ANTISEPTIC

AND
DISINFECTANT
What is disinfectant?
A disinfectant can be defined as an antimicrobial agent that can be applied on the
surface of some objects in order to destroy the microorganisms residing on it.
What is an Antiseptic?
Antiseptics can be defined as antimicrobial agents which can be applied on the
body of living organisms to inhibit the action of microbes. They are not injected
into the body like the antibiotics, rather they are applied on the surface of the skin
to heal the living tissues in case of wounds and cuts.
Commonly used antiseptics :

Water:
Best antiseptic , solvent and clinzing agent.it is consider best in killing of germs from
human being. It is also consider best to prevent complication of injury or
contamination.
Uses:
• Used as a rinse
• Used as a bath
• Used as a douches
• Used as an irigent
• Used as a sorubing agent
 Iodine compound:
Active ingredients:
Tinctures of iodine 2 to 7%
• Povidone iodine are the most effective antiseptic available. Active against
bacteria, fungus, yeast, spores , parasite, protozoa.
• Also have anti cancerous effect
• Tincture is a very good agent but dries to skin and irritating when applied to
open wound or open sores.
• Povidone does not irritate the skin. It is the most effective antiseptic available
• Safely if widely used.
Indication of iodine
compound:

◦ 6 to 8 % chances of allergy to iodine

are there can be observed from larger
surface area so should be used
carefully specification in children
◦ May interfere with thyroid function
◦ Used carefully during pregnancy and
lactation.
Lavasept:

◦ Lavasept is made up of Poly hexamethyl- biguanide. This is an

European antiseptic equaling to povidone iodine.
◦ Binds to tissue making it longer lasting.
◦ 0.02 % solution used in eye surgery.
Alcohols:
◦ Isopropyl alcohol and ethanol are most commonly used 70% solution is much more
effective.
◦ Kill microorganism very rapidly
◦ They do not destroy most viruses and endospores.
◦ Excellent solvent
◦ Used as a vehicle with chemicals for antiseptic
◦ When applied to open wounds they seem to be painful.
◦ Bottled alcoholic drinks can be used for emergency
Vinegar:

◦ Vinegar is an excellent clinsic agent for both living tissue and non-living
substances.
◦ Good antiseptic
◦ Slow in action
◦ May healing qualities 1 % solution is effective on surgical dressing to prevent
infection.
◦ 0.25% solution for catheterization and irrigation of urinary bladder
• 0.25 % to 1 % solution are
effective for vaginal infection
with candida
and trichomonas infection.
• Also used as spermicidal
agent
Hydrogen peroxide:
3 to 6 % solution of hydrogen
peroxide is a good clinsic agent.
Not effective in killing infectious
agent.
Boric acid:

•Boric acid is found naturally in California desert mild acedic antiseptic, antifungal,
antiviral.
•2 % solution is safe and effective agent.
•Used as a mucus membrane
•Used as eye wash
•Used as vaginal suppositories
•Used in douches for chronic yeast infection.
Insecticidal:

• Kill all insect and termites, cockroaches, silver fish, water bugs,
crickets, slugs, bed bugs and fleas etc.
• Insect is excellent for fire retardant.
• As a wood preservative.
Cresol:
• Cresylic acid is germicides, fungicides, virucides

• Effective in killing fungus, viruses and germs

• Dilute solution is used in hot soaks in dirty

wounds.

• 2 % solution used to disinfect non-living object.

 Silver
compound:
•0.25 % to 0.5 % silver nitrate solution is
used not strong as mercuric chloride but is
still very effective and safe for use for
delicate tissue of eyes and throat.

•Stainses bedding

•Absorbed from large surface area or burns

•5 % silver Sulpha diazene.

•Effective against wounds or burnt skin.

Antibiotic ointment:
Neomycin, bacitracin, Polys porin
are used for keeping wounds free
of infection and drying out.
Bleach:
Sodium hypochlorite used in

•Pools and spas

•Sauna
•Steam bath
What is bleach?
Bleach is an oxidizing agent that inhibit infectious agent but not
potent enough to kill them.
3 to 6 % household bleach solution of sodium hypochlorite is
used to 2 to 4 drops per litre of water are to be added.
Chlorhexidine:
•Less toxic derivative of phenol

•Used as aqueous or isopropanol solution

•Effective against gram positive bacteria

•Good margin of safety

•Used as a body washes

•Applied to mucus membrane e.g mouth

washes
Benzalkonium chloride:
•Quaternary ammonium or chloride compound

•Used as disinfectant
0.1 to 0.2 % solution of benzalkonium chloride is
used for scrubbing of hands and paste

•Low concentration of the solution is used as a

preservative.
Hexachlorophene:

hexachlorophene which is bacteriostatic and is used as a hand disinfectant in

some clinical settings Chlorohexidine uses fast acting antiseptic that acts on gram
positive and negative bacteria and is used for central lines and dressing changes
(can also be a mouth rinse).