Antiseptics (antiseptics). The use of antiseptics in the treatment of wounds What are antiseptics

In medical practice, the most relevant and common measure is the disinfection of rooms, surgical instruments and directly individual parts of the human body. This involves the use of special tools. In this article, we will provide detailed information about what an antiseptic is.

Definition of measures with the use of antimicrobial agents

Methods of sterilization and disinfection play a fundamental role in the performance of various medical manipulations. Knowledge about this constitutes the main sections in training in obtaining a medical education. To understand what an antiseptic is, you first need to understand what an antiseptic and asepsis are.

Asepsis is a set of preventive measures that prevent the appearance of pathogenic microorganisms. Thanks to them, the patient receives reliable protection from the introduction of infectious pathogens into open wounds, as well as organs, tissues and other cavities of the body. Asepsis is mandatory for diagnosis, surgery and microbiological studies.
Antiseptic is a complex suppression or destruction of organisms representing potential danger for the health of the patient, on mucous membranes, damaged skin and cavities.

There are two sources of infection:

Exogenous. The reason for the penetration of microbes are external factors. When pathogens enter from the outside, medical workers resort to asepsis.
Endogenous. The infection is in the human body. In this case, the main role is given to antiseptics.

Antiseptics

Since we are going to dwell on the means by which the treatment is carried out aimed at the destruction of bacteria, it will be appropriate to learn about the types of antiseptics.

Preventive. It consists in the implementation of the following actions:

Treatment of fresh open wounds.
Hygienic processing of hands.
Disinfection of the operating surface.
Preventive measures in newborns, for example, treatment of an umbilical wound.
Processing the hands of surgeons before surgery.
Antiseptic of mucous membranes and skin infections.

Therapeutic. Antiseptics in medicine are used for their intended purpose. Each type of treatment has its own means. Here is their list:

Biological (tools developed on the basis of antagonist bacteria and bacteriophages).
Chemical antiseptics (bacteriostatic and bactericidal preparations).
Mechanical antiseptics (the use of solutions for the initial treatment of wounds and after removal of infected tissue areas).
Physical method (sorption, drainage, surgical treatment).
Combined.

The type of antiseptic, which is mentioned last, is most often used in medical practice for the reason that one method of treatment is not enough. What is an antiseptic in the aggregate? Let's see how this happens, using the example of treating a fresh wound.

Along with surgical techniques (chemical and mechanical), biological antiseptics are carried out. To have a direct effect on the pathogen, tetanus toxoid or antibiotics are administered. After first aid, a physical antiseptic is immediately prescribed, which implies physiotherapy procedures.

The role of bactericidal agents

It is logical that in order to carry out antibacterial treatments, substances capable of defeating harmful bacteria should be found. An antiseptic is a means that prevents decomposition processes and destroys putrefactive microorganisms. Preparations developed for this purpose are classified according to therapeutic actions:

Bacteriostatic inhibit the growth of infectious pathogens.
Germicidal destroy pathogens.
Microbicides contribute to the destruction of viral particles.
Antibacterial agents prevent the growth of bacteria.

The action of antimicrobial agents

Such substances penetrate the walls of bacterial cells, affect their cell membranes. This either inhibits the metabolic processes of microorganisms, or changes the permeability of their cell walls. Antiseptics are designed to inhibit or correct the growth of pathogenic microbes in living tissue areas. Thanks to them, the risk of infection and the development of infection in humans and animals is reduced.

When prescribing an antimicrobial drug, the patient is sampling the causative agent of the disease and checking its sensitivity to the agent. When choosing an external antiseptic, the natural reaction of microbes at the site of application of the antibacterial liquid is recognized.

Belonging of antiseptics to a chemical group

Inorganic substances include alkalis, acids, peroxides. Separate elements are also used here: chlorine, silver, copper, iodine, zinc, bromine, mercury.

The organic group of synthetic substances includes derivatives of phenols and alcohols, quinolines, alkalis, aldegins, acids, nitrofurans and dyes.

Bioorganic antiseptics are products obtained from natural objects. Lichens, fungi and some plants can serve as biological raw materials.

Petroleum products, essential oils, tar and natural salts have also proven to be effective antiseptics.

All of the above chemical and biological substances act as medicines and can be used at home.

Chemicals popular in medicine

Phenol is the most common agent used to treat the hands of surgeons before surgery. It is included in other antibacterial drugs. The tool is able to defeat viruses and is prescribed for rinsing oral cavity and throat. Phenol in powder form is used to treat navels in babies. In addition, it has an analgesic effect.
metal-containing compounds. A distinctive feature of these substances is their selective and specific action. They have a toxic effect on bacteria, and are gentle on the human body. Because of these properties, they are used to treat sensitive organs. Mercury oxycyanide serves as a disinfectant. Optical instruments are treated with its solution. Wash the eyes and mucous membranes with silver nitrate.
Halides. Alcohol tincture iodine is used as an antiseptic for the skin before surgery and venipuncture. Iodopyrone and iodonate are also widely used. Chloramine is an effective wound antiseptic because it contains active chlorine. A solution of sodium hypochlorite is irrigated and washed with contaminated open foci.
alkalis. From this group, ammonia solution (10%), sodium borate and ammonia are used for external treatment.
Oxidizers. Purulent wounds are washed with hydrogen peroxide during dressing, and lotions and rinses are also made. The solution does not penetrate the tissues, it is used for decaying cancerous tumors and bleeding of the mucous membranes.
Dyes. Brilliant green has a pronounced antimicrobial effect. In medicine, an antiseptic is used to combat Pseudomonas aeruginosa and staphylococcus aureus. Zelenka well cleanses purulent skin lesions, abrasions, oral mucosa, superficial wounds.
aldehyde compounds. Water solution formalin (40%) is used to disinfect medical instruments, gloves, drains. A weak solution (4%), treat items for patient care. Dry formaldehyde powder is used to sterilize optical instruments. It is able to destroy bacteria and their spores within 5 hours.
Acids. The boric acid solution prevents the growth and reproduction of many types of bacteria. It is used to treat ulcers, wounds and rinses in the mouth.

The best remedy

During the discussion, we found that doctors and their patients have many drugs at their disposal, each of which has a specific effect on bacteria. It is not possible to say that any of them is the most effective. We will try to highlight several criteria by which the best antiseptic is determined, according to its qualities. Firstly, a worthy remedy has either a good bactericidal effect, aimed at the death of microorganisms, or bacteriostatic, contributing to the cessation of their reproduction. Secondly, it must be environmentally friendly and not side effects on the human body. Thirdly, the drug is considered to be of high quality if it has a wide range of positive therapeutic effects. It is also necessary to take into account whether the antiseptic will dissolve in lipids. The antimicrobial activity of the drug should not decrease during the period of resistance of the body, for example, in the presence of physiological and pathological substrates.

Important factors when choosing a product is the price and a guarantee for the safety of its antibacterial properties.

Preparations

Sprays are very easy to use. Antiseptics of this type do not create unnecessary difficulties when applied. Some preparations are commercially available in large containers that allow the use of a spray bottle. The most common medicines include the following: "Chemetic", "Panthenol", "Eco Breeze", "Octenisept", "BioLong", "Desisprey", "Combi Liquid", "Medonika".

Antiseptics in the form of an ointment are represented by the following preparations: Hexicon, Rescuer, Betadine, Levomikol. As well as ointments: salicylic-zinc, boric, tetracycline and ichthyol.

It is important to know that many external antiseptics contain antibiotics that can provoke allergies. This must be taken into account when choosing a drug.

Natural antiseptics

Many have a disinfecting effect. healing herbs. Succession, tangerine oil, aloe vera, knotweed, lime, thyme are distinguished by good bactericidal properties. They are used in traditional medicine and in the development of pharmaceuticals.

Pharmacy tinctures: calendula, chamomile, eucalyptus leaves.
Oils: juniper, frankincense, eucalyptus, lime and tea tree.

A decoction of buckthorn helps in the treatment of boils and eczema. Flax seeds are used for sores in the mouth.

Other applications

It was found that recently the bacteria have adopted traditional methods of disinfection, and their reproduction has accelerated significantly. To prevent infection with fungal and viral infections, high-quality chemicals are used in hairdressing salons. Below is a brief description of some of them.

Antiseptic spray "Bacillon AF" is active against standard viruses. It is used for express processing of surfaces and tools. Use this remedy with caution, as it dries out the skin and causes peeling. Ingredients: ethanol (4.7%), propanol-1 (45%), glutoronic aldehyde (45%), propanol-2 (25%).

"Aerodesin". The alcohol-containing spray is intended for an accelerated processing method. After irrigating objects, the product is left on the surface for about 30 seconds. With prolonged use, a gray coating appears on the instruments. Ingredients: didecyldimethylammonium chloride (0.25%), protanol-1 (32.5%), ethanol (18%). According to the instructions, the antiseptics mentioned above are not used for processing medical instruments.

The latest innovation is sprayable hand sanitizers. They can be used in any public places and on the street. As a rule, they are available in bottles with a dispenser that is easy to carry around.

Widespread use of antiseptics is observed in construction. They protect wooden structures from the appearance of blue, cracks, insects, and serve as the main layer for painting. Antiseptic agents penetrate the wood and form a film on the surface that protects against future damage.

This can be explained by their extreme importance. They are especially indispensable in families with small children, because abrasions, scratches and small wounds are an indispensable attribute of every person's childhood. What drugs belong to the group of antiseptics and what is their mechanism of action?

Antiseptic drugs: how they work

Antiseptics are a type of drugs from the group of antibiotics, that is, their main task is to fight pathogenic bacteria. Really effective medicine from the group of antiseptics is able to cope with various microorganisms, but they are used with a few exceptions locally, that is, applied to the surface of the skin.

A number of antiseptics make it impossible for bacteria to multiply, but most of these drugs make changes to various cellular structures of microbes, which leads to their rapid death.

Antiseptics are by no means harmless medicines. If used incorrectly, they can burn the wound and even cause pain shock. Therefore, each of these drugs has its own indications.

Antiseptic medicines are represented by a very wide list. Among them there are very popular among the population (iodine, brilliant green, ethyl alcohol), and those that are known only medical workers(formaldehyde, mercury solutions, etc.) What drugs from this group are most often used in everyday life, and what are the main indications for their use?

Medicines based on iodine (Iodinol, alcohol iodine solution, iodoform, Lugol's solution).

They are used for the treatment of skin diseases, in which the process of suppuration is expressed, for the treatment of bedsores, trophic ulcers. An alcoholic solution of iodine is an effective medicine for treating the edges of the surgical field, but you need to know that if it gets into a deep wound, it can cause tissue necrosis, which means it will take much longer to heal. Medicines based on iodine are used to treat purulent tonsillitis (it is applied topically to the tonsils with small cotton swabs), purulent otitis media(buried directly into the external auditory canal).

Also, iodine-based preparations are used as such a traditional method of treatment. various diseases muscles, joints and bones, like a "iodine mesh". Given its superficial effect, it is not necessary to expect that it will be absorbed deep into the tissues of muscles and joints, therefore, in this case, its role is rather distracting and annoying. When iodine gets on the skin, it promotes vasodilation and increased blood flow to the site of injury. Thus, microcirculation improves in this area of tissues, which helps to accelerate recovery.

It is one of the most effective remedies for treating wounds of any size. Unlike iodine, its contact with affected tissues does not cause burns and necrosis, so you can confidently take it with you on any trip. This drug is suitable for rinsing the mouth with sore throat and viral diseases. Chlorhexidine is widely used in hospitals, both for the treatment of wounds, for the disinfection of the hands of medical personnel and for the sterilization of instruments.

Ethyl alcohol (70% and 40%).

It is also an excellent medicine from the group of antiseptics. Despite the desire of some people to use it inside, topical application of this solution to the skin is much more useful, as it contributes to the rapid destruction of various microorganisms. In addition, in hospitals it is used as a disinfectant for materials and instruments. Alcohol sprays are an excellent preparation for antiseptic treatment of hands during an epidemic. viral infections in cases where it is not possible to wash them with soap (at work, in transport, on a trip).

Brilliant green (or, as it is commonly called, brilliant green).

It is used to treat the edges of a wound, small scratches or abrasions. This is a favorite medicine for applying to rashes with chickenpox. Numerous studies have shown that the treatment of green rash in this disease does not affect its prognosis in any way, that is, by and large, it can be lubricated with nothing at all. However, for parents and doctors, the absence in the morning of new untreated brilliant green skin elements indicates the cessation of falling asleep and the transition of the disease to the last stage - healing and recovery, and this is a very important fact from the point of view of epidemiology.

Potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate).

An effective medicine that is widely used for treating wounds and burn surfaces, washing the mouth and throat. Unlike most other antiseptics, this drug is used for internal use (gastric lavage in case of poisoning, douching in urology and gynecology).

Protargol.

This medicine can also be taken orally and is suitable for the treatment of various mucous membranes (respiratory and genitourinary tract, eyes, mouth and pharynx).

Ammonia solution 10%.

For topical application to the skin, it is practically not used (with the exception of insect bites). However, it can be extremely useful for those who have increased emotional sensitivity, as it is the first choice medicine for fainting. In hospitals, this medicine is also used to treat the surgeon's hands before operations or dressings.

Hydrogen peroxide (simple and concentrated solution).

It is an effective medicine for treating wounds, especially if they are dirty. Its ability to foam allows the wound to quickly clear itself of earth, sand, chips or dust, and this helps to quickly remove them from its surface, which will positively affect healing. In addition to the cutaneous method of application, hydrogen peroxide is used for washing the organs of the genitourinary system, for the treatment of purulent wounds in hospitals.

The question of which medicines from the antiseptic group should be kept in your home first aid kit is very important. An injury is never planned, so these medications are almost always needed urgently. If the wound occurred at night, then there is a high probability that all nearby pharmacies will be closed. Therefore, it is better to take care of the availability of these drugs in advance. So, what medicines should you always have on hand:

Hydrogen peroxide,
Medicines based on iodine,
potassium permanganate,
brilliant green,
Chlorhexidine.

Other antiseptic drugs are prescribed by doctors for certain diseases, so their long-term storage at home is undesirable. Be sure to follow their expiration dates and storage conditions. Sometimes an initially effective medicine can be completely useless if it was stored incorrectly.

What are antiseptics in medicine? These are drugs that are used to treat lesions of the skin or mucous membranes by microorganisms. Antiseptics are active against protozoa, fungi, bacilli, bacteria, and have a wide spectrum of action. The most common antiseptics are represented by iodine halogen-containing preparations, substances from the oxidizing group, for example, hydrogen peroxide, certain acids and alkalis (salicylic acid), dyes (brilliant green), and so on.

Definition of antiseptic

What is an antiseptic in medicine? Doctors and medical students know the definition by heart. This is a complex of therapeutic and preventive measures carried out with the aim of destroying or significantly reducing the number of pathogenic microorganisms in the wound or the patient's body as a whole. In the pre-antiseptic period, about 80% of patients died after operations due to putrefactive, gangrenous and purulent complications. Now (thanks to the use of antiseptic agents and asepsis methods), this can be avoided.

Antiseptics began to develop in the second half of the nineteenth century with the publications of J. Lister, in 1890 new method proposed by the German scientist Bergman, some of whose recommendations are still used today. Now there are many new methods of asepsis and antisepsis, as well as safe disinfectants. In the last 25 years, dressing materials and medical instruments have been introduced more widely.

Aseptic and antiseptic

In medicine, the prevention of infection during surgical interventions and minimally invasive methods of therapy and diagnostics is of fundamental importance. Infections can spread internally, that is, through the body of the patient, or externally, through environment, including medical instruments, household items, air.

The definition of asepsis and antisepsis in medicine is as follows: a set of measures aimed at preventing infection from entering the wound, organs and tissues of the patient during the operation and, accordingly, actions aimed at eliminating infection in the patient's body as a whole or in the wound in particular. Antiseptic, as previously mentioned, can be performed with preventive purpose or therapeutic. In the first case, the wound is treated to prevent the development of infection, and in the second case, if pathogenic microorganisms have already entered the body.

Aseptic and antiseptic measures

Actions aimed at preventing infection from entering the wound and the human body as a whole include: carrying out wet cleaning in wards and other rooms and regular ventilation; sterilization of instruments and devices that are used by orderlies, nurses and doctors, equipping operating rooms with special ventilation systems and the use of sterile material. To eliminate the infection for the purpose of therapy and prevention, bactericidal agents and antibiotics of general or local effects are used, dressings are applied and special solutions are applied, wounds are opened and treated, foreign objects and dead tissues are removed from the wound cavity. Antiseptic and septic in medicine mutually exclude each other (septic - decay). To prevent infection, everything related to a traumatic or surgical wound must be sterile.

The main types of antiseptics

Asepsis and antiseptics in medicine are part of the surgical science. The concepts are closely interrelated and involve measures aimed at preventing infection from entering the patient's body or therapy for an existing one. Methods and actions differ only formally. So, the types of antiseptics in medicine are:

Mechanical. Removal of infected or non-viable by, that is, an opening and treatment of the wound, washing and other manipulations that provide cleansing.
Physical. Treatment and prevention of infection through the use of physical factors that ensure the death of microbes or a significant reduction in their number. Example: the use of hypertonic solutions that draw the contents of the wound into a bandage.
Chemical. Exposure of pathological microorganisms to chemicals that have a bacteriostatic or bactericidal effect. It is better if such substances do not adversely affect healthy cells and human tissues.
Biological. It involves the use of biological products that act directly on microorganisms. These include antibiotics, bacteriophages, antitoxins.
Mixed. Exposure to several types of antiseptics at the same time.

In addition, local and general antiseptics are distinguished, and local is divided into superficial and deep. Superficial antiseptic involves the use of powders, creams, ointments, applications, while deep, the drug is injected into the inflammatory focus (chipping, penicillin-novocaine blockade). General antisepsis involves saturating the body with antiseptic substances that are brought into the lesion with the flow of blood and lymph, positively affecting the microflora.

The origin of antiseptics in surgery

What is an antiseptic in medicine, medieval healers only guessed. Before the advent modern drugs only the mechanical method was widely used according to the principle: "You see pus - let it out." After the publication of the work of J. Lister in 1867, the widespread use of antiseptics in medicine began. An English surgeon and scientist, inspired by the "microbial theory of decay" by L. Pasteur, convinced of the antiseptic properties of carbolic acid, applied a bandage to an open fracture. Prior to this, the Parisian pharmacist Lemaire began to use acid.

Fundamentals of the antiseptic method

The basics of the proposed antiseptic method were outlined by J. Lister in the article "On a new method of treating fractures ...", published in 1867. Thus, the surgeon created the first multicomponent method in history to combat pathogenic microorganisms penetrating into open wounds. Lister entered the history of surgical science as the founder of antiseptics. The method involved the application of a multi-layer bandage, hand treatment, sterilization of instruments, suture and dressing material, as well as the operating room.

In Russia, antiseptics were introduced by prominent surgeons, among whom are K. Reyer, P. Pelekhin, who is the author of the first Russian publication on antiseptics, N. Sklifosovsky, S. Kolomin, I. Burtsev (the first surgeon who published his own results of the introduction of antiseptic method), N. Pirogov, L. Levshin, N. Velyaminov, N. Studensky.

Criticism and new methods

Lehmer's method found many supporters, but there were also opponents. What is an antiseptic in medicine when it comes to carbolic acid? This substance has a toxic effect on the patient's tissues and organs, the surgeon's hands, and the respiratory organs (the solution was supposed to be sprayed in the operating room). This caused some surgeons to doubt the value of this method.

A quarter of a century later, the aseptic method was replaced, the results of which were so impressive that some doctors even began to abandon antiseptics. But over time, it became clear that in surgical practice one cannot do without antiseptics. Soon, several new agents were proposed, already much less toxic than carbolic acid. Gradually, antisepsis was closely intertwined with asepsis. At present, surgery is unthinkable without the unity of these two disciplines.

Common antiseptics

What is an antiseptic in medicine? This is an antimicrobial drug. The mechanism of action of substances from different groups is not the same, some violate the permeability of the plasma membrane of a pathogenic microorganism, others disrupt the structure of a protein molecule or inhibit enzymes that are important for the life of fungi, viruses and bacteria. In order for antiseptic agents not to cause harm (after all, in appropriate concentrations they adversely affect most microorganisms), they must be used correctly.

The list of antiseptics in medicine that are used most often is as follows:

alcohols (the most common are propyl, ethanol, isopropyl, their mixtures);
(used in some disinfectants, antiseptic towels, toilet soap);
boric acid (against herpes and in the treatment of fungal infections of the vagina);
brilliant green (the dye is still widely used in the form of a solution for the treatment of small wounds and abscesses);
chlorhexidine gluconate (an antiseptic for skin and gum disease therapy);
hydrogen peroxide (used to treat wounds and scratches, in everyday life);
iodine solution (used for pre- and postoperative disinfection, not recommended for treating small wounds);
octenidine dihydrochloride (substance has activity against a wide range of microorganisms);
carbolic acid and other phenol compounds (used as baby antiseptic powder for the navel, for rinsing the mouth and throat, cleaning the hands of staff).

Terms of Use

Before treating any injury, wash your hands with soap, rinse the wound, or remove foreign bodies, dirt residues and the like with tweezers. If the wound or burn is extensive, then you can not pour the antiseptic inside. For example, only the edges of the wound are treated with iodine so as not to cause a chemical burn, additional trauma and lead to longer healing. Without consulting a doctor, it is not recommended to use antiseptic drugs for dermatological diseases.

Ethanol is used in medicine as an antiseptic, usually in or as part of other preparations in small dosages, but is not used in the mucous membranes of the eyes, throat or nose.

For the purpose of intimate prophylaxis, only the external genital organs, the vagina and the urethra are treated, but this is only possible with the help of suitable antiseptic preparations.

Antiseptics for the prevention and treatment of stomatitis, herpes, colds, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, and so on are available in various dosage forms. Solutions for rinsing, tablets and lozenges for resorption, aerosols for inhalation and more can be used. Some antiseptics may contain local anesthetics, deodorizing agents, or essential oils.

Hand antiseptics

The simplest antiseptic, the use of which is sufficient to comply with the rules of hygiene, is ordinary soap. It is enough to wash your hands as needed: after a walk, before eating, before various body care activities, after going to the toilet. It is not worth using an antiseptic every time - this will only violate the body's natural defenses.

Hand antiseptics in medicine and in everyday life are used as a means of hygiene in cases where ordinary soap and water are not available. It is advisable to use antiseptics, which do not contain perfumes and alcohol. The formulations are usually available as a spray or gel. Two milliliters of the drug is applied to the dry skin of the hands and rubbed until dry, but not less than 15 seconds.

Non-medical use

Antiseptics have found use in food production, for example, many preservatives are based on them. Paints and varnishes with antiseptic properties are used to protect wood from saprophytic microflora, protect against decay, insects, blue stain, mold, burning and fire. Disinfectants are part of detergents.

Microbial resistance

With prolonged use of antiseptic agents, microbes can evolve and no longer accept such substances. Different antiseptics provoke bacteria to develop in different ways. The adaptation of microorganisms may also depend on the dosage: a low dose will not be enough to protect against infections. In addition, resistance to one particular compound may increase resistance to others.