Formaldehyde What Drugs? Function Guide, Dosage, Side Effects, and Uses | Good Doctor

Formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable, and strong-smelling chemical.

Formaldehyde can occur naturally in nature. Formaldehyde is produced in small quantities by most living organisms as part of metabolic processes.

In addition to its benefits as a preservative, formaldehyde is also commonly used in the treatment of skin disorders.

What is formaldehyde for?

Formaldehyde or also called formalin is a drug outside the topical antiviral class. Formaldehyde or formalin is often used to treat skin diseases, especially warts.

Formalin has long been known by the public as an antibacterial and germ killer. Formalin is also used as a cosmetic preservative and nail hardener.

What are the functions and benefits of formaldehyde medicine?

Formaldehyde (formalin) functions for topical treatment due to viral infections.

This drug is often used for the treatment of skin disorders such as the following.

Verruca plantaris

Known as foot warts. Verruca plantaris usually grows on the skin under the foot (plantar side of the foot).

There are two types of plantar warts:

• Solitary warts are single warts. These often increase in size and may eventually multiply, forming additional satellite warts.
• Mosaic warts are a group of several small warts that grow close together in one area. Mosaic warts are more difficult to treat than solitary warts.

Plantar warts are caused by direct contact with a virus Human papillomas (HPVs). This virus is the same virus that causes warts on other areas of the body.

The observable symptom of plantar warts is thickened skin. Plantar warts often resemble calluses because of their tough, thick tissue.

The symptoms that arise from warts are pain when walking and standing. Pressing on the side of the wart can also cause pain.

The small black dots that often appear on the surface of the wart are actually dried blood in the capillaries (small blood vessels).

Plantar warts grow deep into the skin. Usually, these growths occur slowly from small warts and get larger over time.

Verruca palmaris et plantares

Verrucae palmares et plantares is a skin condition characterized by warts on the palms and soles of the feet.

In general, verruca palmaris almost similar to verruca plantaris. the difference, verruca palmaris can infect other parts of the body, especially the palms of the hands apart from the plantera of the feet.

Reason Verruca palmaris are the same viruses, Human Papillomavirus (HPVs). Although, usually these two skin infection disorders are often categorized as the same skin infection.

Usually, formaldehyde is also used to treat very smelly odor and sweat on the feet due to HPV infection.

Brands and prices of formaldehyde

Until now, formaldehyde does not have a trade name. Formaldehyde is marketed commercially and is better known as formalin.

Formaldehyde is marketed as an topical drug with levels of 10%, 20% and 37%.

The selling price of this drug varies. However, the average price for getting formaldehyde/formaldehyde/CH2O 37% Pro Analyst 250 mL is IDR 400,000.

How to use formaldehyde?

• The use of formaldehyde or formalin for the treatment of skin infections must be based on a doctor’s prescription.
• The use of drugs for warts is simply applied to the infected part after the skin has been cleaned.
• Do not apply formalin by hand directly. Use a basting medium such as cotton bud.
• Apply this medicine thinly on the skin affected by warts.
• Do not use formalin above the dosage set by the doctor. The use of this drug must be based on the direction of the doctor.
• Using drugs above the set dose will not speed up the healing process, but will increase the risk of possible side effects.
• Use the drug regularly every day at the same drug interval to get the expected treatment effect
• Avoid using it on the face area, especially the part near the eyes, nose and mouth.

What is the dosage of formaldehyde medicine?

The dose of using formalin for topical treatment is once a day after the infected skin is cleaned. It can also be applied after bathing.

Use of the drug in children has not yet been determined. Consult your doctor first if you want to use it.

Is the drug safe for pregnant and lactating women?

Until now, this drug is categorized as a category N drug. This means that the risks of using the drug for pregnant and lactating women are still unknown.

For both pregnant and lactating women, you should consult your doctor first if you want to use formaldehyde.

What are the possible side effects of formaldehyde drugs?

Though rare, some people may experience very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when using the drug.

Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if any of the following signs or symptoms of a side effect may occur:

• Signs of an allergic reaction (Hypersensitivity)
• Rash
• Itchy rash
• Red skin
• Swollen
• Blisters, or peeling with or without fever wheezing
• Difficulty breathing and chest tightness
• Swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue or throat.
• Very severe skin irritation.

If you encounter the side effects above after using formaldehyde (formalin), stop using it immediately.

Consult the symptoms of side effects that appear with your doctor for more information.

Warning and attention

• Keep formaldehyde away from the area around the eyes, nose and mouth
• Do not shake the formaldehyde bottle when the container is open
• If the formaldehyde comes in contact with other skin areas that should not be treated, rinse immediately with clean water
• This drug can be harmful if swallowed or inhaled because it can cause burning of the mucous membranes, irritation of the respiratory tract and eyes. If formaldehyde is swallowed, contact a doctor immediately.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. It is necessary to weigh the benefits and risks when you decide to use formaldehyde medicine
• Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding. You need to talk about the risks that might occur to the baby.
• If your symptoms or health problems do not improve immediately or even get worse, contact your doctor immediately.
• Tell your doctor if you are allergic to formaldehyde or its derivatives; or drugs, food, or other substances and the symptoms that appear.
• This drug may interact with other drugs or health problems. So, avoid using the drug together with other drugs because there are fears of drug interactions.
• The use of antimicrobial drugs with formaldehyde should not be concurrent because formaldehyde or formalin can reduce the effect of antimicrobial drugs.
• Tell your doctor about all medications (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems.
• Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine without checking with your doctor.

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