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The substances that slow down the growth or just stop the growth of microorganisms are known as antiseptics. They are most commonly used in various medical settings such as hospitals in order to reduce the risk of infection during surgical procedures and other medical procedures. Examples of antiseptics include hand washes, hand rubs, skin preparations, and so on.
The chemical agents that are applied, to destroy the bacteria, fungi, viruses, molds, and other microorganisms, over the non-living objects to destroy are known as disinfectants. Disinfectants are most commonly used in industrial or commercial facility maintenance. Examples of disinfectants include alcohol, formaldehyde, peracetic acid, and so on.
Antiseptics and Disinfectants – Types
Some of the different types of antiseptics and disinfectants are listed below-
|
Types of Antiseptics |
|
|
Antiseptics |
Uses |
|
Chlorhexidine and other biguanides |
Used on open wounds and for irrigation of bladder. |
|
Peroxide and permanganate |
Used on open wounds and antiseptic mouthwashes. |
|
Antibacterial dye |
Used to help treat wounds |
|
Halogenated Phenol Derivative |
Used in cleaning solutions and medical soaps |
|
Types of Disinfectants |
|
|
Disinfectants |
Uses |
|
Hydrogen Peroxide |
Used as a ready-to-use disinfectant in order to kill bacteria and viruses quickly. |
|
Alcohols |
Used for killing bacteria by diluting it in water. |
|
Chlorine compounds |
Kills an array of organisms which include resistant viruses such as a chlorine sanitizer. |
|
Aldehydes |
These are very effective in killing the bacteria which cause tuberculosis. |
Antiseptics and Disinfectants- Difference
Most of the time antiseptics and disinfectants are used interchangeably since antiseptics are sometimes called skin disinfectants which creates confusion. But both antiseptics and disinfectants are completely different terms and the key difference is that disinfectants are applied to non living surfaces as they are used t kill germs present on non-living surfaces while antiseptics are directly applied to the body as they kill the microorganisms present on your skin. For instance, when you visit a doctor he applies antiseptic on the person’s body which is to be operated on and uses a disinfectant in order to sterilize the operating table. A common ingredient that is present in both antiseptic and disinfectants is hydrogen peroxide.
A chemical agent known as a biocide is used in both antiseptics and disinfectants but the concentration of biocide in antiseptics is lower than that in disinfectants.