Disinfectants and Antiseptics- Definition, Differences, Types and Uses

Disinfectants and Antiseptics: Do you know what is used to clean wounds during surgery? What is used to clean the bathroom, kitchen tiles in our home? Which chemical product is applied to the skin to treat acne scars and infections? Yes, varieties of disinfectants and antiseptics are used for these purposes.

Disinfectants and antiseptics are used widely for cleaning purposes in both healthcare organisations and in homes. Both of these are used to prevent or kill disease-causing microorganisms, which makes people get confused between these two. In this article, we are going to learn about the meanings of disinfectants and antiseptics, the difference between disinfectants and antiseptics, types and, lastly, uses of disinfectants and antiseptics.

What are Disinfectants?

Disinfectants are the chemical compounds that are used to inhibit the growth of harmful disease-causing microorganisms. Disinfectants can be applied on non-living surfaces or objects. Disinfectants are used in hospitals, schools, homes, and public places to kill harmful microbes like the influenza virus, coronavirus, salmonella, E-coli, etc.

Using the right type of disinfectant daily in our surroundings can help us to prevent the spread of infectious diseases like COVID-19, influenza and the common cold. Each disinfectant contains an active ingredient in its formula, which kills the harmful microbes by destroying or disrupting their cells. One of the most common examples of disinfectant is bleach which is used to kill E-coli. Bleach is used in hospitals and in households for cleaning purposes for more than 100 years.

Fig: Disinfectant

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What are Antiseptics?

Antiseptics are the chemical compounds that are also used to kill or prevent the growth of harmful microorganisms to prevent any infections or diseases. Antiseptics are applied on broken skin, wounds, cuts to prevent any kind of infection. Doctors use antiseptics before doing medical procedures like drawing blood and performing surgery. They can also be used in homes to treat minor cuts, burning and for cleaning hands. It is also a good substitute for soaps.

Antiseptics also acts as a sanitiser to kill bacteria when a person cannot use hand wash. It is used in popular products like mouthwash, treatment creams, cold sores, etc. The most commonly used antiseptic is Dettol which is a mixture of chloroxylenol and terpineol. Iodoform is also used as an antiseptic for wounds.

Fig: Antiseptics

Difference between Disinfectants and Antiseptics

Disinfectants and Antiseptics both are widely used to kill disease-causing pathogens and to control diseases. They kill microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi using chemical compounds called biocides.

Fig: Disinfectants and Antiseptics

Although both disinfectants and antiseptics are used for the same purpose, there are some differences between them which are listed below:

Examples of Disinfectants and Antiseptics

Examples of Disinfectants

There are different types of disinfectants available for industrial and commercial facility maintenance. They are meant to be used in a specific way and meant to kill specific microorganisms. It is possible that one disinfectant cannot kill all types of microorganisms. For example, most disinfectants don’t kill microbial spores.

Fig: Examples of Disinfectants

Some examples of chemical disinfectants are given below:

1. Alcohols: Alcohol is diluted in water to kill almost all types of bacterias. High concentrations of alcohol are required to disinfect wet surfaces. The limitations of alcohol are that it is volatile and highly inflammable. Ethanol and Isoproponal are two commonly used alcohols.
2. Aldehydes: A high amount of aldehydes (in ppm) is very effective against the bacteria of TB (tuberculosis). Aldehydes like Formaldehyde and Glutaraldehyde are used to disinfect heat resistant medical equipment.
3. Halogens: Halogens such as Iodine and Chlorine are commonly used as disinfectants. These can fight a wide range of bacterias and viruses. Household bleach (Sodium hypochlorite) is a type of chlorine compound. It can be dangerous when used in large amounts. Tincture and povidone-iodine are two iodine compounds used to treat the skin.
4. Phenolic compounds: Phenol based compounds such as cresol, lysol, xylenol, etc., have been used in hospitals as cleaning and sterilising agents for nearly 40 years. They are effective against many bacterias like Mycobacterium tuberculosis, fungi as well as viruses. But, they are very toxic and corrosive. It attacks the surface as well while attacking the microbes on them.

Examples of Antiseptics

There are different types of antiseptics. Few of them are safe to use at home, whereas many of them are only suitable for clinical use and in hospitals. Some of the common examples of antiseptics are given below:

1. Alcohol: Alcohols such as isopropyl alcohol and ethyl alcohol are used to disinfect the skin before needle sticks. They are also used in hand sanitisers.
2. Lysol: These compounds are used as both disinfectants and antiseptics. It is used for cleaning purposes in households as well as industries.
3. Iodine (Povidone-iodine): It is a well-known antiseptic used for skin disinfection before and after surgery.
4. Peroxide and permanganate: Both of them are used as skin disinfectants or as a mouthwash.
5. Boric acid: Boric acid is often used as an antiseptic for minor burns or cuts.
6. Carbolic acid (known as phenol): It is used to sterilise surgical instruments and also to clean wounds.
7. Antibacterial dye: It is used to treat wounds and burns.

Uses of Disinfectants and Antiseptics

Uses of Disinfectants

1. The apparatus in hospitals are generally disinfected with 2% of glutaraldehyde.
2. 0.2-0.5 ppm of chlorine is used to clean or disinfect the water and swimming pools.
3. 3% of peroxide is used on the skin, small wounds and on mucus membrane to kill germs.
4. 0.2-1% peroxyacetic acid is used to disinfect plastic and glassware items.
5. Phenols are used as floor and tile cleaners in hospitals, homes and in public places.
6. Aseptic conditions mean an environment completely of germs. It is very important, especially in ICU and surgery. Various disinfectants are used to create aseptic conditions in labs and other required zones. Iodophors are used to clean semi-critical medical equipment.
7. Chlorine sanitiser II is an example of a chlorine disinfectant used in healthcare settings and in food preparation processing.
8. Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is used to kill a broad spectrum of bacteria and viruses. Hydrogen peroxide cleaners are also used to kill the SARS-CoV-2 in as little as one minute

Uses of Antiseptics

1. Antiseptics are used by doctors to clean the skin before surgery. 
2. When the skin or the mucus membrane is damaged during surgery, antiseptic is used in that area to reduce the chances of infection.
3. Antiseptic solutions are used for handwashing. Chlorohexidine gluconate and povidone-iodine solutions are used in hand washes and hand scrubs in hospitals.
4. Alcohols with greater than 60% concentrations can kill viruses like SARS and COVID-19. Hence it is used in sanitisers for cleaning the hands.
5. Tincture Iodine (2-3% solution of alcohol-water mixture) is used to treat wounds.
6. Antiseptics are also used to prevent any infections on the skin due to wounds, cuts, scrapes or minor burns.
7. Rubbing alcohol and hydrogen peroxide are two commonly used antiseptics for skin infection
8. Antiseptics are used to treat several throat and mouth infections.

Fig: Uses of Antiseptic

Sulphonamide Drugs

Sulphonamide is the basis of different groups of drugs. These are synthetic drugs that act by interfering with the synthesis of essential metabolites in microorganisms like bacteria, hence arresting their growth. Hence, these are well known bacteriostatic agents. But sulpha drugs may cause hypersensitivity; hence, they are normally used along with other antibiotics. Sulphadiazine and sulphonamide are two important examples of sulpha drugs.

Summary

Disinfectants and antiseptics both are widely used to kill harmful microorganisms and control infections. Both of them can kill a wide variety of bacterias, fungi and viruses using chemicals called biocides. Disinfectants kill microorganisms on non-living surfaces and objects. One of the most common examples of disinfectant is bleach which is used to kill E-coli. Antiseptics are used to kill microorganisms on the living tissue of our skin.

Both disinfectants and antiseptics are used for the same purpose, but there are some differences between them. Disinfectants generally have higher concentrations as compared to antiseptics. For example- Lysol is a disinfectant, while Dettol is an antiseptic. Disinfectants are used to clean floors, tiles in hospitals and houses. They are also used to sterilise the medical equipment and for cleaning water. Antiseptics are used to treat wounds, scars and ulcers of the skin, mouth and mucus membrane of the stomach.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Disinfectants and Antiseptics

Q.1. What is the importance of disinfectants and antiseptics?
Ans: Both disinfectants and antiseptics are widely used to control infections. They kill a wide variety of bacterias, fungi, and viruses using chemicals called biocides. Disinfectants can kill microorganisms on non-living surfaces and objects. Antiseptics are used to kill microorganisms in our skin. Hence, they are very important antimicrobial products.

Q.2. What are common antiseptics?
Ans: Most common antiseptics are isopropyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, chlorhexidine, hydrogen peroxide, etc.

Q.3. What are different examples of disinfectants?
Ans: There are different types of disinfectants available for industrial and commercial facility maintenance. They are meant to be used in a specific way and meant to kill specific microorganisms. Alcohol, phenols, aldehydes, and halogens are various examples of disinfectants.

Q.4. What are the uses of antiseptics?
Ans: Antiseptics are used in hand washes, soaps, hand sanitisers. They are used to disinfect skin, mucous membrane and to treat skin infections. They are also used to treat throat and mouth infections.

Q.5. What is the difference between a disinfectant and an antiseptic?
Ans: Disinfectants are applied on non-living surfaces or objects like doorknobs, kitchen and bathroom tile, floors, etc. Antiseptics are applied on living tissues like on skin, cuts, wounds, etc. The concentration of disinfectants is very high, whereas the concentration of antiseptics is very low.

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We hope this article on Disinfectants and Antiseptics helps you in your preparation. Do drop in your queries in the comments section if you get stuck and we will get back to you at the earliest.