The Side Effects Of Using Dettol Liquid Antiseptic

Dettol

Dettol is a liquid antiseptic substance commonly used within several households as a disinfectant for killing bacteria. It is an antiseptic solution that helps kill gems which can cause infection and illness.

It is used for cleaning surgical instruments and also for cleaning wounds caused by bites, cuts, grazes, insect stings, etc.

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Laboratory testing shows that specific Dettol products are effective in preventing the deadly Covid-19 virus (SARS-CoV-2) if used following the right directives.

Dettol composition and active ingredients

A liquid Dettol contains 4.8% of chloroxylenol, pine oil, isopropyl alcohol, castor oil, and caustic soda solution.

Uses of Dettol

As antiseptic
For disinfecting surgical instruments
For wound cleansing/first aid
Treating dandruff
Use for clearing skin spots and pimples
Personal hygiene
For disinfecting and cleaning floors
For laundry use such as for sanitizing napkins, clothes, and underwear.

How to use Dettol liquid

For personal hygiene; it is medically advised to apply or use two teaspoons (10ml) of Dettol for a liter of water.

Wound cleansing; to clean your wound wash the affected area with two and half teaspoon (12.5ml) of Dettol diluted with ¼ liter of water and cover with lint.

Dandruff; take one tablespoon of Dettol and pour into a half liter of warm water. Apply this over the scalp and leave it for about 10mins before using shampoo to wash your hair.

Spots and pimples; take one tablespoon (15ml) of Dettol and pour into a ¼ liter of warm water and wash with the affected area daily.

The Side effects of Dettol

Below are some of the possible side effects that may result from using Dettol which could be as a result of the constituting ingredients of this liquid.

These side effects do occur but not in all cases. Some of the effects may be rare but can be very serious. It is always advisable to follow the necessary prescription for application to avert effect in most cases.

Some of the side effect of using Dettol include;

Skin reactions e.g. contact dermatitis
Skin irritation
Shortness of breath
Swelling of face, hands, and legs.

Ensure to contact your doctor or nurse if you observe any of these side effects or any other ones not listed here after using Dettol.

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What happens if ingested?

It is not advisable to drink Dettol and that is why you must keep it away from the reach of children.

Ingestion of Dettol, a household disinfectant can lead to central nervous system depression, corrosion of the larynx, oral mucosa, and gastrointestinal tract.

Another critical risk associated with Dettol if ingested is pulmonary aspiration, leading to pneumonia, cardiorespiratory arrest, and adult respiratory distress syndrome.

A medical study carried out in Hong Kong using 177 cases of victims of Dettol ingestion shows that about 95% were immediately taken for emergency treatment in the hospital with 7% of victims having serious complications including death.

Some precautions on the use of Dettol

You should inform your medical personnel about your present medication or situation, allergies, pre-existing diseases, and current health conditions such as an upcoming surgery and pregnancy.

This is because some health conditions can make you more susceptible to the side effects of Dettol.

However, some precautionary measures can help you avert some of these side effects. They include;

For external use only
Dilute before use
For wounds, cover with lint or bandage after application
Do not use it on your eyes

The overdose of Dettol usage

It is medically advised not to use more than the prescribed dose of Dettol as this will not improve your health but rather cause more serious side effects.

If taken or used overdose, please do well to report to the closest hospital for possible diagnosis or treatment.

The Use of Expired Dettol

Always ensure to check your Dettol expired date before purchase as taking a single dose of expired Dettol liquid can result in a serious adverse effect.

To be safe it is important to desist from the use of expired drugs or antiseptic like Dettol.