Antiseptics – types, application, precautions

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Antiseptics or antiseptics are skin and wound cleansers. They can kill or prevent the growth of microorganisms. They are available in various forms, ranging from traditional gels or liquids to sprays and aerosols for inhalation. While antiseptics can be very useful, there are some questions about their safety when applied topically, especially in the long term.

What are antiseptics?

Antiseptics are chemicals that slow or stop the growth of microbes on the outer surfaces of the body and help prevent infection. A distinction must be made between antiseptics and antibiotics, which destroy microorganisms inside the body, and from disinfectants, which destroy microorganisms on inanimate objects. However, antiseptics are often referred to as skin disinfectants.

Most chemicals can be used as both an antiseptic and a disinfectant. The purpose for which it is used depends on its concentration. For example, a 6% hydrogen peroxide solution is used to clean wounds, while stronger solutions (> 30%) are used industrially as a bleach and oxidizing agent.

See also: What is asepsis?

Antiseptics and disinfectants, antibacterials and antibiotics

People can use antiseptics to clean areas of broken skin, intact areas of skin, and mucous membranes. Disinfectants, antibacterials, and antibiotics all have similar but slightly different purposes. The following sections describe these differences in more detail.

Disinfectants and antiseptics

Humans use antiseptics like hydrogen peroxide to kill microorganisms on the skin and mucous membranes. While antiseptics destroy some germs on the skin, disinfectants can remove them from items.

Disinfectants and antiseptics are made of chemicals. In fact, they often have similar active ingredients. However, disinfectants tend to have higher concentrations that are not suitable for use on the skin or mucous membranes.

See also: WHO provides recipes for hand disinfectants. For use in the fight against coronavirus

Antibacterial agents and antiseptics

Antibacterials are also chemicals that people can use to clean areas of the skin. Soaps and sprays often contain antibacterial agents. Antibacterial sprays are effective in killing or slowing down the growth of bacteria. However, they do not kill viruses or prevent them from developing.

In contrast, antiseptics can kill or prevent the growth of viruses, bacteria and fungi.

See also: Antibacterial gels are disappearing from the shelves. Do they work against the coronavirus?

Antibiotics and antiseptics

Antibiotics are a type of prescription drug that can treat bacterial infections. Both antiseptics and antibiotics can treat bacterial infections. People can apply both types to the skin or mucous membranes. However, you can also take antibiotics by mouth to treat various infections inside your body.

Antiseptics – types

Antiseptics can be classified according to their chemical structure. Commonly used antiseptic groups include alcohols, quaternary ammonium compounds, chlorhexidine and other diguanides, antibacterial dyes, chlorine and hypochlorites, inorganic iodine compounds, metals, peroxides and permanganates, halogenated phenolics and quinolone derivatives. Some substances belonging to these groups are mentioned in the list below.

Types of antiseptics – alcohol

1. Ethyl alcohol 70%;
2. 70% isopropyl alcohol.

Used as a skin disinfectant.

See also: Ethyl alcohol poisoning

Types of antiseptics – quaternary ammonium compound

1. Benzalkonium chloride;
2. Cetrymid;
3. Methylbenzethonium chloride;
4. Benzethonium chloride;
5. Cetalkonium chloride;
6. Cetylpyridinium Chloride;
7. Dofan Chloride;
8. Bromec domifenu.

Used as a skin disinfectant, hydration and eye drops.

Types of antiseptics – chlorhexidine and other diguanides

1. Chlorhexidine Gluconate;
2. Chlorhexidine acetate.

Used as a pre-operative skin disinfectant, wound healing agent, and bladder irrigation.

Types of antiseptics – antibacterial dye

1. Proflavin hemi-sulfate;
2. Trifenylometan;
3. Brilliant green;
4. Crystal violet;
5. Methyl violet.

Used as a skin disinfectant and to heal wounds or burns.

Types of antiseptics – peroxide and permanganate

1. Hydrogen peroxide solution;
2. Potassium permanganate solution;
3. Benzoyl peroxide.

Used as a wound cleansing, gargle and mouth rinse, for irrigation, and as a skin disinfectant.

See also: Gargling with hydrogen peroxide – use, solution preparation and effects

Types of antiseptics – halogenated phenol derivative

1. Chlorokrezol;
2. Chloroksylenol;
3. Chlorofen;
4. Hexachlorophane / hexachlorophene (no longer available);
5. triclosan.

Used as a skin disinfectant and in soap.

See also: Why are soap and warm water effective against the coronavirus?

Types of antiseptics – quinolone derivative

1. Hydroxyquinoline Sulfate;
2. Potassium hydroxyquinoline sulfate;
3. Chlorchinaldol;
4. Dequalinium chloride;
5. Dijodohydroxychinolina.

Used in the treatment of wounds, in lozenges for the throat and as a skin disinfectant

Other antiseptics

1. Burow’s fluid (an aqueous solution of aluminum acetate);
2. Whitening baths.

Antiseptics – Applications

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Antiseptics are used for:

1. hand washing – Chlorhexidine gluconate and povidone iodine solutions are often used in hand scrubs and hand rubs in a hospital setting. Alcohol in a concentration> 60% destroys pathogens such as the SARS-CoV-19 virus.
2. pre-operative skin disinfection – antiseptics are applied at the surgical site to reduce residual skin flora. Solutions containing chlorhexidine should be used with caution on the face as they can damage the eye, causing keratitis.
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4. prevent and treat infected wounds and burns – antiseptics are available over the counter at the pharmacy to treat minor cuts, abrasions, and burns.
5. treatment of infections of the mouth and throat – dequalinium chloride has antibacterial and antifungal properties and is an active ingredient in antiseptic throat lozenges.

See also: Thorough hand washing prevents disease

Antiseptics – precautions

A strong antiseptic must be diluted before application to the skin, as concentrated products, including chlorhexidine, can cause chemical burns or severe contact dermatitis from irritation. Prolonged contact with diluted antiseptic can also cause erosive contact dermatitis as described for chlorhexidine impregnated dressings.

Antiseptics are not very useful for minor skin infections, cuts and abrasions. Wounds and abrasions are best treated by cleaning the area with warm water and covering with a clean plaster or bandage. Covering the wound prevents infection. There is no need to use an antiseptic as it can damage the skin and slow healing.

When using antiseptics to gargle your mouth or throat, it is important to spit them out – try not to swallow them after use. Some antiseptic rinses must be diluted with water before use, and others can be used undiluted. Always read the instructions on the package or consult your pharmacist on how to use an antiseptic to gargle your mouth or throat.

An antiseptic bought at a pharmacy should not be used for more than a week. Stop using an antiseptic and see your doctor if:

1. the affected area has not healed or improved;
2. there is a large wound, a deep cut, a large burn or abrasions with embedded particles that do not wash off;
3. you have injuries caused by a human or animal bite;
4. the damage is to the eye.

Don’t use antiseptics to treat sunburn or a deep skin infection. Remember that an antiseptic only reduces microorganisms on the surface of the tissue and that antibiotics will be needed to treat tissue infections.

People with any type of allergy should consult their doctor or pharmacist before using an over-the-counter antiseptic product. Some antiseptics can irritate the skin and cause allergic contact dermatitis. Chlorhexidine has been found to rarely cause anaphylaxis.

Antiseptics – the use of whitening baths

Adding household bleach (sodium hypochlorite) to a shower or tub of warm water serves as an antiseptic to reduce the number of bacteria on the skin. This can help treat eczema and prevent skin infections. This type of action is commonly referred to as bleach baths or antiseptic baths and is used no more than twice a week. If you have eczema and your doctor has recommended whitening baths, you can use them, but be sure to follow the instructions.

Bleaches have different powers. When preparing a bleach bath, it is very important that the bleach is diluted with the correct amount of water.

Household bleaches have different strengths. Here are tips on how to prepare a whitening bath (hypochlorite bath) using a sodium hypochlorite solution with a concentration of no more than 5,25% and without other additives.

1. Fill the bathtub with lukewarm water (around 37 degrees Celsius).

2. Then add 180/1 cup of bleach for a standard bathtub (approx. 2 liters) or 2 tablespoons of bleach for a baby bathtub (approx. 18 liters).

3. Now you should enter the bathtub / put the baby in and bathe / bathe the baby for no more than 5-10 minutes.

4. Then rinse yourself or your child thoroughly with tap water.

5. Next, follow the standards of AD skin care.

However, certain rules should be followed when bathing in sodium hypochlorite:

1. Consult your doctor before using a sodium hypochlorite solution for the first time.
2. Do not use too hot or too cold water (optimal water temperature is about 37 degrees Celsius).
3. Do not add any other detergents or care products to the bath.
4. Do not bathe for more than 10 minutes.
5. Do not submerge your head or face in water.
6. Do not bath in sodium hypochlorite if you or your child has open wounds.

Make sure the bleach is stored in its original container in a safe place out of the reach and sight of children.