Hypochlorous Acid: A Multipurpose New Addition to the Military Med Bag?

A medical bag (med bag) in the military medical community contains medical supplies and equipment used to provide care on the battlefield or in noncombat field conditions. Though its contents are situation-dependent (eg, deployment, field exercise, physical fitness event), it generally contains items such as intravenous supplies, airway management tools, pain medications, bandages, tourniquets, splints, suture materials, and antiseptics.

Hypochlorous acid (HOCl) is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for disinfecting surfaces and wound care. In the military, long foreign deployments and training exercises can last 6 months to 1 year. Short-term field exercises and outdoor physical fitness or training events are also common. Even at a duty station, conditions in a medical facility may be austere, and access to care may be limited. Some clinics may even have limited general medical staff, without nearby military specialists to consult. In these settings, HOCl may be beneficial not only as a disinfectant for field injuries but also off-label management of skin conditions.

HOCl may be a potent addition to military medicine in various settings, especially in austere environments or during long deployments.