Boric acid for children: instructions for application

For many years, boric acid has been used as a treatment for a variety of illnesses, including those in children. It is frequently found in pharmacies as ointments, solutions, and powders. Even though it works well for some conditions, it’s crucial to know how to use it correctly, particularly for young children.

When it comes to skin problems, ear infections, or eye care, parents frequently use boric acid. Nonetheless, the application needs to be done carefully and under the appropriate supervision because children’s skin and immune systems are more delicate. Unwanted side effects can result from misuse or overuse.

We’ll go over how to apply boric acid to children properly in this article. Ensuring safety and effectiveness requires adherence to the prescribed dosage and methodology.

Release form and composition

• Powder. It is packaged in bags and jars of 10 or 25 grams. Such a fine powder has no smell or taste. In addition to boric acid, there are no other ingredients in this form.
• Alcohol solution. The concentration of boric acid in this form is 3%, and the remaining volume is ethyl alcohol. The solution is sold in bottles with a capacity of 10 to 100 ml. It is a colorless transparent liquid that has an alcohol smell.

Effect on the body

The ability of boric acid to disinfect is well-known. This kind of substance has antifungal, antiparasitic, anti-pediculosis, and antibacterial properties. Only external treatments are employed for boric acid, a medication with a long half-life and good absorption.

Indications

The use of boric acid has become much more limited these days, which is linked to a fairly high frequency of adverse effects. Such a medication is primarily needed to treat dermatitis on the skin and ear disorders. Adults can use this medication to make a compress or to drip boric acid into the ear canal. This medication is also used to treat weeping eczema, pyoderma, and pediculosis.

Boric acid-containing eye drops are frequently used to treat conjunctivitis. For example, many of the drugs that ophthalmologists prescribe contain the combination "zinc sulfate + boric acid."

Contraindications

It is not advised to use boric acid:

• If this medicine is intolerant.
• For kidney disease.
• For perforation of the eardrum (the medicine cannot be dripped into the ear).
• For treating hairy skin.
• For treating damaged skin.

Can it be used in children

The use of such a medication for children is forbidden by the boric acid instructions. Until the user is fifteen years old, the drug should not be used. For babies under a year old, this remedy is strictly contraindicated due to its high risk for infants. But a lot of ENT physicians take a chance when they give boric acid to kids younger than fifteen. They use their personal medical experience to prescribe the medication at 2, 4, or any other age.

It is acceptable to treat children with boric acid if the physician recognizes indications for its use and accepts responsibility. On the other hand, using such an antiseptic when a child is underage is strictly discouraged, according to friends and family. Furthermore, an otolaryngologist will not treat otitis media solely with boric acid. Such a prescription will inevitably need to be taken in addition to other medications, like antibiotics.

How to drip into the ear

Boric acid should be taken at home according to the directions provided by the doctor if the child has been diagnosed with otitis media. Follow these suggestions as a guide:

• The drug is heated before use. To do this, it is best to lower the bottle with a solution in warm water. It should not be heated for long, to body temperature.
• If powder is used, it should be diluted with warm water to obtain the desired concentration.
• The child should be laid on his side so that the sore ear is located at the top.
• The ear canal is cleaned of dirt using a cotton swab with hydrogen peroxide.
• After instilling the number of drops prescribed by the doctor into the inflamed ear, you need to wait about 10 minutes, and then blot the ear canal with clean cotton wool to remove any remaining medication.
• If otitis is bilateral, the same procedure should be done for the other ear.
• The ear should be dripped twice a day for a week, unless the doctor has prescribed a different application scheme.

The reduction in pain and discomfort is usually noticeable after one or two procedures; however, in order to prevent the disease from reoccurring after some time, it is not advisable to stop instilling the drops earlier than the period prescribed by the ENT doctor.

In the video below, you can see how to drip a child’s ear more clearly.

Sometimes children’s minor infections can be treated with boric acid, but because of the possible health risks, it must be applied carefully. It’s crucial for parents to follow the recommended dosage guidelines and to see a doctor before using. The health of a child can be seriously jeopardized by improper use, so knowing when and how to apply boric acid safely is crucial.

Side effects

When boric acid is used, it can lead to:

• Severe nausea.
• Problems with kidney function.
• Migraine.
• Confusion.
• Vomiting.
• Convulsions.

Boric acid use can occasionally result in shock.

Overdose

Poisoning happens when a child inadvertently consumes boric acid or when an excessive dosage is used. It shows up as a rash, diarrhea, depression of the central nervous system, vomiting, and other symptoms. A child’s body can only metabolize 4-5 grams of this acid before death.

Chronic intoxication is the result of a long-term, modest overdose of boric acid. The patient has anemia, fatigue, and hair loss. At the site of use, eczema and swelling could manifest. Convulsions and somatitis are additional indicators of this kind of overdose.

Reviews

In recent years, physicians’ views on boric acid have undergone significant shifts. This medication is still prescribed by some specialists who observe that it is effective in treating otitis. However, boric acid has been largely abandoned by pediatricians in favor of more contemporary medications that carry a lower risk of side effects.

Mothers who applied boric acid topically to their child’s inflamed ear following an ENT doctor’s prescription report that the medication takes effect quickly. The child may feel heated and possibly even slightly burned after instillation, but this is normal. Parents’ reviews indicate that this medication relieves shooting pains and helps with otitis, but it’s crucial to take it exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

Storage features

It is best to store boric acid in a location where children cannot access it. It is recommended to store boric acid at room temperature. The boric acid solution has a three-year shelf life.

It’s important to adhere to the suggested guidelines when using boric acid on children, as it can be helpful in treating specific conditions. Parents should only use it under a doctor’s supervision because using it incorrectly can have negative effects.

Boric acid, when used properly, can treat skin conditions, ear problems, and eye infections. But it’s important to keep an eye out for any irritation or allergic reactions. Consult a physician and discontinue use right away if any strange symptoms develop.

Overall, even though boric acid has advantages, you should always put your child’s safety first and use it carefully, following doctor’s instructions.

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