Antiseptic is what? What are they like?

Why use an antiseptic? 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 the field of their application. Let's start with the definition.

What is an antiseptic?

It is a remedy 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 "festering" .

Some antiseptics are germicidal and capable of destroying 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 called "antiviral drugs."

Act

In order for bacteria to grow, they need a favorable nutrient medium (temperature, oxygen, moisture). Each hostess in life faces these conditions when preserving food. Another example is the ancient practice of embalming the dead. Why do scientists find well-preserved mummies after many centuries? The answer is simple: even then antiseptics were used.

Before the concept of microbes was formed, attention was focused on preventing decay. Initially, the amount of the necessary agent was determined, as they say, "by eye". This method was inaccurate, but experience, as is known, comes with time and practice. Today, antiseptics are evaluated by their effect on the pure culture of a certain type of microbes or spore and vegetative forms. To compare the strength of action, the phenol solution (water) taken as standard is used.

So, the antiseptic is an antipersitive disinfectant. Now we will understand in which areas it is most often used.

Antiseptic in medicine

In this area, disinfection is especially important. Until the appearance of modern quality antiseptics, "mechanical cleaning" was widely used, consisting in the opening of purulent formations. By the second half of the XVIII century. Lister studied the "microbial theory of decay," written by Louis Pasteur. Inspired by the idea, he soon published a work revealing antiseptic principles in surgery.

Particular attention was paid to carbolic acid. This was a new way of treating pustules and open fractures. Its essence consisted in applying dressings with a solution of this acid. Lister became the founder of antiseptics, which helps to fight infection effectively. Moreover, a 5% solution was applied to the wounds, and seams and dressings, surgical fields, hands were treated with 2%.

Lister's antiseptic had not only supporters, but also ardent opponents. It was connected with pronounced irritating and toxic actions both on the patient's tissue and on the hands of the surgeon himself. Therefore, work in this area was intensively continued. A quarter of a century later, an aseptic method was discovered. The results of the discovery were impressive. And so much so that suggestions were made to abandon antiseptics. However, it turned out to be impossible. The work continued.

Soon new antiseptic agents, less toxic to the body, were proposed. The same substances began to process surgical instruments and surrounding objects of the patient. Thus, antiseptic and aseptic intertwined, and very tightly.

Types of antiseptics

Mechanical. It clears wounds and nonviable tissues from the microbes (rinsing of the purulent cavity, excision (processing) of the bottom of the wound and its edges).

Physical (application of dressings, 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. It has a harmful effect on microorganisms.

Biological. It is 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 body's defenses (bacteriophages, antibiotics, antitoxins (most often serums), proteolytic enzymes).

Mixed. The most common, includes several types at once (for example, the primary treatment of wound surfaces (mechanical), and the introduction of tetanus antitetanus (biological)).

The number of antiseptics today is huge. But their application is almost always complex. In other words, the statement "antiseptic is an antibiotic", in fact, is correct. However, without "additional support" in the form of treatment of wounds and disinfection of premises in today's medicine is not complete.

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 disinfecting the skin before injection and surgery. Often these alcohols are combined with tincture of iodine or with surface-active cationic substances (chlorhexidine, benzalkonium chloride, octenidine dihydrochloride).

Ammonium compounds

Another common name is HOUR. Contain a number of chemicals (benzalkonium chloride (BAC), cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (STMB), benzethonium chloride (BZT), cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC or Cetrim)). Benzalkonium chloride is added to some disinfectants. It is necessary for the treatment of the skin before the operation. Used for impregnating antiseptic towels. Antimicrobial effects of HR are inactivated by surface-active anionic substances (eg, soap).

Boric acid

It is added to suppositories intended to treat the vagina from fungal infections. Boric acid fights well with herpes-virus attacks. It is also added to the cream from burns and in solutions for lenses.

Chloreskidine 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 an antiseptic for the skin. It is used in the treatment of gingivitis.

Diamond green

The people are called "green". Very common drug. Used for the treatment of wounds, small abscesses. It has a harmful effect on gram-positive bacteria.

Hydrogen peroxide

It is an antiseptic used for deodorizing and cleaning ulcers and wounds. In everyday life, they are often treated with scratches, umbilical cord. 6% and 3% solutions are produced.

Iodine

Most often used in alcohol solutions, a solution of "Lugol". Pre- and postoperative antiseptic. To disinfect them with small wounds is not recommended, because it promotes the formation of scars. Among the main advantages is high antimicrobial activity. With prolonged exposure kills the main pathogens, including spores of complex forms of microorganisms.

Miramistin

This is a new generation drug. Medication Miramistin is an antiseptic that is used in the treatment (or prophylaxis) of fungal, viral and bacterial infections. Russian production. To treat a number of infectious (catarrhal) diseases, this antiseptic is often recommended. Reviews about it 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 the Miramistin from the place of concentration of the pathogen does not depend.

SDA

The second name is an antiseptic stimulant. It has pronounced antimicrobial and stimulating properties. Helps to increase overall tone, reduces intoxication. It is active in relation to staphylococci, tubercle bacillus, etc. It has a rather unpleasant sharp odor, therefore it is often used for veterinary purposes.

Phenol

In the form of a solution it is used for the treatment of the hands of the doctor immediately before the operation. It is recommended for rinses of a throat, a mouth. Phenol powder sprinkles the navel during healing. Has both antiseptic and analgesic effect.

Antiseptics outside medicine

They are in demand in the food industry. As a rule, these are antiseptic preservatives, most often acids (for example, all known acetic acid). It is thanks to them that it is possible to store canned products for a long time. Very actively use antiseptics in construction. They are added to most paintwork materials. This allows to neutralize the saprophytic microflora. Wood antiseptic is a powerful weapon against blue, mold, rotting, fire. In addition, it increases the shelf life of freshly cut trees.

Particularly in demand is a scattering antiseptic. 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. The soothing antiseptic reduces the harmful effects of moisture, ultraviolet rays, temperature changes, and is effective against insects. Antiseptics are used in everyday life. They are added to detergents, they process the premises.