What is the function of potassium permanganate?

When we studied chemistry in junior high school, we already knew about the chemical substance potassium permanganate. Now, potassium permanganate is widely used both in medicine and in life. For example, some people use potassium permanganate to deodorize. This chemical substance also has a bactericidal effect. The following is a detailed introduction to the many uses of potassium permanganate.

First, the pharmacological effects of potassium permanganate

Potassium permanganate exhibits a bactericidal effect by oxidizing the active groups of bacteria. It can effectively kill various bacterial reproductive bodies, fungi, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It can also inactivate hepatitis B virus and spores, but it takes a longer time to act on the spores. Heating organic matter can accelerate the oxidation reaction under acidic or alkaline conditions. The oxidation reaction is different under different pH conditions. In acidic solution, it is reduced to colorless divalent manganese compound; in neutral or alkaline solution, it is reduced to brown manganese dioxide and protein complex precipitate. Low concentrations have antibacterial, astringent, hemostatic and deodorizing effects. High concentrations are irritating and corrosive. Its antibacterial effect is stronger than hydrogen peroxide. Clinically, it is mainly used for acute dermatitis or acute eczema (especially when accompanied by secondary infection), cleaning of ulcers or abscesses, gastric lavage in case of poisoning by oral morphine, opium, strychnine or organic poisons, and first aid treatment of snake bites. It is also used for disinfecting fruits, tableware, etc. Oral use: for gargling or washing of Candida albicans infection, necrotizing gingivostomatitis, periodontal disease, etc. Potassium permanganate will leave brown marks on clothes when it comes into contact with them, which can be removed by adding oxalic acid and rubbing them in water.

Accidental ingestion of potassium permanganate solution may cause a series of gastrointestinal irritation symptoms, such as burning sensation in the oropharynx, swelling, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, etc. In severe cases, difficulty in speaking, swallowing and breathing may occur, and proteinuria may also occur. The lethal dose is 10g. The solution should be freshly prepared, as it will become ineffective after a short period of time. It should not be mixed with reducing agents such as glycerol, iodine, sugar, etc. to prevent explosion. High concentrations are irritating to the skin.

A 0.1% solution is commonly used for oral administration to treat atony of the forestomach in cattle and sheep, acute gastroenteritis and diarrhea in horses and other animals. A 0.01% solution is prepared for young chicks to drink, and a 0.1% solution can be used externally to wash mucous membranes and skin wounds, ulcers, etc. 0.05% to 0.1% solution is used for gastric lavage and for poisoning by certain organic substances taken orally; 1% solution is used for flushing wounds caused by venomous snake bites. Spray the entire fish pond with 4-5 mg of potassium permanganate solution per liter of water to treat fish saprolegnia and other parasites such as protozoa and crustaceans. Bathing in 100mg concentration per liter of water for 30 minutes can treat salmon egg membrane softening disease. A 0.1% to 0.12% solution is commonly used to disinfect beehives contaminated by viruses and bacteria. Potassium permanganate and formalin can be used in combination for air fumigation and disinfection in livestock (poultry) houses, hatcheries, etc.

Second, the disinfection and sterilization effects of solutions of different concentrations:

High concentration solutions of potassium permanganate are irritating and corrosive to tissues; a 4% solution can be used to disinfect feeding troughs and other utensils. Its oxidizing properties can be used to accelerate the evaporation of formalin and can be used for air disinfection. It is a common disinfectant that is essential for households.

1. Dark purple solution (about 0.3% concentration): has strong oxidizing properties and strong bactericidal ability. Can be used to disinfect bathing utensils and spittoons.

2. Purple-red solution (about 0.05% concentration): It can relieve itching, reduce inflammation and prevent the spread of infection. It can be used for soaking tinea pedis.

3. Rose red solution (about 0.01% concentration): for disinfecting fruits, vegetables and tableware. To disinfect instruments, soak them in 1:1000 potassium permanganate powder for 15 minutes and then rinse them with running water. When fruits and vegetables are contaminated by bacteria, they can be sterilized by soaking them in a solution of this concentration for 5 minutes without changing their color and taste. In medical treatment, this concentration of solution can be used to soak mucous membranes, such as hemorrhoids. It has the effects of preventing infection, relieving itching and relieving pain.

4. Light cherry red solution (about 0.002% concentration): It can be used to gargle, prevent oral inflammation and tooth decay, has deodorizing and anti-inflammatory effects, and helps to reduce the unpleasant odor of underarm odor. It can also be used as an antidote. After drinking a solution of this concentration, press the throat with your fingers to induce vomiting, thereby spitting out the unabsorbed drugs or poisons, and allowing the drugs or poisons remaining in the stomach to be oxidized by potassium permanganate and become ineffective.

Third, gynecology:

A 0.01% aqueous solution of potassium permanganate can be used for vaginal washing; a 0.02% aqueous solution can be used for sitting baths to treat excessive leucorrhea; during the honeymoon, using a 0.05% aqueous solution to clean the vulva can prevent urinary tract infections. The incidence of hemorrhoids in women is relatively high. Soaking in a basin with 0.1% aqueous solution can relieve itching and pain, prevent infection, and promote the reduction of prolapsed hemorrhoids.

Because potassium permanganate has a bactericidal effect, many women use it to clean the perineum, and even use potassium permanganate wash to prevent sexually transmitted diseases. In fact, it does not prevent STDs.

There are two reasons why potassium permanganate does not prevent STDs. First of all, potassium permanganate solution has a very weak killing effect on viruses, molds and parasites, while the pathogens that cause sexually transmitted diseases include bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. Moreover, many pathogens not only exist on the surface of the vulva, but also lurk deep in the urogenital tract and in the folds of the vaginal mucosa. Therefore, simply cleaning the vulva with potassium permanganate cannot eliminate these pathogens, let alone prevent and treat sexually transmitted diseases.

But potassium permanganate can indeed clean the private parts. Low concentration potassium permanganate solution can flush skin wounds, ulcers, thrush, abscesses, etc. For women, potassium permanganate solutions of different concentrations can be used to clean and disinfect the genitals. In actual use, putting a few grains of potassium permanganate solution in a basin of water can clean the genitals. Men can also use potassium permanganate lotion to clean their private parts, generally with a concentration of 0.1%.

It cannot be used for some vaginitis. If women use potassium permanganate wash for a long time, it will kill a large number of vaginal bacteria that normally parasitize the vagina and help maintain the acidic environment, causing pathogenic bacteria to multiply. Don't take a sitz bath with potassium permanganate solution as soon as you find vaginal inflammation. Bacterial vaginitis and Trichomonas vaginitis can be treated with potassium permanganate aqueous solution sitz bath as an auxiliary treatment, but the use of potassium permanganate to treat fungal vaginitis not only fails to inhibit the reproduction of fungi, but sometimes even aggravates the condition. Since potassium permanganate takes effect slowly, it must be soaked for 5 minutes to kill the bacteria. It should also be noted that when preparing potassium permanganate wash solution, use cold boiled water, as hot water will cause it to decompose and become ineffective. The prepared solution can usually only be stored for about two hours, and when the solution turns brown-purple, it loses its disinfecting effect.