All about Vishnevsky Ointment: what it helps with and how to use it

Balsamic liniment (also known as Vishnevsky's ointment or liniment) is widely used in medical practice for various diseases.

The high effectiveness and safety of the drug made it especially popular. It is often used without medical prescriptions, self-prescribed for suppuration and various purulent ulcers and wounds that need to be cleansed of necrotic contents, making it impossible for them to heal.

The drug was created by Russian surgeon A.V. Vishnevsky in 1927. An effective medicine does not lose its popularity today, despite the abundance of antibiotics. Having a minimum of contraindications, the ointment can be used for most injuries and many diseases in children and adults. The product is now found in most home medicine cabinets in Russia and the CIS countries.

Composition and medicinal properties of the ointment

Balsamic liniment has birch tar as its main active ingredient.

Vishnevsky's ointment contains only 3 components, each of which enhances the effect of each other.

1. Purified birch tar. This component is natural. It is obtained from birch bark. Tar looks like a thick, dark, viscous liquid. This is the strongest natural antiseptic that is effective against most pathogenic bacteria that can cause inflammation in humans. Additionally, the component actively enhances blood circulation at the site of application and increases the ability of tissues to regenerate. The property of tar to eliminate pain, burning and itching is also valuable. Its use is also possible on wet wounds, since the substance helps dry them. For burns, wounds, bruises and wen, tar has been used for a long time.
2. Castor oil (a number of manufacturers replace it with fish oil, but this is not a desirable option). The component in the ointment enhances its ability to quickly penetrate tissue. Additionally, the substance in combination with tar also acts as a strong sedative for the affected skin, relieving pain and itching.
3. Xeroform. Promotes drying of the wound surface and enhances the antiseptic effect of the drug.

The ratio of active ingredients in the drug is as follows:

• 94% castor oil,
• 3% tar,
• 3% xeroform.

The smell of the ointment is specific and very pungent, which is provided mainly by tar. Even under a bandage, it is clearly noticeable to others. The color of the drug, depending on the manufacturer, is brown or dark dirty yellow.

The drug is produced in the form of liniment, which is thinner than ointment and penetrates tissue more easily.

The main medicinal properties of Vishnevsky’s ointment (liniment) are as follows:

• local immunomodulatory;
• pulling (cleansing);
• antiseptic;
• bactericidal;
• healing;
• pain reliever;
• antipruritic.

In some cases, it is recommended to mix the medicine with Shostakovsky balm (vinilin). The drugs enhance each other’s actions and have an even more active effect on the body.

The ability of the drug to stimulate the regeneration of the skin and deeper tissues allows it to be used to treat third-degree burns, which in this case, after healing, do not leave strong scars, which is of great importance for tissue damage in open areas of the body.

In addition to skin lesions and injuries, the ointment is also used for internal inflammation of the genitourinary system and mammary glands.

The drug is prescribed in the following areas of medicine:

• gynecology;
• dermatology;
• traumatology;
• surgery;
• urology;
• proctology;
• dermatology;
• cosmetology.

The product is available over-the-counter because it is not an antibiotic or hormonal drug.

How to use Vishnevsky ointment correctly?

Vishnevsky ointment is actively used to treat purulent abscesses, due to which they resolve and heal faster. Thus, the inflammatory process, which could last for a week or 10 days, is reduced on average to a day.

The boil ripens, the skin covering it bursts and purulent contents come out. Thanks to the ointment, no further suppuration occurs, and the wound heals without scar formation.

When should you use Vishnevsky ointment:

• Acne;
• Inflammation of the gynecological area;
• Gangrene, thrombophlebitis, varicose veins, trophic ulcers, endarteritis;
• Frostbite, burns;
• Bedsores;
• Psoriasis;
• Dropsy, swelling.

Application of ointment

Balsamic liniment has numerous indications for use. Vishnevsky ointment must be used correctly for various diseases in order to get the highest possible results.

The main indications for the use of balsamic liniment ointment according to Vishnevsky are as follows:

• abscesses of various nature;
• trophic ulcers of diabetic nature;
• ulcers due to varicose veins;
• bedsores;
• thermal burns;
• severe chemical burns;
• frostbite;
• inflammatory lesions of the lymph nodes;
• carbuncles;
• boils;
• boil;
• extensive abrasions;
• infected purulent wounds;
• psoriasis;
• thrombophlebitis of varying degrees;
• obliterating arterial endarteritis;
• acne;
• weeping wounds on the skin;
• haemorrhoids;
• soft tissue phlegmon;
• empylem complicated by sepsis;
• osteomyelitis – purulent inflammation of the bones;
• postpartum ulcers.

These are only the main indications for treatment with Vishnevsky ointment. In addition to these, doctors recommend the drug for many other disorders.

Use during pregnancy and lactation

It is also possible to use Vishnevsky Ointment during pregnancy, but, of course, according to indications and on the recommendation of a doctor. Considering that this drug is for external use only, and there is no data on the penetration of the drug components into the bloodstream.

Appropriate studies of this drug in pregnant women have not been conducted. Our recommendation is not to use this drug in the first trimester of pregnancy, including due to possible toxicosis. In general, protect yourself from the need to take any medications other than essential ones during pregnancy.

The same applies to the lactation period. If it is necessary to use the drug during lactation, according to the instructions for medical use, breastfeeding should be stopped for a while.

Use in children

It is also permissible to use Vishnevsky Ointment to treat children, but only under the supervision of adults and on the recommendation of a doctor. This is what the instructions say, although the specific age is not indicated there.

We recommend that if there is a need to use this product, you should start using it no earlier than 10-12 years of age, unless your doctor prescribes otherwise in your particular case. As a rule, children do not have such a need due to increased tissue regeneration and good immunity. Necessity here means skin damage accompanied by purulent discharge due to contamination of the wound, and not teenage acne, especially on the face.

Some mothers ask whether Vishnevsky ointment can be used for a child under one year old? Questions like these confuse me.

Firstly , everything that concerns small children, especially under one year old, especially newborns - immediately, immediately, the first thing you need to do is consult a doctor!

Secondly , what has to happen to a child under one year old to require such treatment?!

Vishnevsky ointment is a sharp-smelling substance, such children under one year old, even I would say up to 8-10 years old, are not prescribed, in addition, in the composition of xeroforms, which should not be applied to children, especially small ones, due to the high resorptiveness (permeability, absorption) of the skin children.

Therefore, dear mothers, if you are reading this, monitor your child properly and, of course, first of all, think with your own head.

Instructions for use of Vishnevsky ointment (Method and dosage)

The use of Vishnevsky ointment is carried out externally - in the form of bandages, tampons, compresses. The instructions for Vishnevsky's ointment are as follows: balsamic liniment is applied two to three times a day to the affected area in a thin layer.

Application for boils and other skin lesions also involves making and applying a gauze bandage from 5-6 layers of gauze, which is pre-impregnated with the product. The bandage is fixed. It is also possible to apply the drug to the wound using a napkin soaked in the product. It must be applied so that the ointment completely loosely fills the wound. Dressings should be carried out until the wound is clean. Vishnevsky's ointment for acne is used by applying bandages or a patch with ointment to the place where the rash appears. If you need to use a remedy for subcutaneous acne, you need to apply a thin layer of it to the place where the pimple forms under the skin. There is a pronounced positive effect when using an acne remedy. Reviews indicate that with proper use of the product, acne also decreases. The drug for boils is used in a similar way.

Treatment of boils with Vishnevsky ointment should be carried out until they disappear completely. Vishnevsky ointment in gynecology is used to treat inflammatory processes of the pelvic organs. The use of Vishnevsky ointment in gynecology is carried out by using tampons soaked in the product. Tampons with ointment are inserted into the vagina. But such a procedure can only be carried out on the recommendation of a doctor and you must strictly follow his instructions. It is the specialist who gives clear instructions on how to make tampons with Vishnevsky ointment. In gynecology, tampons are used, each of which is impregnated with no more than 15 g of product. The course of treatment lasts at least a week. Vishnevsky ointment for hemorrhoids is applied externally. Hemorrhoid ointment is applied to a strip of gauze folded in several layers and applied to the place where the hemorrhoids are localized.

This compress should be changed once every 12 hours. When the inflammatory process gradually decreases, treatment of hemorrhoids with ointment continues for several more days, but compresses need to be done at night. Reviews for hemorrhoids about this treatment are usually positive. However, before starting to use Vishnevsky ointment, you should definitely consult with a specialist and act according to his recommendations. If there are no positive results of treatment or if the situation worsens, you should immediately consult a doctor.

For hemorrhoids

The drug is used for the treatment of hemorrhoids as an adjunct to complement the main therapy. The ointment is used in postoperative therapy (after removal of hemorrhoids) and for the treatment of external hemorrhoids.

How Vishnevsky ointment helps with hemorrhoids:

• Reduces swelling;
• Stimulates blood circulation;
• Reduces pain;
• Helps heal wounds.
• Relieves inflammation;
• Stimulates the discharge of pus;
• Starts the process of regeneration and growth of the epithelium.

In the initial stages of the disease, the ointment helps to inhibit the inflammatory process and also helps the resorption of lumps.

Important! If treatment is started in time, with the help of ointment you can avoid surgery and get rid of hemorrhoids completely.

When treating hemorrhoids, the ointment is applied to the affected area in the form of a compress. How to apply a compress correctly:

1. Rinse the inflamed area with a weak solution of potassium permanganate first.
2. Dry the treatment area with a napkin.
3. Apply the compress for at least 2-3 hours, after which be sure to change the bandage.
4. The bandage should be changed at least three times during the day.

This method will help relieve inflammation and pain within a day after the start of treatment. For cracks in the rectum or anus, you can form tampons with ointment, which are placed in the anus overnight.

For sinusitis

Treatment with Vishnevsky ointment for sinusitis is carried out when the disease is in the initial stage, i.e. the process is not running. Cotton pads with ointment applied to them are placed in the nostril for 15-20 minutes in order to suppress bacteria and promote the drainage of pus.

A mixture of aloe juice, Kalanchoe, cyclamen root and Vishnevsky ointment draws out pus better. All these ingredients are mixed in equal proportions and applied to cotton swabs, which are placed in the nostrils for half an hour. Such procedures should be carried out at least three times a day for about 20 days, until the problem is completely eliminated.

For acne

Vishnevsky's ointment for acne is very effective - thanks to castor oil, the drug penetrates deeply into the skin, dries and disinfects the skin, relieves redness, swelling and inflammation.

The drug is used for acne of various etiologies, for extensive rashes and single pimples.

If acne affects a large surface of the skin, compresses are used: gauze or bandage is folded in several layers, a layer of ointment is applied to them and applied to the affected area. The compress is covered with a cotton cloth on top and secured with adhesive tape. The compress is left overnight, and after removing it, the surface of the skin is treated with salicylic alcohol to remove the unpleasant odor and wash away bacteria.

Note! If a pimple does not mature for a long time and does not break out, it should never be squeezed out. If necessary, you can carefully pierce it with a needle and apply ointment on top again.

For single pimples, the ointment is applied using an ear stick to each pimple individually. Pre-pimples are spot-treated with iodine. The treated area is not covered with a band-aid, and the ointment can be reapplied every two hours.

Vishnevsky ointment during pregnancy

During pregnancy, Vishnevsky ointment is approved for use for the treatment of the following diseases:

• Varicose veins of the lower extremities (reducing pain, reducing the degree of protrusion of veins);
• Haemorrhoids;
• Edema of the lower extremities;
• Inflammations of a gynecological nature (you must first consult a specialist).

Before applying the ointment to the skin, it is necessary to treat it with an antiseptic composition. For this purpose, it is good to use alcohol solutions.

Analogs

Having once encountered Vishnevsky's ointment in the past, one cannot forget this pungent smell of tar. We will present several popular remedies that are often cited as analogues of Vishnevsky ointment in terms of action or expected effect.

Without smell

This product has analogues without an unpleasant odor, among which are:

• The drug Dimexide;
• Levomekol ointment;
• Hypertonic sea salt solution.

So, if you are faced with the impossibility of using the product due to a pungent odor, then be sure to pay attention to these analogues.

Dimexide

This product is a concentrated solution of Dimethyl sulfoxide. Unlike Vishnevsky ointment, it has a barely perceptible odor.

This product is available in the form of a solution with a concentration of 99%; there is also a dosage form of Diemeskid gel with a concentration of the active substance Dimethyl sulfoxide - 25%.

Most often, in this concentration -25%, liquid Dimexide is used in compresses to treat joint pain along with other components.

Dimexide has the following positive properties:

• Analgesic (This is directly related to the effect on pain, nociceptive, peripheral neurons.);
• Anti-inflammatory (By reducing the inflammatory effect of histamine and prostaglandins - substances responsible for the development of inflammation. In addition, reducing inflammation in the lesion helps reduce pain - this is how an indirect analgesic effect is manifested.);
• Improving microcirculation at the site of inflammation;
• It has a moderate antiseptic effect (But it is not used independently as an antiseptic due to the fact that at high concentrations it can cause a chemical burn.)
• Improves the penetration of other medicinal substances into tissues.

Actually, we have come to his main role. Dimexide is used together in the form of compresses or lotions:

• With anti-inflammatory drugs to treat joint pain;
• With heparin for the treatment of thrombophlebitis;
• With antibiotics for the treatment of boils, acne, purulent inflammation.

That is, this product has antagonism with birch tar, which is the main active ingredient of Vishnevsky’s liniment. If Vishnevsky promotes the fact that all the discharge from the wound strives to come out, then Dimexide, on the contrary, promotes the penetration of drugs into the purulent focus.

Regarding the replacement of these two remedies, you should consult your doctor regarding your specific situation. The use of a combination of Dimexide with antibiotics is advisable if a person is intolerant to the smell of birch tar. Dimexide also contributes to the slower development of bacterial resistance to the antibiotics with which it is used.

To treat pimples and acne, you can read the recipe for mash with Dimexide in this article.

Salt compresses

Salt compresses made from sea salt also have a strong osmotic effect. And although this is a whole procedure, and not a drug, we decided to classify it as an analogue of Vishnevsky ointment, namely in terms of osmotic and anti-inflammatory effects.

The saline solution is prepared in a concentration of no more than 10%; such a solution is hypertonic - that is, its concentration is higher than the salt content in the blood plasma. A solution with the same salt content as in blood plasma is called isotonic.

Salt compresses

In an isotonic solution, the concentration is 0.9%, that is, the solution contains 9 grams of salt per 1 liter of water. To get a hypertonic solution with a concentration of 10%, you need to take 100 grams of salt per 1 liter of water or 10 grams of salt per 100 milliliters of water (this is about 1 level tablespoon of salt and about half a glass or medium-sized mug of water). If in doubt, add a little less salt or a little more water.

The resulting solution should be soaked in a piece of cloth or gauze folded in 4-6 layers, then the cloth should be applied to the damaged area and a plastic film should be placed on top, which can be secured with a plaster or bandage.

For purulent inflammation of the skin, such compresses should be made for several days, 2-3 times a day and kept on the damaged area for 30 minutes - 1 hour.

Under no circumstances should such a compress be applied to burns or open wounds! Only on intact skin.

The price of sea salt in pharmacies is from 30 to 100 rubles per 500 grams.

All the pros and cons

Studying the annotation for liniment, one can only wonder how just three natural components included in its composition can produce such an amazing pharmacological effect. It is believed that the drug is able to cope with almost any skin problem, and this versatility is easily explained by the natural properties of its ingredients.

The register of positive properties provided by the ointment includes 7 main points:

1. Stops inflammatory processes.
2. Disinfects affected areas.
3. Stimulates skin receptors.
4. Triggers cell regeneration.
5. Acts as an antiseptic.
6. Dries out the skin.
7. Relieves swelling of external tissues.

Among the advantages, it is also worth noting the low price, availability at any pharmacy without a prescription, and long shelf life. Although Vishnevsky's ointment belongs to the old generation of drugs, attending physicians in medical institutions willingly prescribe it as a safe disinfectant and restorative external agent.

A minor disadvantage is that with prolonged use, liniment can cause dry skin, itching, peeling, and rashes. In addition, the tar included in the composition develops sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation, therefore, during the course of treatment, prolonged exposure to the sun should be avoided. The main disadvantage of the ointment was and remains its strong unpleasant odor, which in rare cases of individual intolerance can cause allergic reactions.

Side effects

Among the side effects of Vishnevsky ointment are:

• Allergic reactions to one or more components of the drug;
• Skin irritation, both with single and long-term use (all individually);
• They write on the Internet that dryness is possible after use, this is not true. The composition contains castor oil, which moisturizes and softens the skin, in addition, the components of the product increase blood flow in the tissues, so this is less about dryness, and more about an allergy to Vishnevsky ointment, or rather, to any of the components.

If the drug does cause a burning sensation, this is due to intolerance to the components of the drug and skin irritation. Burning is also possible when applied to atopic skin, areas of rosacea and eczema, which, of course, should not be done for these diseases.

It happens that a problem arises that after using this product a pimple appears. This is directly related to the incorrect use of this drug. After all, this remedy is a priori one of the best remedies for treating ulcers. After reading this article in full, you will understand what you should and shouldn’t do to ensure that Vishnevsky’s ointment only has a positive effect!

Contraindications

The balsamic remedy has no special contraindications, however, there are several points that should be taken into account. Firstly, it is not used when the area of ​​skin damage is very large. Secondly, it will not give the desired effect for proctitis, atheroma, lipoma. In addition, the ointment is not prescribed if the patient has problems with the kidneys.

Doctors recommend using Vishnevsky balm with caution for pregnant and lactating women. Although the drug is considered completely safe, during pregnancy and after childbirth serious changes occur in the female body, which can cause allergic reactions to the composition of the drug.

What do the doctor's say

In modern medical circles there is no consensus on the effectiveness of the legendary ointment. Some experts believe that it was good for its time, but against the backdrop of recent advances in the field of pharmaceuticals it looks very poor. There are those who openly doubt the existence of a “miracle cure” for any ailment. Their slogan goes something like this: “For every disease there is a cure.” From the point of view of evidence-based medicine, which emerged at the end of the 20th century, liniment is classified as a drug with officially unconfirmed effectiveness, and, therefore, is recognized as an outdated dosage form.

However, even among attending physicians you can find many fans of Vishnevsky ointment. Having solid medical experience behind them and a lot of examples from patient histories, they still prescribe balsamic liniment as an effective time-tested antiseptic. The natural composition of the drug, transparent pharmacology and the absence of contraindications are the most powerful arguments in favor of the ointment.

What is the difference between Vishnevsky ointment and Levomekol ointment?

Levomekol ointment contains the immunostimulant Methyluracil and the antibiotic Levomycetin. The ointment is prescribed for the treatment of trophic ulcers, burns and purulent wounds, as well as other dermatological diseases of an infectious nature.

Levomekol has a more pronounced effect than Vishnevsky ointment. Another advantage of Levomekol ointment is that it does not have such a pronounced unpleasant odor.

The doctor must determine which ointment to use to treat a specific disease, based on the severity of the skin infection and the general condition of the patient. If a quick effect is needed, then Levomekol with an antibacterial component should be prescribed. With slight suppuration, preference should be given to Vishnevsky ointment.

The antibiotic included in the ointment Levomekol is able to penetrate the blood and have a systemic effect on the body. Therefore, this drug is not recommended for use by women carrying a child.

Vishnevsky ointment is an inexpensive and effective remedy for the rapid treatment of boils and purulent abscesses. To minimize the risk of growth of anaerobic bacteria, it is necessary to thoroughly clean the surface of the skin before applying the ointment.

Reviews

Irina, 31 years old:

From time to time, single pimples appear on the body. Since adolescence, my grandmother advised me to apply Vishnevsky ointment. I did this with an adhesive plaster. In each case, it was possible to quickly get rid of the inflamed spots. When studying the instructions, I was pleasantly surprised by the wide spectrum of action of the composition, which the drug and the simple method of use help with.

At the moment, to solve such problems I use liniment and Levomekol ointment. The effectiveness and pricing policy of both drugs are the main advantages of the drugs.

Sergey, 40 years old:

A couple of years ago I had to see a doctor with an abscess in the armpit. On the advice of a specialist, I applied compresses from Vishnevsky’s ointment to the causative area for 3 days. On the fourth day, the abscess opened. Thanks to an affordable and effective drug, I experienced great relief. The only drawback of the product is the smell of the composition, but this is not a priority in treatment.

Maria, 27 years old:

A few months ago I was in a gynecology hospital with severe inflammation. After discharge, the doctor advised to use tampons with Vishnevsky ointment for 5 days to consolidate the effect. This remedy was part of a comprehensive treatment in the hospital, but only at home I felt an incredibly unpleasant aroma. I made an appointment with the doctor to replace the drug with some analogue. At the appointment, the specialist spoke briefly about the healing qualities of the ointment, after which I changed my mind about liniment. This unique composition, which has not lost its popularity among a large number of new products, really saves people's lives.

Levomekol in the treatment of acne

"Levomekol" has an antibacterial and wound-healing effect, therefore it is widely used in dermatology, in particular, in the treatment of acne. The course of treatment depends on the severity of the disease and the number of skin rashes.

Small pimples are treated by applying a thin layer of ointment to the affected area. This is done in the evening for several hours, and before bedtime Levomekol is washed off. Within two weeks, pimples disappear, facial skin becomes even, and small scars heal.

Treating acne with ointment

Levomekol is applied to isolated inflamed pimples in a thin layer, covered with a small piece of cotton wool and left for 2-3 hours. Therapy lasts 2-3 days.

As for opened pimples, the medicine is placed directly into the resulting holes.

To treat acne, Levomekol is applied to the affected area overnight. In the morning, the ointment must be washed off. Typically, the course of treatment takes 2 weeks, during which the inflammation subsides and the acne breaks out or resolves.

To eliminate subcutaneous acne, you need to do the following:

• after washing with soap, the skin is cleansed with any tonic or lotion;
• Apply the ointment in a thin layer on a sterile napkin and apply it to the area of ​​skin with acne;
• the bandage is fixed with adhesive tape.

The duration of the treatment procedure is 3-5 hours. If deep, painful ulcers appear on the skin, keep the bandage on the body all night.

The duration of therapy is about 7-10 days, depending on the degree of damage to the dermis.

Analogues of Vishnevsky ointment

Since Vishnevsky’s ointment has been around for more than a century, it is quite natural that many analogues of this drug have appeared on the pharmacological market. Moreover, they are more effective, do not have such a pronounced unpleasant odor and allow oxygen to penetrate to the wound surface.

Among these ointments:

• Levomekol ointment, which contains an antibiotic. It is used to treat purulent wounds, as a remedy that is much more effective compared to Vishnevsky ointment.
• Ichthyol ointment. The main active ingredient is Ichthyol, which is active against streptococci, staphylococci and yeast fungi. It is prescribed for erysipelas, streptoderma, burns and eczema. The ointment effectively relieves inflammation, anesthetizes the wound, helps draw out pus, but does not have a regenerating effect.

You can also use drugs such as:

• Acerbine based on benzoic and malic acid. The ointment effectively fights various microbes.
• Actovegin promotes rapid healing of wounds. Available in gel and cream form.
• Solcoseryl. Has a regenerating effect. Available in jelly and ointment form.
• Nitacid. Cream containing Streptocide and Nitazol.
• Happyderm is a cream based on Dexpanthenol and Chlorhexidine. Has an antiseptic and healing effect.
• Ebermin is a drug containing silver, which is a natural antiseptic.

In addition, there are drugs such as: Miramistin (solution), Panthenol (ointment and foam), Bepanten (ointment, cream, lotion), Rescuer cream. If we turn to traditional medicine, aloe leaves (pulp), tincture of propolis and calendula are used to disinfect wounds and heal them.

Indications for use

According to the manufacturers' instructions, Vishnevsky ointment has many indications, but some of them are inaccurate and contradictory.

For example, manufacturers recommend applying Vishnevsky's liniment to a wound, without explaining that this does not mean an open bleeding wound . Liniment can be applied to a wound that has already healed to speed up healing and prevent infection, but not to a fresh one.

It is also recommended to use it for eczema, which is not entirely advisable, and is often completely useless and can aggravate the course.

The ointment has a thick consistency, a brownish tint and a pronounced tar smell.

Now let's look at the actual indications for what the product is intended for:

• Treatment of trophic ulcers and bedsores (due to the antiseptic and healing effect);
• Treatment of burns (even 2nd and 3rd degrees) while maintaining the integrity of the skin and the formation of a scab
• Treatment of wounds and burns in the presence of a small amount of dead damaged tissue (necrotic masses);
• Treatment of shallow purulent inflammations with liquid contents;
• Treatment of shallow wounds of any nature without purulent contents, including those that are inflamed, for example, after scratching a cat.

When using Vishnevsky ointment on purulent lesions, the main condition under which it can be used is the presence of a path for the outflow of purulent contents of the wound.