Characteristics of castor oil
The product has been obtained from the seeds of the castor bean plant since time immemorial. Africa is considered to be its homeland, from where it was brought to Ancient Rome, India, Latin America, and Europe. During archaeological excavations, its remains are found in ancient mummies and tombs of pharaohs. Castor oil takes pride of place in the arsenal of Ayurveda. The name also goes back to antiquity, from the Latin castorea - beaver, because its smell resembles that of a beaver.
The popularity of the oil became clear after studying its composition, which includes saturated fatty acids: ricinoleic, linoleic, oleic, stearic, palmitic. They are not subject to rapid oxidation, so castor oil is stored for a long time and does not form a film on the surface.
Coins for hematomas
Surprisingly, ordinary lead coins also help cope with hematomas. And this is not a myth. The benefits of lead heels have been proven by doctors and scientists. And the point here is not only that the cooled patch helps to narrow small blood vessels and prevents the appearance of swelling. The point of using lead coins is that they release oxides. When a coin touches a person’s skin, these substances are activated by sweat, and then penetrate through the pores into the patient’s body. These active elements help prevent hematoma.
Use in medicine
Castor oil has laxative properties, so it is used for constipation. But it's not suitable for everyone. Ricinolic acid, formed during its breakdown, can cause irritation of the intestinal wall, spasms, and exacerbation of the inflammatory process.
The main use of the oil is external; it is used to remove warts, papillomas, and areas of hyperkeratosis (coarsening) of the skin. It is included in many ointments for the treatment of various skin diseases and wounds due to its anti-inflammatory, softening and regenerating effects.
Castor oil has also been used for a long time in the form of warm compresses on the joint area for arthritis, arthrosis, gout; it relieves pain and inflammation well. The same compresses help with muscle spasms and inflammation - myositis.
Causes of swelling and bruising under the eyes
Swelling and bruising under the eyes do not appear just like that; there must be the following reasons:
- little sleep in one day, getting up early;
- poor nutrition, which does not contain enough vitamins, microelements, minerals and other beneficial substances;
- bad habits such as alcoholism, drug addiction, smoking;
- fluid retention in the body due to pathology of internal organs;
- insufficient water consumption, which should be at least 2 liters per day;
- the use of low-quality cosmetics that negatively affect the skin;
- the physiological structure of the face that a person inherited from parents or other relatives;
- systemic diseases that negatively affect the entire body, for example, diabetes, kidney inflammation, liver pathologies, dermatitis;
- a history of allergies, which makes the patient’s condition more severe, contributes to the deterioration of skin quality.
You can find many other conditions and diseases of the body that form a defect on the eyelids, since any of them manifests itself on the patient’s appearance, making him painful and pale.
Application in cosmetology
Castor oil is most widely used to treat and strengthen hair, care for the skin of the face and neck, hands, and feet. It has a softening, moisturizing and regenerating effect. Masks, rubs, applications are used in pure form and as part of various creams.
Face and neck skin care
Castor oil helps keep facial skin fresh and slows down the formation of wrinkles. Cosmetologists recommend the following recipes:
- for dry skin – a spoonful of castor oil and honey plus 1 egg yolk, apply in the form of masks for 15-20 minutes 2 times a week;
- for oily skin - add a spoonful of lemon juice and 5-6 drops of oil to 100 g of gruel made from fresh cucumber, stir well, use daily as a tonic;
- for normal skin - it is better to add to day and night cosmetic creams at the rate of a few drops per 50 ml.
Hair strengthening
The product is good for revitalizing hair follicles, enhances hair growth, eliminates fragility, adds elasticity and shine, and removes dandruff. It is used in pure form or mixed with burdock oil.
The most popular masks are: oil heated in a water bath is applied to the scalp with light rubbing movements, the head is covered with plastic wrap, wrapped in a towel and left for 2 hours. The procedure is repeated 1-2 times a week.
Application for eyebrows and eyelashes
The oil revitalizes the structure of eyebrows and eyelashes, making them darker and thicker. It is especially useful to use it after chemical dyeing to prevent fragility and thinning. It is also necessary for frequent use of mascara. It is enough to lubricate eyebrows and eyelashes once a day at night after washing and removing mascara.
Nail and hand skin care
Castor oil can strengthen nail plates, make them smooth and shiny. It should be rubbed into the clean surface of the nails 1-2 times a day. To keep the skin of your hands smooth and soft, after cleansing or after a warm bath, apply a thin layer of oil, put on latex or vinyl gloves for several hours, or even overnight.
Feet care
In everyday life, castor oil is called “heel heaven.” It really helps soften the rough areas on the bottom of your feet. First make a warm soap and soda bath for 15 minutes, then wipe the skin and spread it generously, cover with a thin layer of cotton wool, put on socks and leave overnight. The procedure is done once a week.
What to do if oil gets into your eyes
First aid should be provided to the victim immediately after the substance gets on the mucous membrane. At home, it is only possible to rinse the eye, apply drops (if they are in the first aid kit), and apply a sterile bandage.
After this, the victim is taken to an ophthalmologist to prescribe qualified treatment. The doctor examines the damaged organ, removes any remaining foreign body, and provides pain relief if necessary. It is recommended to rest your vision for several days by using dark glasses.
How to rinse correctly
It is necessary to learn how to properly rinse the eye in order to clean it as much as possible from foreign bodies, without aggravating the damage. Washing technique:
- pour cool boiled water into a saucer;
- bend over the saucer so that the eyeball comes into contact with the surface of the water;
- Blink in the water several times to wash away foreign bodies.
Under no circumstances should you rub the damaged area. This will cause the foreign substance to go even deeper, making it much more difficult to remove.
After washing, drops of Albucid or boric acid are instilled. Any other drops and ointments are used only after examination by a doctor. The area of the damaged organ of vision is covered with a sterile napkin and secured with a plaster. So the victim is taken to the doctor.
Video: How to wash your eyes with folk remedies
Cold oil got in
If a substance at room temperature or from the refrigerator gets on the mucous membrane, it will not cause severe damage. You just need to rinse the organ of vision, and if the image remains blurry, drop drops. If discomfort persists after a few hours, consult an ophthalmologist.
Video: If essential oil gets into your eye
Hot oil burn
A more serious situation occurs if the eyes are damaged by hot oily liquid. This usually happens during cooking - hot oil splashes into the face, causing a burn. Oily liquids have a higher temperature than water and retain it longer. Therefore, the likelihood of getting burned is higher.
The damaged organ is washed with cool water and drops are instilled. The doctor will prescribe healing ointments for the treatment of the burn - Solcoseryl or Korneregel.
Damage to the organ of vision from oily liquids is in most cases harmless. But if a caustic or hot liquid gets in, complications can occur, including loss of vision. This can be avoided by following safety precautions and promptly consulting a doctor.
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When can castor oil cause harm?
The possibility of using castor oil internally in liquid form or in capsules should always be discussed with your doctor. As a laxative and for weight loss, it is not suitable for everyone; it can cause intestinal irritation and diarrhea.
It should not be given to small children as a laxative; there are modern remedies that are more suitable for children. It should not be taken by pregnant women to cleanse the intestines; spasms of the smooth muscles of the uterus and miscarriage are possible.
Allergy sufferers should not use castor oil without a preliminary test.
Symptoms of an oil burn
Oils have a high boiling point. When they come into contact with the cornea, they form a film that impairs vision. The oil acts in the same way as a foreign body.
Contact with hot oil causes the following symptoms:
- sharp pain in the eyeball;
- severe burning of the eyelids;
- skin redness;
- photophobia;
- the appearance of a large amount of tear fluid;
- blurred visual field.
Contact with even cold burdock oil in the eyes can cause a chemical burn. In this case, its effect will be the same as in the case of high temperature. The victim experiences the following symptoms:
- decreased visual acuity;
- redness of the eyes;
- soreness;
- swelling of the eyelids;
- photophobia and lacrimation;
- constant discomfort;
- foreign body and sand sensation;
- spasm;
- pain;
- severe itching.
If you experience the following symptoms, it is recommended to consult a doctor because they indicate serious damage to your vision:
- a sharp and sudden loss of the ability to see clearly;
- the appearance of a dark spot;
- limitation of the visual field (a person feels as if the view is being obscured by a gradually increasing dark veil);
- severe pain in the eye area, combined with pain in the head area on the side of the affected eye;
- the appearance of rainbow circles when trying to look at shiny objects;
- pain behind the eyeball, which intensifies during its movement.
Where to buy castor oil
The product is available in 2 types: cold and hot pressed. The first option contains more nutrients and is a little more expensive. Although in general this is a cheap product. Castor oil must be purchased in pharmacies in Moscow and other cities, where proven products are sold indicating the manufacturer, his details, the purpose of use (external or internal) and shelf life.
Before purchasing this product for medical use, you should first check with your doctor to see if it is appropriate for you. It would not be superfluous to consult a cosmetologist so that the effect of the product is maximum.
How to remove a bruise from a blow?
To quickly get rid of a bruise, you need to provide first aid correctly. In the future, homemade or pharmacy ointments are used.
First aid
The simplest first aid option is to apply ice to the impact site. Cold has a vasoconstrictor effect and prevents blood from spreading. To avoid frostbite, ice is wrapped in a cloth or towel.
15 minutes after the injury, the cold is removed and Heparin ointment or Troxevasin is applied. This remedy will eliminate pain and relieve swelling.
You can apply a chopped cabbage leaf to the impact site. To avoid the formation of a hematoma, you need to freeze vodka diluted in half with water. Ice should be used to wipe the impact area as often as possible.
For first aid use:
- Iodine. On the second day after the bruise appears, you need to make a mesh of 5% iodine. However, this is not the best option for the face.
- Calendula. Lotions and compresses are made based on the tincture.
- Aloe. A cut sheet is applied to the site of the bruise. A patch is used for fixation.
The use of bodyagi has a good effect. The powder is diluted in water and applied. After drying, the product is washed off with running water.
How long does it take?
Ophthalmologist of the highest category. Candidate of Medical Sciences.
The speed at which a bruise disappears from a blow depends on the area of the lesion and whether the vessels were affected. Most often, such a defect goes away within 5-7 days. Major damage resolves within 9 days of intensive treatment.
First aid
If hot oil gets into your eyes, follow these steps:
- Rinse eyes with cold water.
- Instill drops with chloramphenicol or an antiseptic.
- Apply a cold compress to the affected organ of vision. It is allowed to use a cold tea bag and gauze soaked in cold water. If there are no available means, then you can immerse your face in cold water. The compress is fixed with a bandage of cotton wool and gauze, secured with an adhesive plaster.
- When providing first aid, do not rub your eyes: this only aggravates the injury.
- If blurred vision occurs, it is useful to drop Visine or a similar drug into the eyes.
- When exposed to boiling oil, it is advisable to blink and squint less.
- You should refrain from using any “folk remedies for burns”: they will only worsen your vision and the condition of the organ of vision.
Failure to provide first aid and delayed treatment can cause the following complications:
- cicatricial fusion of the eyelids, leading to the fact that a person cannot fully open the eye;
- damage to eyelashes;
- clouding of the cornea, leading to partial or complete loss of vision;
- fusion of eyelids;
- impaired tear production leading to dry eye disease;
- fusion of the lacrimal duct;
- inflammation of the conjunctiva;
- inflammation of the tear duct;
- chronic inflammation of the eye structures;
- cataract;
- increased pressure in the eyes.