Vaseline oil is a synthetic product obtained during petroleum refining. It is a colorless oily fraction that remains after the distillation of kerosene. Vaseline oil is characterized by a high degree of purification, and, in addition, it does not contain all kinds of impurities and additives that can be harmful to the human body, so it is considered an environmentally friendly product.
Active substance of the drug: liquid paraffin - a wax-like mixture of saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons (otherwise - saturated hydrocarbons or alkanes).
In medical practice, the oil is used as a laxative, helping to soften stool, stimulating the motility of the small intestine and facilitating the process of defecation.
The drug is available in the form of an oil intended for oral administration and external use.
Secrets of cosmetology
Vaseline oil is also called liquid paraffin. Liquid paraffin is included in many cosmetic products.
It is our application in such cases:
- Massage practice. Combines with other oils. If you use only Vaseline, your skin may dry out. Therefore, a combination of different oils is necessary.
- In winter, it is used to prevent frostbite. You can lubricate your lips and facial skin.
- Hair care. After washing your hair, apply little Vaseline to wet hair. Hair becomes smoother and straighter. Helps get rid of split ends. After some time, the head must be cleaned of the remaining oil. Vaseline oil is difficult to wash off, so you need to use soap.
- You can use it to de-make up your face.
- Used for eyelash and eyebrow growth. Now it has become fashionable to shave off eyebrows completely and draw them with a special pencil. But everyone does it. Some girls like “Brezhnev eyebrows.” By applying liquid paraffin you can achieve this effect.
- With its help you can soften rough calluses and corns.
Directions for use and dosage
In accordance with the instructions, Vaseline oil is dosed according to the following scheme:
- Half a teaspoon - for children under 3 years old;
- A teaspoon – for children from 3 to 7 years old;
- One and a half teaspoons - for children from 7 to 14 years old;
- Two teaspoons - for children over seven years of age and teenagers, as well as for the elderly;
- Two and a half teaspoons for adults.
The oil is taken between meals. The optimal intake is on an empty stomach: two hours after a meal or two hours before it. The laxative effect is usually observed after five to six hours.
For chronic constipation, Vaseline oil is taken on an empty stomach, 1-2 tablespoons once or twice a day.
The duration of the course of treatment should not exceed 5 days.
Advantages over other means
Vaseline oil has the following advantages when used in this case over other means:
- Greater efficiency of application.
- Low cost.
- Safety.
- Does not affect intestinal microflora.
- Not absorbed into the blood.
- Does not accumulate - is removed without a trace.
- Easy to use.
- During storage, it does not oxidize, does not leave sediment, and retains its properties and consistency.
- Long shelf life of a sealed bottle.
Side effects
Like any drug that is used orally, petroleum jelly has its limitations. You can’t resort to it all the time – there is a possibility of addiction. The intestines will stop working without “outside” help. This will cause disruption of the entire digestive tract.
In addition, oil does not allow fat-soluble vitamins to be absorbed, which increases the risk of developing vitamin deficiency.
If you come across a poorly cleaned product, then nothing bad will happen upon contact with the intestines, but its contact with the skin will cause severe irritation.
Contraindications
These include the following factors:
- hypersensitivity to the active substance;
- fever;
- intestinal obstruction of any form;
- inflammation in the abdominal cavity;
- bleeding in the intestines.
In case of pregnancy
In a delicate position, you should not drink Vaseline oil, this can cause uterine tone and cause a miscarriage. But external use is allowed.
Reviews
If the oil is used correctly and as intended, its healing effect will be obvious. Reviews from people who have tried the drug on themselves testify in its favor. This is a truly effective and safe method for solving a delicate intestinal problem . For those who have tried Vaseline oil once, its use seems justified.
Another advantage that patients note is accessibility. There are no problems with purchasing the drug, even for those who live in saving mode.
You can read all the reviews at the end of the material below.
Indications for use
As a means for oral administration, the oil is recommended for use in chronic constipation. As an external remedy, Vaseline oil is used to soften dry skin, and there are no age restrictions for the drug - it can be used from birth.
It is important to remember that the use of petroleum jelly for constipation should not be preventive, but one-time. Long-term use of the drug can provoke dysfunction of the digestive system.
Signs of constipation
Vaseline oil (use for constipation should be started promptly) is used at the first sign of constipation.
Signs in adults:
- delay in bowel movement for more than 48 hours;
- pain during defecation;
- low weight of feces (less than 50 g);
- feces in the form of balls similar to sheep droppings;
- you have to make an effort during bowel movements;
- bloating;
- feeling of incomplete bowel movement.
Signs in children:
- rare bowel movements (for natural people less than once every 4-5 days, for artificial people - less than once every 2-3 days);
- poor appetite;
- hard belly;
- insomnia;
- hysterics.
It happens that signs of constipation are a consequence not only of poor nutrition or decreased intestinal motility, but also of tumors. Therefore, if constipation does not stop, you should consult a doctor who will prescribe an examination.
Precautionary measures
- Do not use the product orally for stomach ulcers. The composition of liquid paraffin is almost neutral, but with a peptic ulcer, getting any unfamiliar food into the stomach cavity can cause severe pain.
- Enemas should not be given to pregnant women. Vaseline can stimulate the intestines so much that when you try to pass stool, the stomach becomes unnecessarily tense, and this will contribute to the premature dilatation of the cervix.
- Intestinal obstruction is the reason for refusing to use the oil. The drug can move the stool, but the congestion will not allow it to come out. This will cause a rupture of the rectal wall.
- The remedy is not used to relieve constipation if the patient suffers from rectal prolapse. Straining can cause the disease to worsen.
Attention! Vaseline should not be used to combat constipation on an ongoing basis. Intestinal motility may become accustomed to external stimulation and cease to function independently.
There are other ways to eliminate fecal retention, which can be found in the article “Home methods for relieving constipation.”
Be healthy! Published: September 21, 2015
Overdose
Liquid paraffin is a safe means for regulating the physiological rhythm of bowel movements, but this does not mean that it can be used uncontrolled. Sometimes patients, in order to achieve quick results, exceed the dosages recommended in the instructions for the drug. This should not be done, as ingesting excessive amounts of laxatives can lead to:
- nausea;
- discomfort and pain in the abdomen;
- diarrhea (diarrhea);
- water and electrolyte disturbances.
Overdose is treated by eliminating symptoms.
