The drug, known as Fukortsin, is a local antiseptic and antifungal drug. It has a bright crimson color, for which it received its second name - “Castellani paint”.
Fukortsin solution contains several components, including phenol, boric acid, resorcinol, acetone. Fuchsin, a substance with a pronounced antifungal effect, stains it in raspberry color . Synthesized back in the middle of the 19th century and originally used only as a dye, fuchsin has been used in medicine for many decades. He owes his name to a bright color, similar to the color of fuchsia flowers. Fuchsin is poisonous and has carcinogenic properties.
Boric acid is traditionally used in medicine as a disinfectant. Locally, it is used to treat eczema, dermatitis and (sometimes) conjunctivitis. An alcohol solution is used to treat otitis media by digging it into the ear or putting a cotton swab moistened with boron alcohol in the ear canal. Widely used earlier, due to its side effects, boric acid has been less and less used in medicine in recent years. It is prohibited during pregnancy and lactation, as well as in the treatment of children.
Phenol (5% solution) is used in medicine and pharmacology as an antiseptic. This substance is extremely toxic: it causes serious dysfunctions of the central nervous system. In addition, phenol is carcinogenic, therefore, in drugs it is used in small quantities and in the lowest possible concentration. As for resorcinol, it is an effective antiseptic. In a low concentration (up to 2%), resorcinol is used as an anti-inflammatory and wound healing agent. Preparations with a higher percentage of this substance are used to cauterize the surface of the skin.
The Fukortsin solution, therefore, is quite effective, but not absolutely safe for health. It should not be used by pregnant and lactating mothers, as well as children under the age of three. Apply Fukortsin solution only pointwise, as little as possible touching healthy skin - this measure minimizes the toxic effect of the drug. However, in any case, with skin lesions of a large area, it is better to use another drug, since phenol is easily absorbed through the pores and can enter the bloodstream.
The drug "Fukortsin" is used to treat fungal and pustular skin diseases, abrasions and cracks, superficial wounds. He proved himself well with chickenpox: the bubbles filled with liquid under the action of this agent dry out very quickly. It is also known that some use the drug Fukortsin for stomatitis. Given the toxicity of this drug, such treatment can hardly be justified, although in this case, as in most others, it acts quickly and effectively. The solution "Fukortsin" is available and colorless, without fuchsin - its antifungal effect is much weaker.
Many tend to consider this drug obsolete and ineffective, along with the well-known "green" or a solution of methylene blue ("Pyoctanninum"). Indeed, the “Castellani paint” is almost never used in Europe - not least because of its toxicity.
Nevertheless, cases of poisoning with the drug "Fukortsin" are extremely rare and its only drawback, according to reviews, is its bright color: it is too noticeable on the skin. For this reason, it is better not to lubricate with a drug containing fuchsin, skin rashes before consulting a doctor - otherwise the diagnosis may be difficult. A colorless solution can be used in this case. The answer to the question of how to wash fucorcin from the skin has long been known: alcohol will best cope with this task.