Thrush is a disease caused by the active proliferation of fungal microflora. The disease causes unpleasant symptoms, including itching, burning, redness of the genitals, as well as the appearance of copious discharge with a sour odor.
The disease interferes with a full life, which is why you want to get rid of it as soon as possible.
Sodium tetraborate or borax in glycerin for thrush is a long-known, affordable, and most importantly, effective remedy. The product is used in various branches of medical practice, among which are: gynecology, cosmetology, dermatology, etc.
Like any drug, sodium tetraborate has its own characteristics of use, side effects and contraindications. Before starting treatment, it is important to carefully study the instructions for use. Under no circumstances should you use borax in glycerin as self-medication.
Pharmacological properties
Borax is highly soluble in water and glycerin. When heated quickly, it dissolves even at 75°C. When heated slowly, a pentahydrate is formed. At a temperature of about 400°C, anhydrous sodium tetraborate is obtained. With further heating it melts to a glassy melt. In this melt, many metal oxides dissolve, forming characteristic spots. With acids, borax decomposes to boric acid.
After oral absorption, resorption occurs quickly and completely. Absorption through the skin and wounds is also possible. In acute intoxication, boron is released relatively quickly through the urine. In chronic intoxication, however, excretion occurs slowly, so it may lead to accumulation in the body. For this reason, subchronic and chronic boron toxicity is higher than acute toxicity.
Boron accumulates in the body (central nervous system, liver), so constant exposure can lead to chronic intoxication. Boron compounds are excreted mainly through the kidneys. Boron-containing preparations supposedly have a powerful disinfectant effect. However, there is only evidence of possible health hazards.
The few studies on this issue are of low quality and therefore not credible. In addition, there is no indication that the human body requires boron at all.
For plants, boron is an important trace element, without which they cannot grow. However, boron compounds are very toxic to insects. One of the well-known drugs is used as a remedy for unpleasant insects in the house.
A person receives boron from drinking water and plant foods. However, doctors are not aware of any biological function of boron in humans and mammals. On the other hand, there is strong evidence that large amounts of boron can be harmful to human health
There is only one clinical study on the beneficial effects of boron. Even if their authors want to make a positive impression of their work, a critical look at the data shows that borax tablets could not relieve the symptoms of infections. Overall, however, too few people took part in the study so that it is unlikely to be meaningful.
Three other studies did not study borax, but a compound of fructose and boric acid. However, all three studies have serious flaws, and one of them did not even examine whether participants' complaints improved. There is no indication that borax or boric acid will actually improve people's conditions.
Although research on the risks associated with boron in humans is sparse, numerous studies in different mammals reach the same conclusion: borax affects the action of sex hormones. The consequences range from decreased sperm quality in men to malformations of the testicles, ribs and cardiovascular system in newborns. Birth weight may also be significantly reduced.
Reason enough for the EU to set a maximum daily limit of 10 milligrams (mg) per day for adults. After all, boron compounds do not appear to be carcinogenic according to the current state of knowledge.
Many mineral waters contain higher amounts of boric acid. People who eat plant-based foods consume significant amounts of boron. In addition to fruits and vegetables, nuts, dried fruits, wine and beer are also relatively rich in boron, while animal products contain little.
Boric acid is also found in some cosmetics, including bath products, oral hygiene products, or powders. Laundry and dishwashing powders contain perborates as bleaching agents.
Release form
Sodium tetraborate is commercially available in two forms: as a prepared solution and tablets.
- A borax solution with a concentration of 20% is used to treat the affected surface of the mucous membrane in children. It is sold in glass bottles with a capacity of 30 grams. This amount is enough for a week's use, during which it is often possible to cope with the disease.
- When purchasing borax tablets, a mixture is prepared from them for rinsing: 2 pieces are dissolved in a glass of water. The prepared substance is used to rinse the mouth. This solution is toxic and therefore not recommended for use by children, as there is a risk of ingestion and poisoning.
Indications for use
Clinical studies on the effects of boron compounds are relatively few. Only one randomized controlled trial examined borax (sodium tetraborate). With only 20 participants, the authors observed a very small number of people, of whom only 15 even stayed to the end.
Ultimately, it was found that the complaints of participants who received borax treatment did not improve any more than those of participants who took a placebo. However, due to the small number of participants, the study has limited informative value.
Three other studies examined the combination of boric acid with calcium fructoborate. However, the authors of one of these studies. The second group of researchers did not statistically test at the beginning or end of their study whether infection complaints differed among participants treated with boron is unknown.
Participants with nonspecific knee pain participated in the latter study. It remains unclear whether the pain was actually caused by osteoarthritis. It's also unclear whether the study's leaders actually randomized participants into the placebo and borax groups.
What is
Borax, as sodium tetraborate is also called, is a white, fine-crystalline powder, soluble in water or glycerin.
It is produced on the basis of boric acid, therefore it is a rather toxic substance. The composition of the drug includes 20 g of the active substance sodium tetraborate and 80 g of the auxiliary substance - glycerol.
The substance is used exclusively for local and external use. For the treatment of stomatitis, borax solution is used as a medicine for spot application, mouth rinse or application to damaged areas.
Instructions for use
The average market price of the drug is 24 Russian rubles.
According to the instructions for use, borax in glycerin for vaginal candidiasis is administered using a gauze swab and left for half an hour. Borax in glycerin is ineffective and dangerous for thrush, so it is recommended to discard the product. Before use, consult a doctor.
Borax in glycerin for thrush in high doses often causes digestive disorders. Therefore, use should be coordinated with a doctor.
Precautionary measures
Since sodium tetraborate is a drug with toxicity level 4, it must be used with caution.
Only external use of the solution is allowed. It is unacceptable to exceed the dosage prescribed by the attending physician. The same applies to the duration of treatment: too long use of the drug can lead to an overdose.
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Contraindications, side effects, overdose
Absolute contraindications:
- Pregnancy
- Age up to 18 years
- Allergic reaction to the components of the drug.
Side effects include local redness of the skin, burning sensation, angioedema and acute breathing difficulties.
An overdose of borax causes symptoms of depression, ataxia and other neurological disorders. There is also trembling of the muscles in the neck and shoulders, as well as in the back. Some cows had seizures and gait disturbances.
Most affected animals developed greenish diarrhea and were slightly dehydrated. Although the sick cows were moved to another pasture, almost all the animals died within the next 6 hours. The original pasture has been studied in detail. Near the fence one could find a hole in the turf, 10-12 cm deep and 1.5 m wide. Next to it were chewed fragments of a plastic bag containing fertilizer containing sodium borate. The farmer mentioned that the cows had previously been without mineral salts for two weeks.
To further clarify the previous case, two goats were brought in and treated with the same fertilizer. The oral dose was 1.8 mg/kg body weight. The younger of the two goats had tremors, abdominal pain and diarrhea after 4 hours and died 8 hours after the fertilizer was administered.
An overdose of boron compounds can be fatal to humans. Before using borax in glycerin, it is recommended to first consult a doctor.
Additional measures
To avoid re-infection, you must follow the following rules:
- monitor your child’s oral hygiene;
- stop biting your nails and putting things in your mouth;
- treat dishes with boiling water: nipples, bottles, plates;
- replace a toothbrush with hard bristles with a soft one;
- treat nipples before breastfeeding;
- Do not feed your baby too hot food.
To reduce pain when eating, special pain-relieving gels are used. In case of extensive damage to the mucous membrane, the spoon can be replaced with a straw, while giving the child only liquid food.
Avoid sour and spicy-tasting foods during treatment so as not to further irritate the mucous membrane. Make sure that the diet is enriched with the necessary mineral and vitamin composition.
Attention must also be paid to the hygiene of the child’s room. It is necessary to regularly wipe surfaces from dust with a damp cloth, replace vacuuming with a damp cloth, monitor the freshness of the air, and if it is excessively dry, humidify the air in the room.
Along with treatment, it is necessary to strengthen the child’s immune forces and ensure rapid restoration of the affected tissue. For this use:
- Aekol - for applications;
- Vinylin - for quick healing;
- Solcoseryl - to restore damaged tissues;
- Sea buckthorn oil - to relieve pain and restore the epithelium.
To speed up tissue healing, rinse with herbs (between the main treatment). To do this, use chamomile, which has antiseptic wound-healing properties. You can use any herbs with an astringent and antiseptic effect (oak, sage, marigold). They also make applications of aloe juice with honey, and rinse the mouth with propolis tincture.
Baking soda with salt is a common remedy for ulcerative lesions of the mucous membrane. For small children, prepare in the following proportion: a coffee spoon of soda and salt per cup of cooled boiled water. If the baby does not know how to rinse his mouth, wipe the mucous membrane with the solution - moisten the gauze and treat the mouth.
Sources used:
- Medicines in dentistry. Directory / L.N. Maksimovskaya, P.I. Roshchina. - M.: Medicine, 2001.
- “Outpatient surgical dentistry” (Bezrukov V.)
- Mashkovsky M.D. Medicines. — 15th ed. - M.: New Wave, 2005.
- https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgd0057.html
Analogs
The main analogues of borax in glycerin are: “Sodium tetraborate” and “Ichthyol ointment”.
Sodium tetraborate
Manufacturer – Nikolaevskaya FF, POKS, Nikolaev, Ukraine
Price – from 42 Russian rubles
Description – a solution for external use, which is used in medical practice for the treatment of vaginal candidiasis and other infectious diseases of varying severity.
Pros – has a pronounced disinfectant effect, reduces the risk of serious post-infectious complications and improves the patient’s condition
Cons – in high doses causes local irritation and pain
Ichthyol ointment
Manufacturer – Lugansk regional “Pharmacy” FF, KP, Lugansk, Ukraine
Price – from 35 Russian rubles
Description – 10% ointment for external use, which reduces the content of pathogenic bacteria and reduces the risk of subsequent infections
Pros – reduces inflammation, bacteria concentration and improves regenerative processes
Cons – possible hypersensitivity reactions and headaches
Chemical composition
The chemical composition is a compound of sodium (16%), boron (37%) and water (47%), and together it is the sodium salt of boric acid.
The compound is the most used boron used in industry and medicine. It is found in minerals in various forms - borax contains the decahydrate of the compound, kernite - the tetrahydrate. A pure substance is obtained through chemical reactions; its solution with glycerin is used in medicine to treat infectious diseases.
For better penetration of the substance into the skin in medicine, the main component is used in combination with glycerin. The pharmacy sells 20% borax with glycerin.
Shelf life and price
The drug is available over-the-counter. The bottle must be stored in a dark place, protected from ultraviolet rays at a temperature of 19-23 degrees Celsius. It is necessary to ensure that the bottle is tightly closed with a lid.
Sodium tetraborate should be kept out of the reach of children. The medicinal product must not be refrigerated or frozen to avoid deterioration of its effectiveness. The shelf life of the solution in glycerin is 3 years from the date of manufacture. The cost of a bottle is from 9 to 20 rubles.
