Potassium permanganate has not been used to treat infections for more than 80 years. This chemical is neither a drug nor a supplement. It is a strong oxidizer; this means that it is very reactive, taking electrons from other chemicals. If you suspect you have an infection, you should contact your doctor as soon as possible to prevent the infection from getting worse. Experimenting with potassium permanganate is likely to cause serious injury.
STDs
A 1920 issue of the "Journal of the American Medican Association" reported on the use of potassium permanganate to treat gonorrhea in men. Even in 1920, the limitations of this treatment were known, as the author points out that while local irrigation with potassium permanganate solutions minimized the discharge associated with this disease, it did not attack the bacteria deeper in the body. Antibiotics proved to be a more effective treatment.
Safety Concerns
Potassium permanganate is a caustic substance that irritates skin, respiratory and mucus membranes. It can cause blindness if it gets in the eyes. People who handle potassium permanganate professionally wear respirators, safety goggles, gloves and synthetic aprons to prevent injury. Extra caution is required because this substance causes exothermic reactions very easily. Exothermic reactions produce heat and energy.
Water Treatment
Japan, Western Europe and the United States use potassium permanganate to treat drinking water. In addition to effectively removing iron and manganese from the water, it also oxidizes organic compounds such as olefins. Plants that produce waste water also use potassium permanganate to oxidize harmful chemicals found in the waste stream before disposing of the water.
Snail Abatement
Forums for aquarium hobbyists periodically remark on the effectiveness of potassium permanganate in removing unwanted snails from fish tanks. This solution is unlikely to be effective in large-scale facilities such as hatcheries and fish farms. According to the 2010 "North American Journal of Aquaculture," the amount of potassium permanganate needed to wipe out an infestation of snails was dangerous for the fish population.
References
- "Journal of the American Medical Association"; Treatment of Gonorrhea of the Male Urethra; Edward L. Keyes; November 1920
- ScienceLab.com: Potassium Permanganate - Material Science Data Sheet
- Aquatic Plant Central; Potassium Permanganate Forum Entry; December 2007
- "North American Journal of Aquaculture"; Effect of Potassium Permanganate Treatments on New Zealand Mud Snail Behavior and Survival and Rainbow Trout Growth and Condition; R.W. Oplinger, et al.; 2010
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