Antiseptics are chemicals that can inhibit or slow the growth of germs. Antiseptic products are often used when injuries occur, or before starting certain medical procedures with the aim of preventing infection.
Many pharmaceutical companies claim their products contain safe antiseptics. Correct use is indeed safe and effective to reduce the number of bacteria on the skin of someone who will undergo surgery or get an injection. However, note also that the use of antiseptics that have been contaminated with germs can still cause infection.
Purpose of Antiseptic Use
Antiseptics have long been used to prevent or treat infections in wounds. The compounds classified as antiseptic are povidone iodine, chlorhexidine, hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, acetic acid, and silver compounds. Unlike antibiotics that are specifically against certain organisms, antiseptics are intended to destroy all types of microorganisms that may be present in the wound. This product functions to destroy bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa.
The use of antiseptic itself is very broad and varied. Simply put, antiseptics are used in the following purposes.
- The need to wash hands for medical personnel.
- Clean the operating room before and after the surgery.
- Cleanse the skin of the body that will be surgically removed.
- Clean the part that is prepared to be injected, both before and after being pricked by a needle.
- Clean the skin as a whole.
Although quite often used as a wound cleanser and disinfectant, it turns out there are certain microorganisms that have immunity to the antiseptic effect. That is the reason why some experts consider antiseptics not always to be effectively used as germ cleansers on wounds.
How to find out the safety of antiseptic products
If not stored or used properly, antiseptic products can be contaminated and can cause infection. Antiseptics that are contaminated with germs often occur accidentally for several reasons, such as incorrect storage of products, or improper use so that germs can get into the antiseptic packaging. This event often occurs mainly in products made from alcohol, chlorhexidine gluconate, iodiophores, and quaternary ammonium.
To overcome this problem of insecurity, try to use antiseptics stored in disposable packages. Also, make sure the label on the package includes sterile status. This shows that the antiseptic has passed the sterile production process so that it can eliminate all germs that may be present.
Although the antiseptic products used are labeled sterile, contamination is still possible. Therefore, always obey the instructions for use listed on the package to avoid dangerous things.
Like the use of other drugs, antiseptics can also have side effects when used. Some of these side effects are the appearance of rashes and redness on the skin due to irritation, swelling, and sore on the skin. To ensure safe use, antiseptics should not be used for more than 1 week.
Controversy over the use of antiseptics in external wounds
The safety of antiseptics for long-term use is now questionable again. Likewise, the safety and effectiveness of this product when used by pregnant women or nursing mothers. This is because of the many changes that have occurred since the first antiseptic was discovered. Ranging from increasingly widespread use to increasingly advanced technology.
In addition, the use of antiseptics in open wounds is still a pro and con. But generally for minor injuries such as abrasions, scratches, or minor burns the use of antiseptics is still relatively safe. Another case for certain types of injuries such as eye injuries, deep or extensive wounds, wounds accompanied by foreign objects, animal bites, to severe burns, then this type of wound should not be treated with antiseptics alone.
Antiseptics are considered capable of helping accelerate wound healing. Infection of the wound can be overcome by administering antiseptics. In addition, the bacteria in the wound also die due to antiseptics so that the rate of wound healing can be faster.
Various studies show that antiseptics are indeed considered quite effective in helping the healing process. This is because the antiseptic effect can prevent more severe infections, when compared to not using antiseptics when a wound occurs.
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