Question

Which halogen is used as an antiseptic?

Answer 1

Halogens like fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine are generally considered as toxic and highly reactive elements but when mixed with some solvent are used in the form of antiseptic and disinfectants which help to prevent the activity of microbes. Fluorine is the only halogen that is neither used as a disinfectant nor as an antiseptic.

Complete Answer:
The halogen like fluorine is mainly used in toothpaste to prevent cavities and protect the enamel whereas chlorine and bromine are commonly used in disinfectants. In the case of antiseptic iodine is very useful.
The commonly used antiseptic is a tincture of iodine which consists of halogen iodine. Iodine acts as a bactericidal, fungicide, sporicidal, etc. The tincture of iodine gets prepared in the alcoholic solution and it is a commonly used antiseptic for more than 150 years. It is used in all types of cuts and wounds and it helps to heal the wound quickly.

Additional Information:
In antiseptics and disinfectants, the most commonly used agents are alcohol, phenol, iodine, and chlorine. It is mainly used in hospitals to control microbial activity and resists its infections. The antibiotics and disinfectants work on the microbe's cell surface and penetrate through it to the target site and lead to lysis of cells and cell death. It also causes leakage of cell materials which ultimately stops the biochemical reactions inside the cell.

Note:
To overcome some of the demerits of tincture of iodine, iodophor is prepared. It is made up of iodine complex and some stabilizing agents. The germicidal properties of both tinctures of iodine and iodophors are the same; the only difference is in its reactivity.