Search results
Potassium permanganate is an oxidising agent with disinfectant, deodorising, and astringent properties. Its chemical formula is KMnO 4. It is sometimes called by its common name, Condy's crystals. In its raw state, potassium permanganate is an odourless dark purple or almost black crystal or granular powder.
Paraphenylenediamine (PPD) is a chemical substance that is widely used as a permanent hair dye. PPD is used in hair dye because it is a permanent dye that gives a natural look, and the dyed hair can also be shampooed or permed without losing its colour. The base PPD is colourless and requires oxygen for it to become a dye, thus PPD hair dyes ...
Saline baths, dilute potassium permanganate soaks, or Burow’s solution are helpful in drying the glans in weepy exudative conditions. Many patients will try over-the-counter antifungal creams and may present with refractory balanitis if the initial cause was not fungal or yeast (Candida). Specific measures
Potassium permanganate: Use in a weak concentration (1 in 10,000 dilution) as a wet soak or in a bath. It is useful short-term to help dry weepy, exudative eczema; stop as soon as the exudation is controlled to prevent excessive drying.
An antiseptic is a chemical agent that slows or stops the growth of microorganisms on external surfaces of the body and helps to prevent infection. Antiseptics should be distinguished from antibiotics, which destroy microorganisms inside the body; and from disinfectants, which destroy microorganisms found on inanimate (non-living) objects.
Dyshidrotic eczema (pompholyx) is a chronic, recurrent condition and appears as small, deep-seated, fluid-filled blisters (vesicles) on the sides of the fingers, hands, and feet. The vesicles are small (1–2mm), often symmetrical, with no associated erythema, and they do not occur elsewhere on the body. Vesicles may coalesce into larger blisters.
Wet dressings may be required for the early vesicular phase of pompholyx, using 3% acetic acid or 1:10 000 potassium permanganate compresses. If hand dermatitis is severe and preventing function, prescribe oral corticosteroids for 2 to 4 weeks, slowly reducing the dose and discontinuing within another 4-6 weeks.
Potassium permanganate soaks — useful for drying up weepy exudative or blistering acute eczema. Paste bandages — useful to help topical steroids penetrate the skin, soothe, and reduce skin trauma from scratching. Topical steroids — generally use an ointment if the skin is dry, and a cream if it is wet and weepy.
Correct predisposing factors where possible. Keep the affected skin clean and dry. Wash daily. Take care to dry between the toes and in the skin folds; use a hair dryer if necessary. Use your own towel. Carefully clean the shower or bath using bleach. Hot wash socks, towels, bathmats at a temperature of at least 60 ° C.
The crusting should be removed by gentle soaking, perhaps using potassium permanganate (Condy's crystals) or acetic acid solution (dilute vinegar) as antiseptic astringent. A bland wound dressing is then applied. Secondary bacterial infection should be treated with oral anti-Staphylococcal antibiotics such as flucloxacillin or erythromycin.
