helps avoid pain during bowel movements. In addition, the bactericidal properties of the drug promote the healing of cracks.
Side effects and their photos
Frequent use of Vaseline oil is undesirable. It is recommended to use no more than 3 times a day. If the medication is used incorrectly, side effects may occur:
- allergies in infants;
- Exceeding the dose may lead to clogging of the skin.
This is what an allergy to vaseline oil looks like in a photo in a baby:
How to drink Vaseline oil for constipation
The drug should be taken orally 2 hours after a meal. Some doctors recommend drinking it in the morning on an empty stomach. The laxative effect is expected after 6 hours. However, in some patients it occurs within a day. It is not forbidden to drink Vaseline oil during the day, 2-3 hours before meals. However, it is not recommended to take the drug before or after dinner, since attempts to perform an act of defecation may occur in the middle of the night.
Optimal doses:
- children under 2 years old – half a teaspoon;
- preschoolers from 2 to 7 years old – 1 tsp;
- children from 7 to 13 years old – 1.5 tsp;
- adolescents aged 14 years and older – 2 tsp. or 1 dining room;
- adults – 1-2 tbsp. l.
Take the drug 1 or 2 times a day. The course of treatment is 5 days.
Vaseline oil in the nose
In preparation for the birth of a child, I dug through a bunch of articles on the Internet. I made shopping lists. And now I’m ready to tell you what was useful and what wasn’t.
I'll start with the FIRST KIT. I will highlight what was actually useful.
1. Hydrogen peroxide 3% with a pipette
+ in the form of a felt-tip pen.
The felt-tip pen remained unclaimed. The navel was treated with peroxide.
2. Potassium permangantsovka
. Never opened it. The child was not bathed in the solution because it dries out the child’s skin very much. Perhaps if the belly button had not fallen off in the maternity hospital, they had taken advantage of it. Therefore, just in case of emergency, buy one.
3. Fukortsin pencil
. Needed to treat skin problems. It’s not a fact that you will have them, so don’t rush. If you need it, buy it after the fact.
4. Zelenka
with a brush
.
Buy some greenery. With a brush - no need. I wanted it to be comfortable and not get my hands dirty. But in reality, these brushes turned out to be absolutely useless - they dripped so much that I completely filled the child’s belly button. In general, ordinary brilliant green is the best thing to dose yourself. 5. Iodine
with a brush
. I only used this brush to paint walls and floors. I tried to paint an iodine mesh at the site of a vaccination injection - I flooded the child’s legs full of it. Therefore, I used ordinary iodine.
6. Vata
. It was useful to make flagella for cleaning the nose when even a cotton swab couldn’t fit into the nose. And these flagella are safer at first.
7. Cotton buds
. Will be needed in the kit for brilliant green and iodine.
8. Cotton swabs with limiters
. We still use it to clean ears.
9. Bactericidal patch.
Haven't used it once in 10 months. Although one thing will not be superfluous in the first aid kit.
10. Sterile bandage.
Lying idle. Although, again, you probably need a small one.
11. Thermometer.
This is a different story. Only a mercury gauge will show the exact temperature. Everyone else is lying. BUT! Electronic or infrared are convenient to know whether there is or is not a temperature. We have infrared. Convenient: click and temperature on the screen. If in doubt, I measure it with mercury. Up to 3-4 months, while babies are inactive, you can safely measure with mercury.
12. Pipette with blunt tip in case
. Definitely needed. Someone releases gas with them (I consider this torture), we dripped saline solution with aloe into the nose when there was snot.
13. Smallest size rubber bulb
. We used it once for an enema.
What we weren't prepared for:
14. They didn’t know that they needed an ASPIRator!
And it is better to buy it in advance. And snot sooner or later catches up with everyone. I recommend the Japanese PIGEON - it has a soft tip that cannot damage the nose. Otrivin is not bad.
15. Vaseline oil
. A must-have for caring for girls. We treat the intimate area.
16. Cotton pads.
Complete with Vaseline oil.
17. Nowadays you always have oil in your medicine cabinet during the cold season “BREATHE”
. I really like it. I recommend it. The smell is a little similar to the Soviet star, but it makes breathing easier, and the mixture of oils included in the composition has an anti-cold effect. Droplets are even allowed to be applied to infants’ clothes. A friend was skeptical about my aromatic “chiza.” But when her daughter came down with bronchitis at 8 months old, she took it into account.
18. Antipyretic
. Nurofen/cephieon, etc. Nurofen in syrup with flavoring - that’s what I don’t like about it. But it is suitable for children of any age up to one year. We have Tsefekon, because it is in candles. Of the minuses: there is a dosage of 1-3 months, there is from 3 months to a year. In the first 3 months, taking into account frequent medical exemptions from vaccinations, you may not need to. Therefore, I advise you to buy just if necessary.
19. Antihistamine
. That is, against allergic reactions. Doctors usually recommend Suprastin or Fenistil. Each has pros and cons. Fenistil is in drops, which is convenient for babies, but has a cumulative effect. That is, for example, in the case of vaccination, it is better to take it several days before. Suprastin tablets. Children are usually prescribed a quarter. Giving is inconvenient, but the effect is “here and now.” It is better to stock up on antihistamines in advance: with breastfeeding, reactions to what the mother has eaten are possible, and with artificial feeding, reactions to the mixture. When vaccinated as a prevention of reactions, they are required.
20. Alcohol wipes.
I recognize it as a must-have: at the clinic I treat my child’s wounds after vaccinations and blood draws.
This is my list, as they say, “from experience.”
Contraindications
We looked at how to take Vaseline oil for constipation. This treatment method is effective and very simple, but it is not suitable for everyone. Therefore, before using it, you should definitely consult a doctor. A specialist should find out the cause of constipation. In some cases, completely different treatment is required. Vaseline oil should not be taken orally for the following conditions and diseases:
- pregnancy;
- intestinal obstruction;
- hypersensitivity to liquid paraffin;
- febrile syndrome;
- inflammatory processes in the peritoneum.
Contraindications for use in childhood
The remedy can be used for difficulties with defecation in children for emergency assistance, as it is safer in comparison with laxatives. But not everyone can take the oil; there are some contraindications. Do not give your baby a laxative if:
- There is increased sensitivity to the drug.
- There are ulcerative lesions in the intestines.
- Diseases in the abdominal cavity of an infectious nature were diagnosed.
- The child has a high body temperature.
- There is intestinal obstruction.
Even in the absence of the listed contraindications, giving Vaseline oil to children under three years of age is strictly prohibited. First you need to find out why your baby is constipated, and only then take action.
Benefits of an enema
For constipation, Vaseline oil is recommended to be used not only orally. Many doctors prescribe enemas with this drug. This treatment method is used if the patient is unable to have a bowel movement for several days in a row. In this case, stool hardens and accumulates in the rectum. Taking the oil internally may not produce results.
It is also important to know that if such a problem occurs, it is forbidden to take laxatives that activate intestinal motility. Often after this, people begin to feel the urge to defecate, but cannot complete it. Hardened feces that remain in the intestines for a long time literally stick to its walls. This happens because the secretion of mucous glands decreases. In addition, if feces are not softened, they can injure the intestinal mucous membranes during the process of excretion.
How to do an enema
Using Vaseline oil for constipation as an enema is very effective. This procedure is somewhat unpleasant, but adults tolerate it easily. You need to take no more than 2-3 tbsp. spoons of oil, heat it in a water bath (in winter you can use a radiator) to a temperature of 38 °C and stir with warm water. The total enema volume for adults should not exceed 200 ml. The minimum dose is 50 ml.
The trestle bed is covered with oilcloth. The patient should lie on his side, bend his knees and press them to his stomach. The assistant must lubricate the tip of the enema with a thick cream (you can use Vaseline), insert it into the patient’s anus and squeeze out the contents of the rubber bulb.
It is recommended to carry out the procedure at night so that the person can remain in a supine position for several hours.
Tips for selection and storage
To avoid negative consequences, you should buy a quality product. Exclusively in pharmacies. The drug is inexpensive, the estimated price is 40 rubles per bottle. Vaseline oil is available in containers of 100, 50, 40, 25 ml.
Before purchasing, be sure to check the expiration date of the medicine and the integrity of the packaging. It must not be damaged. It also doesn't hurt to check the bottle and cap. The drug can be stored at a temperature of +25°C for no more than 5 years. Be sure to keep away from children and not expose to direct sunlight. Once opened, the bottle should be stored in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
Vaseline oil has mostly positive reviews. A high-quality product will not cause harm, but will benefit children and adults. However, not all parents believe in its effectiveness, because it costs pennies, and they prefer more expensive means. Whether or not to use oil on a child’s skin is a personal decision for each parent. It is worth remembering that all children are individual, and what may be ideal for one, will only harm another.
Treatment of constipation in young children
Vaseline oil is a drug that contains only natural substances. Therefore, pediatricians recommend having it in the house where there is a baby. You can use the product externally without fear. It is used to lubricate not only the folds of the baby, but also the face if you and your child are forced to go outside in unfavorable weather conditions. Using oil, clean the baby's nose, providing him with free breathing.
In infants, gas often accumulates in the tummy. The child begins to scream, refuses to eat, and kicks his legs. A gas tube that must be carefully inserted into the baby's anus can help. Its tip should be lubricated with Vaseline oil.
If your child has stool retention, he needs to be shown to a doctor. Only a doctor should prescribe treatment. If there are no contraindications, your baby can be given an enema with Vaseline oil. A child under 2 months of age is allowed to administer up to 30 ml of liquid. Take no more than 1 teaspoon of Vaseline oil. During the procedure, you need to take into account that the drug may leak out and stain the diapers.
Vaseline oil can also be used orally for newborns for constipation. Indications and contraindications are the same as for adults. The only difference is in the dosage. It is allowed to give the baby half a teaspoon to drink between feedings, twice a day.
How to clean a newborn's nose with a blower?
Unlike aspirators, the tip of the bulb is thinner than the nozzle and will have less tight contact with the inner surface of the baby's nose. The material from which the pear is made is more rigid. You should not insert the bulb deeply into the nasal passage - you can injure the mucous membrane and hurt the child. For more intimate contact with the tip of the bulb, lightly press on the outer surface of the nose. Sequence of actions: squeeze the bulb tightly, insert the tip carefully and shallowly into the nasal passage, lightly press the nostril for tighter contact and sharply release the pressure on the bulb. Don’t forget to clean the pear of mucus.
Any procedures for caring for a baby require attention and caution. Cleaning your nose for the first time is scary, inconvenient, and time-consuming. But very soon this process will take very little time!
What to do if dry crusts have formed in the child’s nose? No aspirator will help in this case. To solve this problem, you need pharmaceutical sea water, cotton swabs and petroleum jelly.
special instructions
Liquid paraffin can be mixed with water (for example, for enemas). It can be used together with other oils and fats. However, it is strictly forbidden to take it simultaneously with castor oil to obtain a greater effect in the treatment of constipation. Vaseline oil and castor oil are two completely incompatible drugs.
You cannot take liquid paraffin orally at the same time as the medications Vermox, Avermol, Natamol and Medamin.
If the body is intoxicated with organophosphorus compounds and phosphorus, oral administration of petroleum jelly is also prohibited.
Analogs
There are no drugs that have exactly the same properties as Vaseline oil. But there are a lot of medications to get rid of constipation. Enemas can be done with sunflower or flaxseed oil. Glycelax suppositories, glycerin suppositories (suitable for treating children), and Microlax microenemas are also recommended.
There are several dozen laxatives recommended for oral administration. Most popular:
- Duphalac (can be used for children).
- "Forlax" (the drug is allowed to be given to babies from 6 months).
- "Pikolaks."
- "Lactuvit."
- "Pikosen."
- "Normolakt".
- Castor oil.
Finally, here are reviews on the use of petroleum jelly for constipation.
What people say
This drug is deservedly popular. Parents of infants admire its versatility. They use Vaseline oil for their children both externally and internally. With its help, they relieve skin irritation in babies, clean their noses, and cleanse the scalp of crusts.
Vaseline oil is often used to relieve constipation in children. Taking the drug orally does not cause any complications. This is due to the very small dose and the absence of a bitter taste in the oil. When babies are given an enema, liquid paraffin can stain the diaper, but for many parents this is not critical. The main thing is that the drug helps.
Adults also quite often take Vaseline oil for constipation. In the reviews, they note that the drug has virtually no odor, but it still has a specific taste. However, they quickly get used to it. In addition, Vaseline oil can be washed down with water. Therefore, taking it orally does not cause problems. However, it must be remembered that liquid paraffin is not adsorbed into the bloodstream and is completely eliminated through the anus. As a result, your underwear may become dirty. Patients in the reviews note that this minor inconvenience can be overcome. Vaseline oil has many more advantages.