Potassium permanganate is a strong oxidizing agent with some disinfectant properties. It has been used in a 1% to 5% solution as a drinking water disinfectant and for washing fruits and vegetables.
Potassium permanganate is an odourless dark purple or almost black crystal or granular powder in its raw state.
![](https://www.womenfitness.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/potassium-permanganate-787x525.jpg)
Bacterial inactivation can be achieved with moderate concentrations and contact times (45 minutes at 2 mg/L, 15 minutes at 8 mg/L).
What is potassium permanganate used for?
![](https://www.womenfitness.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Potassium-Permanganate1.jpg)
A weak solution applied to the affected skin is useful to help dry up wet, exudative dermatoses such as:
- Weeping eczema
- Impetiginised eczema
- Pompholyx
- Blistering skin conditions such as pemphigoid.
Permanganate solution was a traditional treatment for fungal infections, but topical azoles (e.g. clotrimazole) and allylamines (e.g. terbinafine) are more effective and cosmetically acceptable.
A 1 in 10,000 dilutions of potassium permanganate can be a cheap and effective treatment for infected eczema, impetigo, and other skin ailments.
Essential notes on preparation:
- Dilution with warm water to a final use concentration of 1 in 10,000
- Mixing should be performed with a gloved hand to help facilitate the dilution or dissolve the tablet completely before use.
- The final solution should be a light pink color.
- The solution and tablets should be stored securely out of reach of children
Ref: https://www.bad.org.uk/pils/potassium-permanganate-solution-soaks/