Phenol is an important raw material in industrial production for the production of certain resins, spices, coatings, fungicides, preservatives, and drugs such as aspirin. It can also be used for disinfecting surgical instruments and treating excrement, skin sterilization, relieving itching, and treating otitis media. Diluted solutions of phenol can be directly used as preservatives and disinfectants, such as daily soap containing a small amount of phenol.