Burow's solution

Burow's solution is a pharmacological preparation made with aluminium acetate (usually at 13%) dissolved in water. It was invented in the mid-19th century by Karl August Burow, an ophthalmologist.

The preparation has astringent and antibacterial properties and is used to treat a number of skin conditions such as insect bites, rashes caused by poison ivy and poison sumac, swelling, allergies and bruises. Burow's solution is traditionally applied in cold compresses over the affected area. In otology, it is applied as ear drops of a 5% of aluminium acetate. Burow's solution is available over the counter as a generic preparation. Bayer also manufactures a modified form of the preparation under the commercial name Domeboro.

Burow is also famous as the inventor of a procedure that facilitates plastic surgical operations, whereby a triangle of skin is cut out which then closes up as one side is pulled upon to close a wound or skin defect distant to the Burow's triangle.

Diving
Saturation divers have reported Otitis externa during occupational exposure. Otic Domeboro was first evaluated as a preventative measure by the United States Navy Experimental Diving Unit in 1974. This has proven to be an effective method for prevention of Otitis externa in divers.