Betadine is an antiseptic that disinfects wounds, eliminates the inflammatory process and stimulates their healing. It is used for a long time. Levomekol is an antibiotic that suppresses microbes, eliminates inflammation, which contributes to healing, scarring of wounds.
The effect of the drug extends to cleansing the wound from purulent exudate. It is used only for about 4 days, and then healing drugs are connected.
Clinical studies have shown that for patients with trophic ulcers, pressure sores, infected wounds and with a diabetic foot, Betadine was more effective. Wound cleansing and granulation is faster than from Levomekol.
In this case, if the patient has a violation of the thyroid gland, treatment should take place strictly under the supervision of a specialist. Treatment of newborns with Betadine is possible only after examination of the thyroid gland. The drug will not work for those who have chronic renal failure.
Before prescribing a particular drug, the attending physician should see a picture: how much the soft tissues are affected; what microflora is present in the wound (determined by seeding); what level of microbial contamination; place of localization. The patient will be tested for sensitivity to antibiotics. Only after this will Betadine or Levomekol be appointed.
With traumatic injuries of the skin and surgical treatment of purulent-inflammatory diseases of the soft tissues, purulent wounds can form . The situation is complicated by infections after surgery, vascular pathologies and diabetes. In such situations, it is difficult to do without drugs used externally. Surgeons, traumatology, neurosurgeons prescribe Betadine and Levomekol. To understand which of the ointments performs better with the task, it is necessary to consider each separately.
Betadine
An antiseptic, the main substance of which is povidone-iodine. Available in the form of a homogeneous ointment, which has a brown color and a slight smell of iodine. Each aluminum tube holds 20 g of the drug.
The therapeutic effect is due to povidone iodine. It refers to antiseptics and disinfectants. Its antimicrobial effect is manifested by damage to the cell wall of pathogenic microorganisms: gram-negative, gram-positive, fungi, protozoa, viruses, treponema. Even with prolonged treatment with ointment, harmful pathogens do not acquire resistance to it.
It is noted that Betadine has an anti-inflammatory and local anesthetic (stimulating) property.
The drug is treated with:
- Skin infections of bacterial and fungal origin.
- Trophic ulcers.
- Burns.
- Pressure sores.
- Dermatitis of an infectious origin.
- Abrasions.
- Wounds.
Betadine can not be combined with other antiseptic and disinfectants, especially those containing enzymes, mercury, alkali. If blood is present in the wound, the concentration of the drug must be increased, otherwise the bactericidal effect will be reduced.
The ointment is applied directly to the affected surface 2-3 times a day. Perhaps the use of an occlusive dressing.
Levomekol
An antibacterial drug that promotes healing or scarring of wounds. The therapeutic effect is carried out due to the main substances – chloramphenicol (7.5 mg) and methyluracil (40 mg) per 1 g of ointment. The drug has a white with a yellow tint.
The combined drug is applied topically. Chloramphenicol exhibits osmotic activity, providing an antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory property. The bacteriostatic effect extends to gram-positive, gram-negative microorganisms, including staphylococci, streptococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli.
Methyluracil promotes cell regeneration, accelerates scarring of wounds, eliminates inflammatory processes. Polyethylene glycols, as additional substances, adsorb exudate from the wound.
Ointment is used for:
- Purulent wounds infected with mixed microflora.
- Trophic ulcers.
- Pressure sores.
- Burns infected.
- Boils.
- Karbunkulah.
Treatment of purulent wounds caused by infections of various microorganisms is carried out only in the first phase of the wound process. In the presence of purulent exudate and necrotic masses in the wound, the antibacterial effect of the drug is preserved.
The ointment is injected into the wound through a drainage or syringe, preheating to 35 ° C. Or the wound is filled with gauze dressings soaked in Levomekol. Dressings are carried out daily until the wound is cleaned of pus and begins to granulate. The daily dose does not exceed 3 g. Children are used after 3 years.
Ointment therapy lasts no more than 4 days, then it can cause osmotic shock in healthy cells. Therefore, for 5-7 days, drugs are connected that will repair damaged tissue.
What unites drugs?
Both are used to treat wounds and damage to the skin. Both are effective in controlling pathogens. Cause a number of adverse reactions:
| Betadine | Levomekol |
| Violation of the functional activity of the thyroid gland (with a large wound surface and mucous membranes). | Allergic reactions in the form of a rash of dermatitis, burning, itching, swelling, including angioedema, hyperemia, urticaria. |
| Allergic reactions in the form of burning, swelling, itching, hyperemia and pain. | General weakness. |
They have some contraindications:
| Betadine | Levomekol |
| Dermatitis Dühring. | Hypersensitivity to the components of the drug. |
| Thyroid adenoma. | Eczema. |
| Hyperthyroidism | Psoriasis. |
| Hypersensitivity to iodine. | Cutaneous fungus. |
| Joint treatment with radioactive iodine. | |
| Premature, newborn babies. | |
| Bites of insects, domestic and wild animals. |
When treating with one and the other drug, it is necessary to strictly observe the rules of use. Avoid contact with eyes.
