Potassium permanganate

Dr Christophe HSU – dermatologist. Geneva, Switzerland

Potassium Permanganate is a skin disinfectant and cleansing agent. It is used for soothing eczema (skin rash) and for drying wet wounds. Dissolve a few crystals in a container of water. Dilute it to a light purple colour solution.

Then use this solution as follows:

• Bath: Fill a tubful with the solution and use for bathing
• Compress: Moisten strips of cotton or gauze in the solution. Wrap the strips around the affected areas. Keep the strips in place for 20 to 30 minutes. If they dry out, add more solution.

Soak: Fill a bathtub or a basin with enough solution to immerse the affected areas. Soak for about 20 to 30 minutes.