A bottle of bright green alcohol solution “diamond green” is the first medicine in the life of every person born in Russia. I wouldn’t be surprised if in the CIS too, from time immemorial we have been smearing the newly tied navel of newborns with brilliant green. To prevent infection. There is not a single home first aid kit without brilliant green. Old people also adore her. Meanwhile, it is no longer used anywhere in the world. Why? The answer to this question required real investigation.

Mad Ignatz

In the mid-nineteenth century in enlightened Europe, every tenth woman in labor died from puerperal fever. Despite the fact that the births were not attended by any midwives, but by certified doctors.

A young obstetrician at a Vienna hospital, Ignaz Semmelweis, was terribly worried about his patients and tried to understand the reasons. And I came up with the idea: doctors at that time practiced a lot in the autopsy room. They often resorted to delivering babies directly from the corpse, wiping their hands with handkerchiefs. Ignatz decided that they were infecting women in labor with “cadaveric poison.” And he suggested that before approaching the woman in labor, keep your hands in a bleach solution. Mortality decreased by 7 times.

But Semmelweis’s colleagues did not accept Semmelweis’s newfangled ideas; they laughed at him and bullied him. Even the death of the German doctor Gustav Michaelis did not convince the medical community. He laughed at Ignatz’s ideas, but decided to test them in practice. And when the mortality rate among his patients also dropped significantly, he could not stand the humiliation and committed suicide.

And poor Ignatz also ended badly: first he ended up in a mental hospital, and soon died, ironically, from sepsis, the same thing that patients were dying from before his brilliant insight. Later, grateful descendants, however, erected a monument to him. This is what we can do.

Smart Louis and Smart William

And around the same time in Paris, Louis Pasteur realized that the “animalcules” discovered 175 years before by Anton van Leeuwenhoek - now known as bacteria - are contagious and are the cause of many diseases for which no explanation had previously been found.

And around the same time, an inquisitive young chemist William Perkin in the city of London was trying to create a new medicine for malaria and experimenting with coal tar. He dripped acid onto it, sublimated it, distilled it, etc. And suddenly he received a substance of a radical purple color, which he later called mauvais (from the English name of the mallow flower). The color turned out to be so persistent that the washerwoman could not remove its stains from the shirt. But dad Perkin, a builder, did not scold his son, but rejoiced: I don’t know how there is a cure for malaria, but you’ve already earned a piece of bread and butter. And he opened the first plant for the production of resin (aniline) dyes. Well done Willie gave up science and became so successful in the production of dyes that at the end of his life he was knighted and became a sir.

In the same years, other organic dyes were synthesized: from black to yellow. They quickly replaced natural dyes such as indigo or cochineal, which were much more expensive, but could not give standard, long-lasting color to fabrics. Doctors began to use new dyes to color preparations of various microorganisms in order to better examine them under a microscope. And they saw that these substances kill microbes outright. But this is how another path for dyes was determined - medical.

Carbolic acid, sublimate, lapis and K

After Pasteur's discoveries, antiseptics began to flourish in medicine. That is, ways to combat pathogenic bacteria. Doctors vied with each other to come up with new ways to disinfect wounds, instruments, dressings, and their own hands. Surgery blossomed before our eyes.

Salts of mercury (mercurochrome and sublimate) and silver (lapis), the same brilliant green and an alcohol solution of iodine were then used as antiseptics. As well as carbolic acid, or phenol. Even now, it is partially used for the production of antiseptics, for example, in the USA, the drug Oracept is used to treat infections of the mouth and throat - pay special attention to this. But mainly - for the production of familiar epoxy resins, nylon and nylon, pesticides and... aspirin. However, there is information that the poisonous carbolic acid itself also has carcinogenic properties.

Today, other, more modern antiseptics are used in medicine. But good old bleach has not been written off either. At least we all buy homemade disinfectants containing loudly advertised chlorinol, including imported ones. But this is just a fancy name for sodium hypochlorite - the brother of our beloved bleach, that is, bleach. And no one is surprised at its vitality.

Diamonds for the dictatorship of business

But many champions of modernity are ready to wipe the green stuff off the face of the earth. The argument is that it is not used anywhere in the West.

Let's figure it out. First of all, what is so brilliant about it? Other dyes have more modest names. There is malachite green, there is methylene blue and violet. There is yellow rivanol and red fuchsin. And he alone is diamond.

In dry form, before dissolving in alcohol, these are golden-green lumps, in Latin viridis nitentis, that is, “green shiny.” Translating the name into French, an unknown chemist used the word brillant - in French “brilliant”. Well, some idiot of ours, like illiterate translators even now, translated it as “diamond.” That's all.

We are accustomed to treating any scratch, abrasion or cut with brilliant green, especially for children, who in such cases squeal from iodine and are afraid of hissing hydrogen peroxide. But abroad, we will not find brilliant green in any pharmacy. And we wonder: how do they live without her? And they are surprised to see our children, painted like strange green leopards.

So why is there no greenery beyond the civilized border? I pestered at least a dozen famous pharmacologists, dermatologists, and pediatricians with this question. The majority did not answer.

Yes, because the West has adopted the doctrine of evidence-based medicine,” Professor Ivan Kozlov, dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy at the Russian State Medical University, finally explained. - And the molecular mechanism of action of brilliant green and other dyes is still unknown. To find out, it is necessary to conduct complex and expensive studies. And who will do this for such an old drug?

But what about the vague talk that brilliant green has carcinogenic properties, like, for example, carbolic acid? Is there even a shred of truth in this?

“And no one knows either,” the professor shrugs. - Mandatory tests of drugs for carcinogenicity were introduced much later than its appearance. And no one thinks of carrying them out for the same reasons.

Whose examples are more infectious?

Another assumption was made by the chief physician of the Moscow City Dermatovenerological Dispensary, Peter Bogush.

In Western medicine, in addition to effectiveness, the aesthetic side is also important. But traditionally, we don’t pay much attention to the patient’s comfort. Although in our dispensary for the treatment of ulcers, cracks and other skin damage, we recommend the so-called Castellani liquid, but colorless, without magenta, which gives it a bright crimson color. It’s not necessary to highlight your problems with dye.

In such cases, Americans use ointments based on antibiotics and, believe it or not, regular sugar mixed with betadine is one of the iodine compounds. With my own eyes I read on the Internet the advice of their pediatrician to mix five ounces of sugar and one and a half betadine and smear it on the child. Well, I don’t know... For me, it’s much more fun to paint the offspring with brilliant green or the same fucorcin (that is, raspberry fuchsin). Besides, flies can fly to sugar. Yes, it’s good if there are flies, but what if there are bees? No, our simple greenie is still somehow cuter.

100 ml of solution contains 1000 mg brilliant green and 95% ethanol (ethanol).

Release form

The Obnovlenie company produces a 1% alcohol solution of brilliant green in bottles of 10; 15; 25 ml or in dropper tubes of 1 or 10 ml.

pharmachologic effect

Antiseptic .

Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics

Brilliant Green is a product used exclusively for local (external) use. The drug has antimicrobial effectiveness aimed at destroying gram positive, And fungicidal action aimed at some pathogenic fungi . Not characterized annoying , painkillers or anti-inflammatory effects.

Due to its limited external influence, information about the absorption of drugs into the bloodstream and its further participation in metabolic or biochemical processes in the human body is absent.

Indications for use

• fresh post-traumatic /postoperative scars ;
• ocular blepharitis /meibomites ;
• pustular diseases skin;
• cuts /abrasions ;
• other skin damage.

Contraindications

The only prohibition on the use of Zelenka is personal hypersensitivity to her patient.

Side effects

A side effect of the drug may include a feeling burning sensation , which is formed briefly after its use.

Diamond green, instructions for use

Instructions for use of Zelenka recommend applying the solution using cotton swabs or gauze swabs directly on injured skin surfaces . Treatment with brilliant green should cover a small area healthy skin located around damaged tissues.

Overdose

External use of drugs cannot lead to an overdose.

Interaction

There is incompatibility of the solution with local disinfectants, including chlorine , active And alkalis (including solution ).

Due to the limited influence of the drug, it is not possible to establish the facts of its effect on the pharmacodynamic and/or pharmacokinetic parameters of other drugs.

Terms of sale

To purchase Zelenka, a recipe in Latin is not required.

Storage conditions

In order to preserve all the qualities of the solution, its storage temperature should be limited to – 15 °C.

Best before date

From the date of manufacture – 2 years.

special instructions

When using the drug to treat skin areas adjacent to the eye, you should avoid applying it to mucous membranes .

Zelenka for Chickenpox

Most likely, most people have childhood memories that include brothers, sisters, friends and classmates simply covered in green circles all over their bodies. At the same time, the word immediately appears in my head - “ Chickenpox «.

Chickenpox , or more correctly to say - , is viral disease caused by exposure Varicella Zoster and characterized by the development and occurrence of benign papulovesicular (bubble ) rash . This painful condition is quite contagious, and therefore most people suffered it and, as a rule, in childhood, when this virus , unlike in adult patients, most often does not cause any serious complications.

In the countries of the post-Soviet space, where such a drug as Zelenka was actually distributed, there was a practice of lubricating bubbles rash with Brilliant Green solution, and this was done solely for the purpose of determining stage of the disease , after which the patient had no idea infection threats other people. As has been noted, " contagiousness » patient chickenpox took place 5 days after the formation of the last rash vesicle , and Zelenka served as a kind indicator the appearance of this very final bubble , that is, no new places have arisen for using the solution, which means after 5 days there is no need to be afraid spread of infection .

However, to this day, forum topics are being created in which the question is clarified whether it is possible to smear with Zelenka the problem that arises when Vchicken grass rash and whether it should be done. The answer to this question is quite simple and is determined by the phrase “yes - it is possible, but not necessary”, since it can be cured or somehow influenced virus chickenpox using external means is not possible.

How to wash brilliant green from skin and how to remove brilliant green from clothes?

As a rule, a few days after using Zelenka, the stains it leaves disappear on their own in the process of daily washing and skin treatment. sebaceous glands . Of course, it is better to wait for the natural disappearance of unwanted staining with the drug than to wipe off Zelenka using various chemical compounds, damaging it in the process skin .

However, if you need to get rid of green stains urgently, anyone can help alcohol solution , acetone , bleach, , baking soda with the addition of vinegar or juice lemon . It is worth noting that you should immediately prepare for a labor-intensive and lengthy scrubbing process until the observed stains become barely noticeable. You can finally wash off the brilliant green scrub , thick cream or means to remove makeup .

Often, when using a Brilliant Green solution, it gets on the clothes of the person using it and remains on it as a bright, difficult-to-remove stain, which is quite problematic to remove at home. There is no universal remedy for removing green spots, since different tissues react completely ambiguously to certain chemical substances .

For example, to remove Zelenka from cotton fabrics you will need to soak things for 2 hours in a warm water solution bleach , and for dense fabrics treatment may be suitable acetone followed by washing laundry soap .

Remove stains from delicate fabrics possible using alcohol-containing products or dining room vinegar , and remove contamination from woolen clothes without damaging it, it is possible only by prolonged washing laundry soap .

Also, recently there have been a lot of advertisements stain-removing funds a new generation that supposedly can remove any unwanted dirt without harming the quality of the fabrics. In this case, we can recommend a thorough study of the components of such a product and instructions for its use, so as not to dissolve delicate fabric along with the unwanted stain.

Analogs

Level 4 ATX code matches:

• Antisept ;
• Medosept ;
• Bioantisept ;
• Bonaderm ;
• Biosept ;
• Vitasept ;
• Manisoft ;
• Septile ;
• Alcohol ;
• Sterillium ;
• Pharmasept etc.

Reviews of Diamond Green Solution

Reviews of Zelenka as antiseptics a priori cannot be negative. During the Soviet Union and after its subsequent collapse, the choice antiseptics was quite small and was mainly carried out between Hydrogen peroxide , Zelenka or, where the first place, deservedly, was occupied by the Brilliant Green solution. At the moment, the popularity of Zelenka has also remained at a high level, which suggests that this drug copes with its responsibilities 100%. Critical reviews of this drug arise only in connection with its “stainable” properties, the fight against which can indeed be quite painstaking.

Price for Diamond Green, where to buy

The price of Zelenka, depending on the volume of the container containing it and the manufacturer, ranges from 10-70 rubles.

• Online pharmacies in Russia Russia
• Online pharmacies in Ukraine Ukraine

Pharmacy Dialog

Brilliant green solution 1% 10ml cap with spatula

Diamond green solution 1% 25ml

Brilliant Green Solution 1% 10ml cap with brush

Diamond green solution 1% 10ml

Europharm * 4% discount using promo code medside11

Brilliant Green Solution 10ml with Scoop Cap MFF

Diamond green solution 25 ml Samaramedprom

For those born in the USSR, brilliant green is a symbol of indestructible will and confident well-being. Zelenka was (and remains anywhere) a universal means of combating many diseases. However, not everyone knows what made this drug so popular, why it is “diamond” and why Western medicine disavows the use of such a magical healer.

How did the greenery appear?

Its history goes back to the 19th century and the weaving industry. A young London chemist, William Perkin, was at that time developing a cure for malaria. The result of one of the experiments was a substance colored in an unnaturally bright purple color. It was impossible to wash this color out of clothes. The resourceful father squeezed practical benefits out of the unexpected experiment and opened a factory for the production of aniline dyes.

Doctors used dyes for their own purposes. They stained the preparations to better see the life of microorganisms under a microscope. Suddenly, doctors discovered that one of the dyes, namely brilliant green, destroys microbes. Since then, this antiseptic drug has confidently entered medical practice. Today, many effective antiseptics have been invented, but brilliant green is in no hurry to give way to analogues.

Is this “green” so “diamond”?

Dry greens are lumps of golden-green color. The Latin name of this substance is viridis nitentis, literally translated as shiny green. One of the scientists, translating the term into French, used the word brillant, which does not contradict the meaning (brilliant in one of its meanings is brilliant). Confusion occurred when translating from French into Russian. Brillant was used to mean brilliant. Among all the dyes, only brilliant green has such a pompous name.

Why are Europeans afraid of green stuff?

It is worth noting that today brilliant green is used only in Russia and some CIS countries. What is the reason for such hostility on the part of the rest of the world? European scientists find it difficult to give a clear answer. They justify their dislike with the following points:

• The mechanism of action of brilliant green is not well understood. Western medicine does not intend to use a drug that has not been thoroughly studied. As well as spending money and time on experiments with brilliant green.
• Aesthetic side. Well, the extremely civilized part of the planet does not like this method of “greening” the patient. Why spoil your appearance when there is such an abundance of invisible antiseptics around?

By the way, the widespread belief that brilliant green is a strong carcinogen may in fact turn out to be just a myth. No relevant studies have been conducted on this matter.

Other fun facts

Do you know that:

• for a white rat, a dose of 0.05 g/kg is a lethal dose,
• brilliant green is used in industry for dyeing (cotton, silk, paper, etc.),
• the chemical formula of brilliant green is C27H33N2*HC2O4*H2O,
• During the Stalinist repressions, the prisoner’s number was displayed in “diamond green” on the bodies of those executed.

Having once again chosen brilliant green instead of the usual iodine as an antiseptic for a wound, we thought: what is this anyway? We more or less understand what iodine is and where it comes from (it is on the periodic table and is produced from algae), but brilliant green, or more precisely Brilliant green solution(as it is written on the jar) is not clear to us at all. And why is iodine used in some situations, and brilliant green in others?

“We went” to the Internet: after typing “what is brilliant green” into Yandex, we got a mountain of garbage on the first page of the search engine. The first thing that came across “on topic” was Dictionary Russian language (Ozhegov S., Shvedova N), where they write:

ZELENKA
and, f. (colloquial). The medicine is a green alcohol-based disinfectant liquid for the treatment of scratches, cuts, and skin diseases. Lubricate with brilliant green.

But this is not an answer to the question: what exactly is brilliant green and what is it made from??

Efremova's Dictionary: « Zelenka F 1. open An alcohol solution of brilliant green, used to treat scratches, cuts, etc. 2. Green pasture for livestock; agricultural crops used for such feed.»

Not the same again. Let's change the request... so what does it say on the jar? Brilliant green alcohol solution 1%- Let's look for him.

Well, here come the drug encyclopedias, pharmaceutical factories and medical websites. They write the same thing:

Russian name: Diamond Green
Latin name: Brilliant green
Tradename: Brilliant green (Viride nitens)

Chemical name: Bis-(p-diethylamino)triphenyl anhydrocarbinol oxalate
Gross formula: C29H33O4N2

Description: transparent, intensely green liquid with the odor of alcohol.

Composition by components: brilliant green, water, ethanol.

Characteristic: Antiseptic from the group of dyes.
Greenish-golden lumps or golden-green powder. Slightly soluble in water (1:50) and alcohol; solutions have an intense green color. Soluble in chloroform.

Pharmacology:
Pharmacological action - antiseptic. Is highly active and fast-acting antiseptic ohm Active against gram-positive bacteria. In an aquatic environment, it has a detrimental effect on the culture of Staphylococcus aureus (Staphylococcus aureus) at a concentration of 1:10000000, its phenol coefficient is 40,000 (phenol coefficient is the ratio of the concentrations of phenol and the antiseptic tested, in which the substances have the same antimicrobial effect, the phenol coefficient is one of the common criteria assessment of antiseptic activity). The diphtheria bacillus (Corynebacterium diphtheriae) is highly sensitive to brilliant green. In the presence of organic substances, antimicrobial activity decreases: when assessing the activity of this dye in a medium containing 10% blood serum, the phenol coefficient is 120 (0.3% of the value in an aqueous medium).

Application:
Fresh postoperative and post-traumatic scars, meibomitis (styre), blepharitis, pyoderma, abrasions, cuts, violations of the integrity of the skin, erysipelas, folliculitis.

Contraindications: Hypersensitivity.

Side effects: Skin irritation; upon contact with the mucous membrane of the eye - burning, lacrimation.

Interaction: Incompatible with disinfectant drugs containing active iodine, chlorine, alkalis (including ammonia solution).

Directions for use and dosage: Externally, applied to the damaged surface, capturing the surrounding healthy tissue.

Cautions: do not allow the drug to come into contact with the mucous membrane of the eye.

Release form: in glass bottles.

Storage conditions: in a cool place, away from fire, out of the reach of children.

Best before date: Use no later than the date indicated on the package.

Conditions for dispensing from pharmacies: dispensed without a doctor's prescription.

For ourselves we take out: antiseptic from the group of dyes.
It’s already interesting, but it remains unclear: where does it come from, what is it made from, and what is it – paint? We leaf through the pages of the search engine... everything is the same.

Then we change the request to “diamond green” and seem to be starting to get closer to the goal!

By the way, we forgot about Wikipedia. In it we read:

Brilliant Green (Medicine)
Brillia

To make the “brilliant green”, familiar to most of us from childhood, the so-called brilliant green is used - an aniline dye of the triphenylmethane series, first synthesized in Germany in 1879. This substance in dry form is small lumps or powder of golden-green color with a shiny surface. What is the “green stuff” that is used to lubricate abrasions? The drug is prepared by dissolving this solid dye in water or medical alcohol. It is interesting that almost nowhere in the world, except for the countries of the former CIS, this remedy is not used in medical practice, considering it ineffective and unaesthetic.

In medicine, a 1-2% alcohol (less often, aqueous) solution of brilliant green is used. It is effective against gram-positive bacteria, but it has virtually no effect on gram-negative bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus, streptococcus, and diphtheria bacillus are sensitive to it. "Zelenka", the composition of which is quite simple, is used to treat the surgical field and scars - both postoperative and post-traumatic. An alcohol solution of brilliant green is used to spot-smear the eyelids when styes and meibomites (internal styes) begin. This simple procedure often helps prevent the development of the disease - inflammation stops at the initial stage. For blepharitis (inflammation of the edges of the eyelids), brilliant green is also used. The composition of this drug, however, is such that it can cause irritation and even burn the mucous membrane of the eyes. Therefore, when lubricating your eyelids, you need to be especially careful.

A good effect is achieved by using “green stuff” in complex carbunculosis and pyoderma. After lubricating the skin with it, a bandage with antibacterial ointment is usually applied to the affected areas. In severe forms of the disease, antibiotics are also prescribed orally. For scratches, abrasions, and small-area wounds, brilliant green remains the most popular remedy.

The composition of the drug allows it to be used even for the treatment of infants. A solution of brilliant green is used to treat the umbilical wound of a newborn baby, lubricate pimples and insect bites. When treating large surfaces, for example, with diaper rash or allergic diathesis, use its 1% aqueous solution. This “green stuff” (its composition is completely harmless) will not harm children’s delicate skin. Finally, this product is used to lubricate the “bubbles” of chickenpox: after this treatment they not only dry out better, but also practically do not itch. The child scratches the rashes less, they do not become infected, heal faster and do not leave marks.

When treating abrasions with brilliant green, babies often cry. You can try to distract an upset child by inviting him to paint the skin (and eventually the site of the abrasion) on his own, or together with his mother to “blow” on the wound on which the “green paint” was applied.

“What is brilliant green made of?” - a long, detailed answer to the baby’s question or a fairy tale invented on the spot on this topic will also help calm him down. However, it should be borne in mind that there are known cases of individual intolerance to brilliant green; their symptoms are severe burning and itching. Therefore, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to lubricate your child’s abrasions and cuts with another product - for example, Feniran wound healing gel.

Unlike other popular antiseptic brilliant green, it does not burn the skin and mucous membranes, so it can be used to treat not only the surface around the wound, but also the wound itself. Repeated treatment is carried out with each dressing, and when treating rashes or bites - as the color of the “green” on the skin begins to fade.

Brilliant Green should not be used together with iodine-containing medications. Store it in a dark, cool place: solutions - no more than two years, while powder has no shelf life restrictions.