Question

Difference between disinfectants and antiseptics.

Answer 1

Both antiseptics and disinfectants come under the category of antimicrobial drugs. Antiseptics are applied to living tissues such as wounds or ulcers while disinfectants are applied to inanimate objects or non living objects such as floors, instruments etc.

Complete step by step solution:
So many diseases in human beings and animals may be caused by a variety of microorganisms such as bacteria, virus, fungi and other pathogens. An antimicrobial drug tends to destroy or prevent development or inhibit the pathogen action of microbes. All antibiotics, antiseptics, and disinfectants are antimicrobial drugs.
Antiseptics: Antiseptics are the chemical drugs which either kill or prevent the growth of microorganisms. They are applied selectively to living tissues such as wounds, cuts, ulcers, and diseased skin surfaces. Dettol is a most commonly used antiseptic. Iodine is a powerful antiseptic. Its 2-3 % solution in alcohol and water mixture is known as ‘tincture of iodine’. It is applied to wounds.
Disinfectants: Disinfectants are applied to inanimate objects or non living objects such as floors, instruments etc. Most of the commonly used cleaning products in homes are disinfectants. Chlorine, having concentration 0.2 ppm to 0.4 ppm in aqueous solution and sulphur dioxide in very low concentration, are disinfectants.
A disinfectant can also work as an antiseptic by varying the concentration. For example, 0.2% solution of phenol works as an antiseptic while its 1% solution works as a disinfectant.

Note: Antiseptics are the most effective when they are used in the correct concentration. A high enough concentration of an antiseptic would simply kill the harmful bacteria, viruses or fungi, but its concentration also should be that low enough to avoid damage to the living tissues.