Mercurochrome, a medicinal compound having antiseptic qualities was widely acknowledged. Mercury and bromine combined to make this particular antiseptic, called merbromin hereafter,, an effective solution for minor wounds and cuts. In the past, mercurochrome was found in many first aid supplies and medical kits because of its anti-infective properties.
Mercurochrome was introduced in the early 1900s, also as an antiseptic. This was introduced to the medical marketplace in 1920 and became a common treatment for superficial wounds. It became regularly utilized in hospitals and houses via the Fifties, its bright purple coloration allowing it to be applied easily as well as visible at the pores of skin.
The wound care also showed success. Mercurochrome was found in a 1950s clinical study to work on minor wounds, reducing bacterial growth by around 70 percent compared with untreated lesions. This had an antibacterial action, which protected against infections and healed smaller cuts and abrasions more quickly.
Surgical use Also used in surgical settings In surgeries it was used on the both skin and surgical instruments to prevent infections. The antiseptic solution was thought to help reduce the postoperative infection rate, however it appears that this advantage is only translated in less invasive procedures.
Although widely used, mercurochrome fell under increasing scrutiny as the years went on due to fears about mercury toxicity. The threat of exposure to mercury was on the radar of scientific research and regulatory agencies by the late 20th Century. The safety of mercurochrome was called into question in the 1980s by a study reporting mercury accumulation with prolonged use.
The end result was a clear decline in the popularity of mercurochrome, and other antiseptics started to replace it. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) eventually reduced its use, while numerous countries entirely blocked it from store shelves. Nowadays, mercurochrome is not commonly used in clinical practice and it has been replaced by safer antiseptics such as alcohol-based hand rubs or iodine based solutions.
The mercurochrome site also contains a fascinating history of this preparation, its different forms and uses in medicine. It was used in some areas for wound care and antiseptic treatment, but its use worldwide has decreased due to safety reasons despite having once been of great importance.