Burns of skin and mucous membranes from manganese

Potassium permanganate is often used as a convenient and simple disinfectant. The solution of this powder has excellent antiseptic and deodorizing properties, which allows it to be used to treat certain skin or internal organ diseases, as well as injuries. But it should be remembered that improper use of the drug can cause a burn from potassium permanganate.

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Causes of a manganese burn

Causes of burns include: using a too concentrated solution to treat the skin, and also accidentally swallowing the solution (most often occurs in children). In this case, a chemical burn of the esophagus and its mucous membranes, as well as the stomach, is possible; potassium permanganate can cause severe food poisoning.

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Pathogenesis

Of great importance in the pathogenesis of acute potassium permanganate burns is the cauterizing effect of this substance on the mucous membranes, which manifests itself when rinsing or douching with a strong solution or as a result of internal use. The cauterizing effect causes dyspepsia, and in addition, it can lead to the development of a state of shock or mechanical asphyxia due to laryngeal edema. After absorption through the mucous membranes, potassium permanganate has a toxic effect on the functioning of the central nervous system, kidneys and liver, as well as the uterus (its contractile function is enhanced) and the respiratory functions of the blood (the conversion of hemoglobin to methemoglobin).

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Symptoms of a manganese burn

The first signs of a burn of the digestive tract appear immediately after potassium permanganate enters the body. The following symptoms are distinguished:

• Sharp pain and a burning sensation in the chest;
• As a result of swelling of the larynx, suffocation begins, and the person does not have enough air;
• Traces of tissue necrosis and burns appear in the oral cavity and on the lips;
• Due to spasm of the respiratory tract and pharynx, the patient has difficulty swallowing;
• Increased salivation;
• Vomiting begins, often with blood in it. This is how the body rejects the chemical components that have entered.

If potassium permanganate crystals get into the eyes and penetrate the conjunctival sac, they cause a burn of the cornea and conjunctiva. Symptoms include severe lacrimation, pain, and photophobia. Externally, the conjunctiva becomes dark brown, rough, and also begins to swell. The cornea acquires the same color, and its shine decreases. Vision also declines.

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Burn from potassium permanganate in a child or newborn

If a child has chickenpox, they are bathed in a bath filled with a weak solution of manganese from the first day. In addition, newborns whose navel has not yet healed are washed in a similar way (using a light pink solution). But in this case, a more saturated solution should be used to treat the navel - a bright pink one.

In general, doctors do not recommend using this solution for bathing children, since in safe concentrations it is useless as a disinfectant, and the concentration required to achieve this effect is fraught with the risk of getting a burn.

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Burn from potassium permanganate on the vaginal mucosa

Douching with an excessively concentrated solution of manganese can cause very serious burns of the mucous membrane, which in the future will be assessed by doctors as foci of erosion development. In some cases, as a result of such a procedure, patients developed vaginitis.

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Complications and consequences

Among the complications and consequences of a burn of the esophagus with potassium permanganate: nausea with vomiting, cough, diarrhea with blood, and later the appearance of signs of hemorrhagic colitis. Since the mucous membrane of the larynx begins to swell, suffocation and asphyxia with blue skin may occur. After potassium permanganate is absorbed into the mucous membranes, motor excitation occurs, as well as phenomena characteristic of Parkinsonism. With the development of methemoglobinemia, cyanosis begins along with shortness of breath.

If the poisoning continues to progress, symptoms such as burn shock begin to appear, as well as acute renal or hepatic failure (Gospel's disease, toxic hepatitis, hematuria, and anuria), a collapse or convulsive reaction, and bronchopneumonia. A pregnant woman may have a miscarriage.

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Diagnostics of a manganese burn

A burn from potassium permanganate is diagnosed by the presence of characteristic signs: sore throat when swallowing, increased salivation, vomiting, which may contain blood streaks or clots, pain "under the spoon", bloody diarrhea. Point burns from potassium permanganate lenses are noticeable on the skin - neck, face, chest, arms. The mucous membranes acquire a brownish-violet hue, bleeding erosions appear on them.

In case of severe burns, laryngeal edema is diagnosed, due to which the vocal lumen narrows sharply, causing asphyxia (in this case, immediate tracheotomy is necessary). The appearance of convulsions along with motor excitation is a sign of damage to the brain by toxins. Blood analysis shows an increase in the level of methemoglobin.

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Treatment of a manganese burn

To treat a burn of the esophagus with potassium permanganate, you need to wash out the stomach (at the same time, you need to gargle your throat and mouth) with 2 liters of water, which contains a 3% solution of H2O2 (100 g), as well as a 3% solution of ethanoic acid (200 g). The peroxide together with the acid act as a reducing agent, thereby acting as an antidote to potassium permanganate and preventing the appearance of caustic alkali along with atomic oxygen.

This procedure should be repeated until the rinsing water is completely discolored. The mucous membranes of the oral cavity, as well as the tongue and gums, should be additionally wiped with a napkin, which is pre-moistened in the same solutions (proportions 1 to 1). Along with this, the patient should drink a 5% solution of sodium thiosulfate (1-2 glasses in the first 30 minutes). You can also wash the stomach with warm water, to which activated carbon is added (10-15 g per 1 liter of liquid), and a 1% solution of sodium thiosulfate. After completing the rinsing procedures, you need to take castor oil, which acts as a laxative.

In case of eye burns, 1 ml of 5% vitamin C solution should be injected under the conjunctiva, and sulfanilamide or antibiotic ointment should be placed behind the eyelids. Further in the treatment process, eye drops should be instilled using corticosteroids, as well as antibacterial drops.

What to do in case of a burn from potassium permanganate?

In case of a potassium permanganate burn, the damaged area should be cooled with cold running water or covered with snow/ice. Cooling helps relieve acute pain. If the burn is of the 1st degree, the pain will disappear after cooling, and the burn will only be reminded of by peeling skin at the site of the lesion. In case of a severe burn, cooling, in addition to relieving pain, will help prevent plasma exudation, due to which large blisters will not appear on the skin.

In case of an eye burn, it is necessary to carefully and gently remove manganese crystals from the conjunctival sac. To do this, it is necessary to wash the eyes with a 5% tannin solution (if you do not have it, use strong tea).

Medicines

In case of food burns, to reduce pain, patients are prescribed narcotic painkillers, as well as a liquid (for drinking), which contains a 0.5% novocaine solution. To prevent the risk of bleeding, patients take calcium medications, as well as vikasol. If the patient has methemoglobinemia, he is administered a solution of methylene blue.

If a state of shock is observed, plasma, blood, and their substitutes are transfused. In addition, the patient is given hydrocortisone acetate and vasoconstrictors (methasone and norepinephrine hydro-tartrate).

To prevent the development of renal failure, a bilateral paranephric novocaine block is performed. Short-acting barbiturates (such as hexenal or sodium thiopental) are used to eliminate convulsions.

Vitamins

During the treatment, intensive vitamin therapy is performed: vitamin B1 (2.5% solution, dose 1 ml 2.5% intramuscularly), vitamin B12 (dosage up to 1000 mcg/day), vitamin B6 (5% solution, dose 3 ml intramuscularly), vitamin C (40% glucose solution (500 mg with 20 ml) intravenously), vitamin A (daily dosage 50-100 thousand IU intramuscularly).

Folk remedies

The affected area should be lubricated with any oil (sea buckthorn, vegetable, etc. will do). In addition, you can use the yolk or white of a chicken egg as an ointment. Also, grated raw potatoes (1 pc.) are placed on the burn, and in some cases, soda is sprinkled on top.

To relieve pain, you can use glycerin, which is applied to the burnt area. Sometimes sauerkraut is applied to the skin, which should be replaced frequently.

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Prevention

Preventive measures when bathing a child in a solution of potassium permanganate:

• The substance must be freshly prepared and also carefully filtered. You need to dilute the powder in a small amount of liquid so that it acquires a raspberry hue, and then strain it well. The resulting mixture should be added to a bath of water until it acquires a pale pink hue;
• It is strictly forbidden to pour crystals of potassium permanganate into the bath, as this can cause severe burns if the skin comes into contact with the undissolved substance.

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Forecast

A burn from potassium permanganate on the skin is not considered fatal, but if you get one, you should still consult a doctor, without relying only on folk remedies. In the case of an esophagus burn, the prognosis may be unfavorable, so if you (or your child) accidentally swallowed potassium permanganate crystals or drank its highly concentrated solution, you should immediately call an ambulance to avoid serious consequences.