For moderately severe open wounds, the safest and most effective over-the-counter (OTC) antiseptics include iodine, biguanides, and peroxides.
Antiseptics are chemical solutions applied topically to the skin or wounds to reduce the growth of harmful bacteria, viruses, or fungi.
Common OTC antiseptic types include:
- alcohols, such as isopropyl alcohol
- biguanides, such as chlorhexidine
- iodine
- peroxides
- halogenated phenols
You can typically take care of mild wounds with antibacterial soap and water, while more severe wounds may require medical attention. Here’s what to know about antiseptic use and its safety.
The
The FDA has listed 24 potentially harmful antiseptic ingredients to know about. However, only one is still an active ingredient marketed as a healthcare antiseptic today. At this time, the FDA considers triclosan to be potentially unsafe to use.
Although scientists haven’t explicitly proven these ingredients to cause harm, there’s limited evidence to back their use, and their long-term effects remain unknown.
With repeated use, even antiseptics considered safe, such as isopropyl alcohol, may cause cytotoxicity in the wound, meaning they can erode healthy cells and actually slow healing,
Keep in mind that milder cuts and scrapes won’t require any antiseptic to heal — antibacterial soap will be sufficient to disinfect the area.
If your cut is larger or more serious, it’s much safer to seek medical care — more on that below.
You shouldn’t use antiseptics for deeper or more serious wounds, including:
- burns or deep wounds, more than a quarter-inch deep
- large wounds or burns (i.e., those that may need to be stitched shut)
- wounds with excessive…
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