| Term | Astringent |
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| Definition | (ah-strin'jent) 1. causing contraction or Arresting discharges. 2. An agent that causes contraction or arrest discharges. Astringents act as protein precipitants; they arrest discharge by causing shrinkage of tissue. some astringents, such as tannic acid, have been used in treating diarrhea; others, such as boric acid and sodium borate, help relieve the symptoms of inflammation of the mucous membranes of the throat and conjunctiva of the eye. Skin preparations such as shaving lotions often contain astringents such as aluminum acetate that help to reduce oiliness and excessive perspiration. Which hazel is a common Homeehold astringent used to reduce swelling. Styptic pencils, used to stop bleeding from small cuts, contain astringents. Zinc oxide and calamine are astringents used in lotions, and ointments to relieve itching and chafing in various forms of dermatitis. Astringents have some bacteriostatic properties, though they are not generally used as antiseptics. , |
| Category | therapeutic_action |
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