The creator of Burow's solution was Karl August Burow (1809-1874), a military surgeon and anatomist. Burow was also the inventor of some plastic surgery and wound healing techniques which are still in wide use today.[3]
Use
Otitis
Burow's solution may be used to treat various forms of ear infections, known as otitis.[4][5] As a drug it is inexpensive and non-ototoxic. In cases of otomycosis it is less effective than clotrimazole but remains an effective treatment.[6]
Skin irritation
Most versions of Burow's solution can be used as a soak or compress. As an FDA approved astringent it is used for the relief of skin irritations due to poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac, and rashes from allergic reactions to soaps, detergents, cosmetics and jewelry.[7] This is due to the combination of two active ingredients found in this version of Burow's solution, i.e. aluminum sulfate tetradecahydrate and calcium acetate monohydrate.[8][9][10]
The solution is used by some to reduce inflammation and potential infection from conditions such as ingrown nails, in a warm water soak.[11]
^Kashiwamura M, Chida E, Matsumura M, Nakamaru Y, Suda N, Terayama Y, Fukuda S (January 2004). "The efficacy of Burow's solution as an ear preparation for the treatment of chronic ear infections". Otology & Neurotology. 25 (1): 9–13. doi:10.1097/00129492-200401000-00002. PMID14724484. S2CID7562816.
^Kashiwamura, Masaaki; Chida, Eiji; Matsumura, Michiya; Nakamaru, Yuuji; Suda, Noriyuki; Terayama, Yoshihiko; Fukuda, Satoshi (Jan 2004). "The Efficacy of Burow's Solution as an Ear Preparation for the Treatment of Chronic Ear Infections". Otology & Neurotology. 25 (1): 9–13. doi:10.1097/00129492-200401000-00002. PMID14724484. S2CID7562816.
^Munguia, Raymundo; Daniel, Sam J. (April 2008). "Ototopical antifungals and otomycosis: A review". International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology. 72 (4): 453–459. doi:10.1016/j.ijporl.2007.12.005. PMID18279975.