What harm does boric acid do to the human body

Boric acid is often used as a topical medication. It can have a certain therapeutic effect on some erosive dermatitis and can achieve the effects of anti-inflammatory, detumescence and sterilization. However, it should be remembered that boric acid is an external medicine and cannot be taken orally. If taken by mistake, it can easily lead to poisoning and even pose a threat to life safety. Therefore, when using boric acid to treat diseases, you must be careful to avoid harm to your health.

What are the hazards of boric acid to the human body?

Boric acid powder is for external use only and should not be taken orally.

Function and Use: Disinfectant and preservative, weak antibacterial effect, non-irritating. Used for disinfection of skin, mucous membranes and wounds, and is also commonly used in the treatment of infant eczema. Usage and Dosage: Dissolve in warm water to a 3% concentration, use externally to wash wounds and mucous membranes, or apply warm compresses, 1-2 times a day. When treating infant eczema, apply cold compress of 2% to 3% boric acid water to the affected area 1 to 2 times a day.

Note: Continuous application to large open wounds (such as burns) and eczema will easily be absorbed by the body and continuous use may cause cumulative poisoning.

Characteristics

White powdery crystals or triclinic scaly crystals with lustrous surfaces. It has a smooth feel and no odor. Soluble in water, alcohol, glycerin, ether and essential oils. Odorless. The taste is slightly sour and bitter followed by sweetness. It feels slippery when in contact with skin. No change when exposed to air. Can evaporate with water vapor. When heated to 100-105°C, it loses a molecule of water to form metaboric acid. When heated for a long time at 104-160°C, it turns into pyroboric acid. At higher temperatures, it forms anhydrous substances.

The pH of 0.1 mol/L aqueous solution is 5.1. 1g can be dissolved in 18ml cold water, 4ml boiling water, 18ml cold ethanol, 6ml boiling ethanol and 4ml glycerol. The solubility in water can be increased with the addition of hydrochloric acid, citric acid and tartaric acid. Relative density: 1.4347. Melting point 184°C (decomposition). Boiling point 300℃. Median lethal dose (rat, oral) 5.14G/kG. Irritating. Toxic, can cause death if taken orally, the minimum lethal dose is: 640 mg/kg for adults, 8.6 g/kg for skin administration, 29 mg/kg for intravenous administration; 200 mg/kg for infants. The maximum allowable concentration in the air is 10mg/m3