What Can Boric Acid Be Used For?

Discussion Boron is possibly an essential trace element for humans and is found in water and plants. Common sources are apples, beans (cooked and dried), coffee, fruits, milk, and potatoes. Borates are used as cleaning agents, fertilizers, greasing agents, food preservatives, in fiberglass production, as an insecticide, and even to help prevent wet and dry rot in wood. They can be used to acidify or thicken fluids. Toxic borate exposure can occur through inhalation, or oral and dermal routes with non-intact skin being a bigger problem. Borate toxicity can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, emesis, fever, irritability, seizures, and death. Borates can cause skin irritation and there can be some reproductive changes as well. Learning Point Boric acid is used as an antiseptic on the skin, and in mucous membranes including very dilute solutions for eyes, mouth and for bacterial vaginosis. It is also used in ear infections often in addition to antibiotics to help change the pH and also act as a local drying agent in addition to its antiseptic qualities. The most recent (2020) Cochrane Collaboration review states, “[t]reatment of [chronic suppurative otitis media] with topical antibiotics (quinolones) probably results in an increase in resolution of ear discharge compared with boric acid at up to two weeks.” They also reviewed other topical antiseptics such as acetic acid, povidone-iodine and aluminum acetate (Burow’s solution) but it was “…not possible t...
Source: PediatricEducation.org - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Uncategorized Source Type: news