Antiseptics on Wounds: An Area of Controversy

Abstract

Antiseptics� have� long� and� commonly� been� used� on� wounds� to� prevent� or� treat� infection.� However,� citing� cytotoxicity data,� many� authors� have� advised� against� their� use� on� open� wounds.� This� article� discusses� antiseptics� and� their� use on� open� wounds,� as� well� reviews� relevant� animal� studies� and� clinical� trials� examining� the� effects� of� commonly� used antiseptics,� including� iodine� compounds� (povidone� iodine� and� cadexomer� iodine),� chlorhexidine,� hydrogen� peroxide, acetic� acid,� and� silver� compounds.� This� article� examines� their� effects� on� wound� healing� and� reepithelization� and� their efficacy� on� reducing� bacterial� number� in� wounds� and� incidence� of� wound� infections.� The� authors� found� despite cytotoxicty� data,� most� antiseptics� have� not� been� shown� to� clearly� impede� healing,� especially� newer� formulations� like cadexomer� iodine� (which� speeds� healing)� and� novel� silver� delivery� systems.� These� compounds� appear� to� be relatively� safe� and� efficient� in� preventing� infection� in� human� wounds.� Given� this� review,� the� role� of� antiseptics� on wounds� and� their� role� in� wound� care� management� should� be� reconsidered.