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AntisepticAntiseptics (Greek αντ, against, and σηπτικς, putrefactive) are antimicrobial substances that are applied to living tissue/skin to reduce the possibility of infection, sepsis, or putrefaction. They should generally be distinguished from antibiotics that destroy microorganisms within the body, and from disinfectants, which destroy microorganisms found on non-living objects. Some antiseptics are true germicides, capable of destroying microbes (bacteriocidal), whilst others are bacteriostatic and only prevent or inhibit their growth. Antibacterials are antiseptics that only act against bacteria.
Use in surgery The widespread introduction of antiseptic surgical methods followed the publishing of the paper Antiseptic Principle of the Practice of Surgery in 1867 by Joseph Lister, inspired by Louis Pasteur's germ theory of putrefaction. In this paper he advocated the use of carbolic acid (phenol) as a method of ensuring that any germs present were killed. Some of this work was anticipated by: Dr. George H Tichenor who experimented with the use of alcohol on wounds ca. 1861-1863, and subsequently marketed a product for this purpose known as "Dr. Tichenor's Patent Medicine " after the US Civil War. Ignaz Semmelweis who published his work "The Cause, Concept and Prophylaxis of Childbed Fever" in 1861, summarizing experiments and observations since 1847.[1] Florence Nightingale, who contributed substantially to the report on the Royal Commission on the Health of the Army (1856–1857), based on her earlier work Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., who published "The Contagiousness of Puerperal Fever" in 1843. and even the ancient Greek physicians Galen (ca 130–200 CE) and Hippocrates (ca 400 BCE). There is even a Sumerian clay tablet dating from 2150 BCE advocating the use of similar techniques. How it works For the growth of bacteria there must be a certain food supply, moisture, in most cases oxygen, and a certain minimum temperature. These conditions have been specially studied and applied in connection with the preserving of food and in the ancient practice of embalming the dead, which is the earliest illustration of the systematic use of antiseptics. Some common antiseptics Alcohols: Most commonly used are ethanol (60-90%), 1-propanol (60-70%) and 2-propanol/isopropanol (70-80%) or mixtures of these alcohols. They are commonly referred to as "surgical alcohol". Used to disinfect the skin before injections are given, often along with iodine (tincture of iodine). Quaternary ammonium compounds Boric acid: Used in suppositories to treat yeast infections of the vagina, in eyewashes, and as an antiviral to shorten the duration of cold sore attacks. Put into creams for burns. Also common in trace amounts in eye contact solution. Though it is popularly known as an antiseptic, it is in reality only a soothing fluid, and bacteria will flourish comfortably in contact with it. Chlorhexidine Gluconate: A biguanidine derivative, used in concentrations of 0.5 - 4.0% alone or in lower concentrations in combination with other compounds, such as alcohols. Used as a skin antiseptic and to treat inflammation of the gums (gingivitis). Hydrogen peroxide: Used as a 6% solution to clean and deodorize wounds and ulcers. More common 1% or 2% solutions of hydrogen peroxide have been used in household first aid for scrapes, etc. However, even this less potent form is no longer recommended for typical wound care as the strong oxidization causes scar formation and increases healing time. Gentle washing with mild soap and water or rinsing a scrape with sterile saline is a better practice. Iodine: Usually used in an alcoholic solution (called tincture of iodine) or as Lugol's iodine solution as a pre and post-operative antiseptic. No longer recommended to disinfect minor wounds because it induces scar tissue formation and increases healing time. Gentle washing with mild soap and water or rinsing a scrape with sterile saline is a better practice. The great advantage of iodine antiseptics is the widest scope of antimicrobial activity, killing all principal pathogens and given enough time even spores, which are considered to be the most difficult form of micro organisms to be inactivated by disinfectants and antiseptics. Phenol (carbolic acid) compounds: Phenol is germicidal in strong solution, inhibitory in weaker ones. Used as a "scrub" for pre-operative hand cleansing. Used in the form of a powder as an antiseptic baby powder, where it is dusted onto the navel as it heals. Also used in mouthwashes and throat lozenges, where it has a painkilling effect as well as an antiseptic one. Example: TCP. Sodium chloride: Used as a general cleanser. Also used as an antiseptic mouthwash. Only a weak antiseptic effect, due to hyperosmolality of the solution above 0.9%. Sodium hypochlorite: Used in the past, diluted, neutralized and combined with potassium permanganate in the Daquin's solution. Nowadays used only as disinfectant. Essential Oils: Many essential oils are considered to have antiseptic properties. Eucalyptus, Juniper, Lavender, Manuka, Ravensara, Rosemary and Tea Tree are probably the top ones to use. Eucalyptus used in airsprays or any form of vaporisation during epidemics have often been discovered to give a good measure of protection against the flu. In North Africa groves of Eucalyptus trees have been planted in swampy areas to help give protection against malaria. Jean Valnet (Dr. Jean Valnet, who was a medical doctor, began his own research on the properties of essential oils during the years after World War I, also working in military hospitals and elsewhere. He was a medical physician in the French Army during World War II, treating all kinds of injuries. There was a shortage of supplies and the standard medicines ran out, including antibiotics. He tried essential oils, the wounds healed rapidly and infection was reduced and often completely arrested. Many soldiers were saved because of his treatment with essential oils.) gave precise data on the bactericidial properties of Eucalyptus. The antiseptic and healing properties of Eucalyptus have long been known to the Australian aborigines who bind Eucalyptus leaves around wounds. Juniper has been used for many hundreds of years as an antiseptic and to protect against infection. Culturally in Tibet and France sprigs of Juniper and Rosemary were burnt in French hospitals to ward off infection. This practice continued until quite recently. Rosemary was burnt during the Middle Ages in sickrooms. Lavender has been continually used for many thousands of years and just grows in popularity for its versatile nature is second to none. Rene-Maurice Gattefosse - a French cosmetic chemist named Rene-Maurice Gattefosse (Ga-fo-say) was working in his family's perfume business and severely burned himself in an accident. He had third-degree burns covering his hand and forearm, and thrust his arm into the nearest vat of cold liquid to relieve the pain. The liquid was lavender oil. He was surprised to find his pain lessened and there was no redness, inflammation, or blistering. He realized that the lavender oil had begun to heal the burn and continued to use it. The burn healed without a trace of a scar. For Dr. Gattefosse, this began a lifetime of discovery for him learning about essential oils. He started with an analysis of lavender oil and continued analyzing many other oils from various plants and parts of plants. He learned that the healing properties of plants originated in their essential oils.Dr. Jean Valnet (see above) used Lavender oil to treat serious burns and war injuries when he was a French army surgeon. Today Lavender is widely used for its antiseptic properties. Manuka is a relatively new addition to the world of aromatherapy in the Western world. However it is an oil which has long been used by the Maori people for its anti-bacterial properties. It is only very distantly related to Tea Tree oil and has many properties which differ from Tea Tree. Manuka also has a very gentle and sweet scent. Manuka can be used as an antiseptic on the skin especially where healing is slow. Ravensara is a great multi action oil and very safe to use. It works best when blended with another oil and Lavender is a good choice as both oils are gentle and safe. Ravensara is reputed to be active against bacteria and is a great oil to choice to burn through the winter months as its pleasant scent also can help protect against viral infection. Tea Tree is the last essential oil mentioned here but by no means is the least as it is particularly powerful in this area. Tea Tree is unusual in that it is widely reputed to be active against all three categories of infectious organisms – bacteria, fungi and viruses. Tea Tree is valuable for the skin, for colds, flu and many other infectious conditions. |
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