Antiseptics

An antiseptic is a medicine that is used to prevent and treat infectious diseases. They kill bacteria, viruses and fungi that cause infections in the body. Antiseptics are used to treat wounds, burns, urinary tract infections, pneumonia and other diseases.

There are several types of antiseptics, each of which has its own characteristics and uses. For example, alcohol-based antiseptics such as iodine, chlorhexidine, and brilliant green are used to treat wounds and scrapes. Phenols such as carbolic acid are used to disinfect instruments in medicine.

Antiseptics can be in the form of solutions, ointments, creams, gels and sprays. They can be used both externally and internally. It is important to remember that antiseptics do not cure the infection, but only prevent its spread. Therefore, if you have symptoms of infection, you should see your doctor to get the right treatment.

An antiseptic is a product that is intended to destroy or suppress microorganisms on the surface of the skin and mucous membranes. It is clear that the antiseptic does not destroy viruses, because its structure is changed due to the action of the components of the drug; they are able to stop the growth and reproduction of pathogens, including viruses. But microbes continue to release toxins that destroy living human cells and tissues. Therefore, antiseptics in combination with antiviral agents make treatment more effective. It is important to remember that respiratory infection viruses are especially sensitive to ethyl alcohol, a substance found in most alcohol-based antiseptics. This well-studied phenomenon was discovered back in the 70s of the last century. An antiseptic drug is used to treat the skin of the hands to reduce the risk of transmission of infectious diseases transmitted from person to person (for example, when visiting a doctor, food industry) (1,2). Recommendations for the use of this medicine vary depending on the country. Some jurisdictions say it is unsafe to apply a topical spray or gel antiseptic to your hands before eating (3), while others say it is okay to apply hand sanitizer after brushing your teeth to protect against colds. For example, the use of antiseptics before meals is approved in the UK and USA (4,5), although there is no such recommendation in Canada (6).