This document defines antiseptics and disinfectants, and lists various antiseptic solutions. An antiseptic agent kills or inhibits the growth of pathogens on living tissue, while a disinfectant kills microbes on inanimate objects. Some common antiseptic solutions mentioned include weak iodine solution, phenol, hydrogen peroxide, spirit, povidone-iodine, formalin solution, and chlorhexidine gluconate solution. Details are provided on the composition, properties, and uses of selected antiseptic solutions.

1. Shivakumar.s.chawan
Bsc 2ndyr nursing
s.i.o.n.s.Bagalkot

2. Definition
Antiseptic ; it is the process of destruction of disease
causimg microorganisms to prevent infection in patients
body surface . The proceess may be either bactericidal or
bacteriostatic.

3.  Antiseptic agent : it is a chemical which either kills
pathogenic organism or inhibits their growth so long
as there is contact between the agent and microbe .
 Disinfectant : it is germicidal chemical substance
used on inanimate objects to kill most recognised
pathogenic microorganisms but not neccessarily all
microbe .

4. List of antiseptic solution
 Weak iodine solution
Salvon( hospital concentrate )
 Phenol
 Hydrogen peroxide
 Spirit
 Povidine-iodine ( betadine )
 Formalin solution
 Glycerine magsulf solution

5. continude
 Ether
 Gentian vioet
 Pottassium permagnate
 Silver nitrate
 Hibitane concentrate
 Mercurochrome
 Acriflavin
 Cidex
 Eusol
 `

6. Weak iodine soution
 Composition : iodine tincture , alcohol .
 Uses :
 preoperative painting of the skin .
 Special remarks :
 iodine should be wiped up with spirit after 2
minutes of painting .
 idiosyncracy may occur in sensitive patients .
 it kills 90% of skin bacteria in about 90 seconds .
 alcohol increases the permeabiity of the iodine .

7. Hydrogen peroxide
 Composition :
 20 volume hydrogen peroxide
 20 volume nascent oxygen
 Properties & Effects :
 it is not an antiseptic but a cleansing agent
 Uses :
 It destroys anaerobic organism & therefore used for cleaning the
wounds.
 It producess frothing & brings out debris from the depth of the
wound .
 It produces heat when it comes in contact with the tissues . Thus,it
prevent capilary oozing, & hence it is used as haemostatic solution
wheneverthere is capillary oozing
 Ex: after incision & drainage .
 Used in cleaning wounds , boils, etc .

8. Phenol
 Composition :
 0.5-1% carbolic acid
 Properties & Effects :
 it is in dark pink in colour & a
strong a strong irritant . Pure form may cause skin
burns . It has the smell of lifebuoy soap .
 Uses :
 Disinfection of sharp instruments . In 100% solution,
the instruments should be immersed for 2-3 hours , &
in 20% solution for 24 hours .
 Disinfection during cholera epidemic for disposal of
excreta .

9. spirit
 Composition : alcohol
 Uses :
 disinfection of skin before IM & IV injections
 Cleaning the stitched wound
 cleaning the skin of the surrounding ulcer or
wonds
 Removal of iodine in preparation of skin for operation

10. Betadine(povidone-iodine )
 Generic name- povidone-iodine
 Products available :
 povidone-iodine(5-10%) topical solution.
 Povidone-iodine vaginal pessaries.
 povidone-iodine ointment
 Properties & Effect :
 iodine is recognised as an effective & useful
germicide
 it is very effective against a variety of
microrganism such as viruses, bacteria .

11. continude
 Advantages :
 broad spectrum of action .
 antibiotic , antiseptic actions .
 Uses :

 used as a local antiseptic & for wound dressing .
 used for irrigation of bladder , wound, pyothorax
peritoneal cavity .

12. salvon
 Composition : chlorhexidine gluconate (7.5%)
 strong cetrimide (16%)
 isopropyl alcohol (6.8%)
 Color : tartrazine ( yellow )
 Properties & Effects :
 Germicide & detergent .
 Uses :
 cleaning & disinfection of the equipment in the
vicinity of the patient .
 Cleaning & disinfection of the postoperative wounds .
 Aseptic management of burns .

13. formalin
 Composition :
 30% aldehyde plus 10% methane
 Concentration :
 38-40% solution .
 Uses :
 10% formaldehyde solution in saline is used as
preservative for biopsy specimens .
 operation theater sterilization .
 Used in strilisation of surgical gloves & instrument