ALUMINUM CHLORIDE AND ITS PROPERTIES

The astringent substance most commonly used in dermatology is aluminum chloride hexahydrate (in the formula AlCl3·6H2O).

In medicine, an astringent is a substance that reduces secretions in inflammatory conditions of the skin or mucous membranes.
In reality, the astringent action on the skin is quite complex.
A skin astringent can be defined as a substance that:

• absorbs the skin’s water and dries it out
• absorbs exudates and dries vesicles or blisters
• provokes the constriction of the cutaneous blood vessels, causing the skin to pale
• it causes blood proteins to precipitate, leading to coagulation
• it causes the proteins in the glandular ducts to clump together, blocking sweating
• it causes the proteins of the microorganisms to precipitate, performing an antiseptic action
• it causes insect toxins to precipitate, neutralizing their effect

Aluminum Chloride gel has multiple applications in Dermatology:

• It acts as a powerful antiseptic, capable of controlling skin infections and unpleasant odors caused by bacterial growth.
• It is able to absorb the exudates in the vesicles of Herpes Simplex, Zoster, and Chickenpox, promoting rapid healing of these viral infections.
• It causes the proteins in the sweat ducts to precipitate, thus exerting an antiperspirant and anti-maceration effect.
• It causes blood proteins to precipitate, leading to the immediate coagulation of small blood vessels. This action is useful for shaving or treating minor wounds.
• It inactivates the toxins of various insects, blocking the inflammation and itching caused by mosquito, midge, sandfly, horsefly, and jellyfish stings.

• Antiperspirant for feet/armpits
• Deodorant for feet/armpits
• Anti-itch for mosquito bites
• Coagulant/astringent after razor shaving
• Jellyfish venom neutralizer
• Absorption/drying of vesicles from Herpes Simplex, Chickenpox, and Herpes Zoster
• Counteracting action against Impetigo
• Counteracting action in reactive granuloma of ingrown toenail