Magnesium sulfate (medical use) ionic strength prevents some of the temporary skin wrinkling (partial maceration) which is caused by prolonged immersion of extremities in pure water. Magnesium and sulfate ions are naturally present in some mineral waters. The claimed health benefits of Epsom Salt baths have not been proven. A magnesium sulphate paste is also available which is claimed to be useful for small boils or localised infections. The standard British Pharmacopoeia composition is dried Magnesium Sulfate 47.76 % w/w, Phenol 0.49 % w/w. and glycerol (E422). Magnesium sulfate has been used as an experimental treatment of Irukandji syndrome caused by envenomation by certain
Magnesium acetate LiCl, MgSO and MgCl were all compared to see what effect they had on the "Escherichia coli" enzyme Primase. The experimenters found that Mg(OAc) caused the best conformational change. MgSO and MgCl induced the effect slightly while the rest did not. When magnesium acetate is mixed with hydrogen peroxide it acts as a bactericidal. Magnesium acetate has been shown to be effective at ashing organic compounds in preparation for a fluorine analysis when high or low concentrations of fluorine are present. Magnesium acetate is a relatively safe compound to handle and has been given a health hazard rating of zero.