A purple-coloured poisonous salt, used as a disinfectant.
A salt of potassium used for disinfecting and cleansing wounds and as a general skin ‘antiseptic. It irritates mucous membranes and is poisonous if taken into the body.
A potassium salt used as a skin antiseptic and for cleaning wounds; its astringent effect is useful in the treatment of dermatitis. It should not be taken internally because the compound is poisonous.
Crystals of dark purple prisms that are sweet and odorless. Concentrated solutions irritate and even corrode the skin and, when swallowed, induce gastroenteritis. The solutions have considerable power as disinfectants because their oxidizing ability destroys bacteria. They fail to penetrate deeply in an active form, which renders them of less value than many other disinfectants, except for use in very superficial infections.
A medication possessing both antiseptic and astringent properties, employed in the treatment of dermatitis. There are instances where potassium permanganate may lead to irritation and potential staining of the skin and clothing.