what is the medical importance of phenol?

Answer 1

multiple- includes:
1) mild anesthetic- in sore throat spray (example= chloraseptic)
2) antiseptic- so used as a preservative occasionally
3) exfoliates- used in plastic surgery to help remove layers of dead skin & can also be used for ingrown nails
(by the way, 100% phenol can pretty much melt ur skin off! toxic! ..so when we use it medically, it's in small amounts)

Answer 2

Phenol is important in the synthesis of many drugs,it is the simplest member of a class of hydroxy benzene derivatives, all of which contain a hydroxyl group attached to a benzene ring; these compounds may be thought of as derivatives of phenol and generically are called phenols.