What is antiseptic used for? This is one of those topics that require a special, careful approach. The fact is that there are many types of antiseptics. All of them should be used for their intended purpose, in a strictly defined dosage. The article presents the main types of antiseptics and their areas of application. Let's start with a definition.
What is an antiseptic?
This is an agent that destroys putrefactive bacteria and prevents decomposition. The origin of the word is Greek. In translation, "άντί" means "against", and "σηπτικός" is translated as "putrid" or "putrid".
Some antiseptics are germicidal and can kill germs, others are bacteriostatic and can only prevent or suppress their growth.
Antiseptic is a drug whose effectiveness has already been proven. Microbicides that have the ability to destroy viral particles are referred to as "antivirals".
Action
In order for bacteria to grow, they need a favorable nutrient medium (temperature, oxygen, moisture). Eachthe hostess in life encounters these conditions when canning food. Another example is the ancient practice of embalming the dead. Why do scientists find perfectly preserved mummies after many centuries? The answer is simple: antiseptics were already used then.
Before the concept of microbes was formed, attention was focused on the prevention of putrefaction. Initially, the amount of the desired agent was determined, as they say, "by eye". This method was inaccurate, but experience, as you know, comes with time and practice. Today, antiseptics are evaluated by their effect on a pure culture of a certain type of microbe or spore and vegetative forms. To compare the strength of action, a phenol solution (aqueous) taken as a standard is used.
So, an antiseptic is an antiseptic disinfectant. Now let's figure out in which areas it is most often used.
Antiseptic in medicine
In this area, disinfection is especially important. Before the advent of modern high-quality antiseptics, "mechanical cleaning" was widely used, which consisted in opening purulent formations. By the second half of the XVIII century. Lister studied the "germ theory of decay" written by Louis Pasteur. Inspired by the idea, he soon published a paper revealing antiseptic principles in surgery.
Special attention was paid to carbolic acid. It was a new way to treat pustules and open fractures. Its essence was to apply dressings with a solution of this acid. Lister became the founder of antiseptics,help fight infection effectively. Moreover, a five percent solution was applied to wounds, and suture and dressing materials, surgical fields, and hands were treated with a two percent solution.
Lister's antiseptics had not only supporters, but also ardent opponents. This was due to pronounced irritating and toxic effects both on the patient's tissues and on the hands of the surgeon himself. Therefore, work in this area continued intensively. A quarter of a century later, the aseptic method was discovered. The results of the discovery were impressive. And so much so that proposals were made to abandon antiseptics. However, this turned out to be impossible. Work continued.
Soon, new antiseptics were proposed that were less toxic to the body. The same substances began to process surgical instruments and objects surrounding the patient. Thus, antiseptic and asepsis intertwined, and very tightly.
Types of antiseptics
Mechanical. Allows you to clean wounds and non-viable tissues from microbes (washing the purulent cavity, excision (treatment) of the bottom of the wound and its edges).
Physical (bandaging, application of drying powders, laser, ultraviolet rays).
Chemical. It is very important not only in the treatment of wound infections, but also in their prevention. Detrimental to microorganisms.
Biological. Based on the use of a fairly diverse and large group of drugs that affect both the microbial cell itself and its toxins,thereby increasing the defenses of the whole organism (bacteriophages, antibiotics, antitoxins (most often these are serums), proteolytic enzymes).
Mixed. The most common, includes several types at once (for example, primary treatment of wound surfaces (mechanical), and the introduction of antitetanus serum (biological)).
The number of antiseptics today is huge. But their application is almost always complex. In other words, the statement "an antiseptic is an antibiotic" is, in fact, correct. However, today's medicine cannot do without “additional support” in the form of wound treatment and disinfection of premises.
Now consider the most common antiseptics in medicine.
Alcohols
Ethanol, isopropyl, propyl. Concentration from 60% to 90%. They are used both in pure form and in mixed form. Allow to disinfect the skin before injection and surgery. Often these alcohols are combined with iodine tincture or with cationic surfactants (chlorhexidine, benzalkonium chloride, octenidine dihydrochloride).
Ammonium compounds
Another common name is HOUR. They contain a number of chemicals (benzalkonium chloride (BAC), cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTMB), benzethonium chloride (BZT), cetylpyridine chloride (CPC or Cetrim)). Benzalkonium chloride is added to some disinfectants. Necessary for skin treatment before surgery. It is used for impregnation of antiseptic towels. Antimicrobial activity HOURinactivated by anionic surfactants (e.g. soap).
Boric acid
Added to suppositories designed to treat vaginal fungal infections. Boric acid is excellent at fighting herpes virus attacks. Also added to burn creams and lens solutions.
Chlorhexidine gluconate
This is a biguanidine derivative. The recommended concentration is from 0.5% to 4%. Can be used alone or in combination with alcohols. Used as a skin antiseptic. Used in the treatment of gingivitis.
Diamond Green
Popularly referred to as "brilliant green". A very common drug. Used to treat wounds, small abscesses. It has a detrimental effect on gram-positive bacteria.
Hydrogen peroxide
This is an antiseptic used to deodorize and clean ulcers and wounds. In everyday life, most often they are treated with scratches, the umbilical cord. Available in 6% and 3% solutions.
Iodine
Most often used in alcohol solutions, Lugol's solution. Pre- and postoperative antiseptic. It is not recommended to disinfect small wounds with it, as it contributes to the formation of scars. Among the main advantages - high antimicrobial activity. Long-term exposure kills major pathogens, including complex spores.
Means "Miramistin"
This is a new generation drug. Medication "Miramistin" -it is an antiseptic that is used in the treatment (or prevention) of fungal, viral and bacterial infections. Russian production. For the treatment of a number of infectious (cold) diseases, this particular antiseptic is often recommended. Reviews about him are mostly very positive. The drug is active against a wide range of microbes that cause inflammation and suppuration of wounds, tonsillitis, fungal diseases, chlamydia, herpes, etc. The activity of Miramistin does not depend on the location of the pathogen.
ASD
The second name is an antiseptic stimulant. It has pronounced antimicrobial and stimulating properties. Helps to increase the overall tone, reduces intoxication. It is active against staphylococci, tubercle bacillus, etc. It has a rather unpleasant pungent odor, therefore it is more often used for veterinary purposes.
Phenol
In the form of a solution, it is used to treat the doctor's hands immediately before the operation. Recommended for gargling, mouth. Phenol powder is sprinkled on the navel during healing. It has both antiseptic and analgesic effect.
Antiseptics outside medicine
They are in demand in the food industry. As a rule, these are preservative antiseptics, most often acids (for example, the well-known acetic acid). It is thanks to them that it is possible to store canned food for a long time. Antiseptics are widely used in construction. They are added to most paints and varnishes. This allowsneutralize saprophytic microflora. Wood antiseptic is a powerful weapon against blue, mold, rot, fire. In addition, it increases the shelf life of freshly cut trees.
The glazing antiseptic is especially in demand. What it is? This is the name of the drug that allows you to preserve the texture of wood and at the same time emphasizes its beauty. Glazing antiseptic reduces the harmful effects of moisture, ultraviolet rays, temperature changes, and is effective against insects. Antiseptics are also used in everyday life. They are added to detergents, rooms are treated with them.
