Question

What are antiseptics? Give an example.

Answer 1

Hint : Antiseptic medicines are used on live tissues to destroy germs and stop them from growing in the wound, preventing infection. Antiseptics do not cure wounds; instead, they keep them from becoming infected. Dettol is an antiseptic made up of terpineol and chloroxylenol. Tincture iodine, bithional, iodoform, boric acid, phenol (dilute solution), and other antiseptics are examples.

Complete Step By Step Answer:
Antiseptics are antimicrobial chemicals that are administered to live tissue or skin to prevent infection, sepsis, and putrefaction. Antiseptics are separated from antibiotics by their capacity to safely eliminate germs within the body, while disinfectants are differentiated by their capacity to kill germs found on non-living things. Some antiseptics are genuine germicides (bactericidal), capable of killing microorganisms, whereas others are bacteriostatic, preventing or inhibiting their development. Antibacterials are antiseptics that have been shown to be effective against bacteria. Virucides or antivirals are microbicides that kill virus particles. Antifungals, sometimes referred to as antimycotics, are fungicides that are used to treat and prevent mycosis (fungal infection). Antiseptics are classified into eight different types of materials. Small molecules that indefinitely react with organic substances and kill microorganisms (peroxides, iodine, phenols) and more complex molecules that damage the bacteria's cell walls can be classified into these types based on their mode of action. Phenols such as phenol, triclosan, hexachlorophene, chlorocresol, and chloroxylenol (as introduced by Lister). The latter is used to clean surgical tools and disinfect the skin. It's also in a lot of disinfectants and wound cleansers around the house. Quinolines such hydroxyquinoline, dequalinium chloride, and chlorquinaldol are examples of quinolines. Surgical spirit is a term used to describe alcohols such as ethanol and 2-propanol/isopropanol. They're used for a variety of things, including disinfecting the skin before injections.

Note :
The publication of Joseph Lister's article Antiseptic Principle of the Practice of Surgery in 1867, which was inspired by Louis Pasteur's germ hypothesis of putrefaction, paved the way for the widespread adoption of antiseptic surgical procedures. Lister advised the use of carbolic acid (phenol) to ensure that any germs present were destroyed in this article.