Strepsils Lozenges

"Ahhhh!"

Come on, you can do better than that. I've got a very sore throat and a croaky voice and yes, I do know it's the wrong time of year. So a little more sympathy please. All my BoyFriend says is that I sound very earthy and sexy - huh! But when I suggest we should play doctors and patients, and ask him if he wants to listen to my chest, he says, "Oh no! I might catch it!"

"Ahhhhhhhhhh!"

That's a little better.

So what do you do when you have a sore throat? I sent BF out for something to make me feel better and he came back with TCP and Strepsils. I'm surprised he didn't bring rubber gloves and a face mask as well. He seems to get narked if I'm under the weather, most peculiar. I think his sympathy gene must be deficient or something, or maybe it is just a 'man thing'.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

So Strepsils, what are they all about? The packet states that they are 'specially formulated to bring effective relief from painful sore throats'. Exactly what I wanted! They contain 'an antiseptic which combats the bacteria which can cause sore throat conditions and also have a local anaesthetic action' - and the next bit's a joke - 'which brings relief of pain and discomfort'. All I can say is, "Oh no they don't".

I've been sucking away slowly, like I've been told - and what's been the result? Well, not much really. My tongue and the roof of my mouth feel temporarily a little numb like after sucking, but it's my throat that's the problem. I tried to drink some orange juice - strewth - it was like swallowing gravel or barbed wire. The Strepsils haven't helped me at all.

Strepsils are lozenges by the way. They look like round boiled sweets and are about 1.75cm in diameter. Mine are 'allegedly' blackcurrant flavour, but you can also buy other sorts such as: Honey & Lemon, Menthol & Eucalyptus, Black Cherry, Original (whatever that means) and ones that are sugar free or contain vitamin C. You pay your money and take your choice. There are 24 lozenges in a packet.

The idea is to dissolve one lozenge (in your mouth, of course) every three hours and not to take more than 12 in 24 hours - which, of course, means to do this you'd have to take one every two hours. A little confusing, but there we are. They are suitable for children of 6 years and over, adults and the elderly. There are special strawberry flavoured 'Streppies' for younger children.

The active ingredient in each lozenge is 2.4mg of Hexylresorcinol, which is an antiseptic, and is known to our scientific friends as C6H13C6H3(CH)2. I looked this up on the Internet and it seems to be a safe, common ingredient found in over the counter medicines. I did read, however, that as well as being an antiseptic it is also a worming agent! Comforting to know that, should there be a few hidden hook worms, roundworms or other wiggly things lurking in the oral vicinity, they'll be sorted out by sucking on Strepsils. Obviously this isn't a claim that the manufacturers make!

One of the other noticeable ingredients (I'll give a full list for anoraks at the end) is Propylene Glycol. This is a derivative of natural gas and is used in industry as an engine coolant and antifreeze - yes, really! Some people claim that this stuff isn't therefore very good for us, even though it is found in shampoos, hair products, deodorants, mouthwashes and heaps of other products - as well as in sore throat lozenges.

The concerns are that, when used in industry, it has be kept off the skin as it is a strong irritant. It is also believed to cause liver abnormalities and kidney damage. Propylene Glycol is, however, deemed to be 'safe' when used correctly in domestic products. I believe it is included because, amongst other qualities, it causes substances to 'gel'. I'm not saying for one minute that this is harmful, because I just don't know, but it's worth investigating. Especially if, like me, you are becoming concerned about the chemicals and other stuff that we seem to be nonchalantly consuming and rubbing on our bodies.

Let's get back to sore throats. The majority are caused by viral (e.g. colds & flu) or bacterial (e.g. streptococcus) infections. We pick them up when they are transported on minute particles in the air or in fluids in the mouth.

Now, from what I understand, the majority of sore throats are actually because of a virus. In such cases there isn't much we (or a doctor) can do about it. The body will simply and naturally cure itself in its own good time. Antibiotics, by the way, are only suitable for bacterial infections. As I've already mentioned, Strepsils only combats bacteria - which, there is a good chance, hasn't actually caused our sore throat.. Admitedly the anaesthetic action could be of use, providing it hits the right spot.

As you may have guessed I'm none to impressed with Strepsils.

To combat a dreaded sore throat instead I'd suggest ...

(1) We should drink lots of warm liquids to keep our body fluids nicely topped up.

(2) And boo! Cut out alcohol for a while, as this irritates the throat.

(3) Refrain from using stinky deodorants, sprays and air fesheners as they will also aggravate an unhappy throat.

(4) Inhale steam from a bowl of hot water.

(5) And lastly keep on swallowing, even if a bit uncomfortable. Natural saliva will help to lubricate and sooth a sore throat.

Oh I suppose there is one more thing worth trying.

(6) You could go to bed with a good book, or someone who's read one.

There we go! Now let's double check to make sure that I haven't missed out anything about Strepsils.

Only the obvious. Stop taking them, if they should cause any allergic reactions. Consult a doctor if your symptons won't go away, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. And keep them away from children.

Regretably I couldn't recommend Strepsils to anyone else as they don't seem to have helped my sore throat at all. All together now ...

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Erm, anyone read a good book recently?

Huskily yours,
Kay

P.S. As promised:
Active ingredient 2.4mg Hexylresorcinol and also: Sucrose, Glucose, Citric Acid, Menthol, Blackcurrant Flavour, Propylene Glycol, Colours Ponceau 4R (E124), Brilliant Black (E151).