Possible Dangerous Combination of First-Aid Substances

[Amiga]

This morning, as I was treating my own leg for a bite (I think it's a spider bite - and don't worry, I have seen the doctor), I had a couple of thoughts.

First, I thought about how Vetericyn is an antimicrobial. I have read that it contains bleach (sodium hypochlorite). Probably thought of that because I keep it in the medicine chest.

Then I thought about how clear iodine contains ammonia.

Then I remembered how bad it is to combine bleach and ammonia - I have read that it produces a potentially deadly gas, sometimes called mustard gas.

With the tiny amounts we may use treating our ducks with these products, I don't know how worrisome this is, but I wanted to share these thoughts - sometimes different compounds do combine into something else, that is not helpful.

So the point I am making is that I would not put both Vetericyn and clear iodine on a wound at the same time. I think it could be trouble.

 

[Tivona]

Excellent point. Its easy to miss on something like what you listed. When it goes by another name and has bleach or something that reacts in it, it makes it easy to make a mistake combining it with something it shouldn't be mixed with. Another bad combo is hydrogen peroxide and vinegar which make Parecetic Acid. Very effective and powerful disinfectant but dangerous as well. Don't want to breathe the vapors or get it on you. Also Bleach and rubbing alcohol mixed make a number of different compounds including Chloroform. Probably should avoid that one as well. Pretty much anything and bleach go into the don't mix category it seems unless its water...

 

[Amiga]

Thanks for the additional insight, Tivona. I realize there are things that don't mix well, but I had not thought much before about how we don't always know exactly what is in some of the products we use. For example, I have heard of people getting in trouble mixing window cleaning products that contain ammonia, with bleach.

I hope folks read these brief comments and remember to think twice before using two different products to treat wounds.