Antiseptics and Disinfectants

What is antiseptic?

Definition of an antiseptic: It is an antimicrobial agent that stops or inhibits the action or growth of microorganisms. They are mainly used in hospitals and other medical situations to decrease the risk of infection during surgery and other wound-healing procedures.
Different types of antiseptics are used by medical professionals.
- Hand rubs,
- Hand washes, and
- Skin preparations.

They are not injected into the Human body like other drugs, rather they are applied on the surface of the skin to heal the living tissues in case of wounds and cuts.

Common types are:

Dettol and Savlon- Most commonly used antiseptic that is a mixture of chloroxylenol and terpineol. Iodoform is similarly used as an antiseptic.

Both antiseptics and disinfectants destroy microbes, and many people confuse the two. Antiseptics are also known as skin disinfectants, which adds to the confusion.
However, antiseptics and disinfectants are not the same item. Antiseptics are used on living surfaces, while disinfectants are used on non-living surfaces like countertops, Tables, handrails, and staircases.
In a clinical context, for instance, a doctor will administer an antiseptic to the surgery site on a patient’s body and sterilize the operating theatre with a disinfectant.
Biocides, which are chemical agents that destroy microbes, are found in both antiseptics and disinfectants.
Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is an case of a common component in both antiseptics and disinfectants.
Antiseptics normally contain lower concentrations of biocides than disinfectants. Anyone can use the same chemical as a disinfectant and an antiseptic by variable its concentration. For example, phenol can be used as an antiseptic if its concentration is 0.2 % but if it is used as 1% than comes as disinfectant.
Antibiotics: These are the medically proven medicine which are taken orally to prevent and fight against microbes. Where, Antiseptic and Disinfectant will not prevent the growth of microbes.

Lysol is commonly used disinfectant in home.

Types of disinfectants include:

Air disinfectants: Chemical chemicals used to kill microorganisms suspended in the air are referred to as aerosols. A disinfectant spray is another name for it.
Alcohol: Ethanol is the best example in this instance.

Others,

Aldehydes : Formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde- Mainly used for as fungicides
Oxidizing agents: Electrolyzed water or “Anolyte”, Hydrogen peroxide, Ozone, Potassium permanganate (KMnO4)
Peroxy and peroxo acids: Peroxycarboxylic acids and inorganic peroxo acids
Phenolics: Phenol, Thymol, Hexachlorophene
Quaternary ammonium compounds: benzalkonium chloride
Inorganic compounds: Chlorine, Iodine, Acid and Base.
Non-chemical : UV radiation, Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation, Heat Sterilization