Abstract
Potassium permanganate is a dark purple salt that is used as an antiseptic. It is well soluble in water and if it is used as a disinfectant it is necessary to prepare only very little concentrated solution and to ensure complete dissolution of the tablets/granules.
Otherwise, skin irritation occurs and it can progress to severe skin and mucous membrane burns. This case report presents a case of a three-year-old girl, whose mother, a general practitioner, recommended a local application of potassium permanganate to treat vulvovaginitis.
However, the mother was not sufficiently instructed by the doctor and instead of the diluted solution she applied a powder of potassium permanganate on external genitals of the girl. There have been burns, which fortunately did not interfere with the mucous membrane of the vagina and the urethra.
Only local treatment and increased hygiene of the external genitals was necessary and the skin healed without consequences.