Activated charcoal and baking soda to reduce odor associated with extensive blistering disorders

• Published in: Indian journal of dermatology, venereology, and leprology venereology, and leprology, 2008-03, Vol.74 (2), p.122-124
• Main Authors: Chakravarthi, Arun, Srinivas, C.R, Mathew, Anil C
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Amnion - drug effects; Biological and medical sciences; Blister - complications; Blister - drug therapy; Bullous diseases of the skin; Carbon, Activated; Charcoal - administration & dosage; Chemicals; Containers; Control; Dermatology; Dosage and administration; Drug Therapy, Combination; Humans; Hydrogen sulfide; Medical sciences; Nursing; Odor, Activated charcoal, Soda bicarbonate; Odorants - prevention & control; Odors; Sodium bicarbonate; Sodium Bicarbonate - administration & dosage
• ISSN: 0378-6323; 0973-3922; 1998-3611
• DOI: 10.4103/0378-6323.39694

Background: Skin disease leading to extensive blistering and loss of skin is associated with a characteristic smell. Odor can cause physiologic disturbances such as increase in heart rate and respiratory rate. It can also cause nausea and vomiting and is disturbing to bystanders. Aims: To test odor reducing capability of activated charcoal. Methods: In this blinded experimental study we used putrefied amniotic membrane to produce odor and studied the effectiveness of activated charcoal and soda-bi-carbonate to reduce odor. Results: Statistical analysis with Kruskal Wall′s Chi Square Test and Man Whitney U test showed significant reduction of odor using activated charcoal by itself or along with soda-bi-carbonate. Conclusion: We recommend the usage of activated charcoal with/without soda bicarbonate as an inexpensive practical measure to reduce foul odor associated with extensive skin loss.