An antiseptic ( Greek : ἀντί , romanized : anti , lit. 'against' and σηπτικός , sēptikos , 'putrefactive' ) is an antimicrobial substance or compound that is applied to living tissue to reduce the possibility of sepsis , infection or putrefaction . Antiseptics are generally distinguished from antibiotics by the latter's ability to safely destroy bacteria within the body, and from disinfectants , which destroy microorganisms found on non-living objects.
6-422: Ammonium, didecyldimethyl-, chloride Didecyldimethylammonium chloride ( DDAC ) is a quaternary ammonium compound used as antiseptic / disinfectant . It causes the disruption of intermolecular interactions and the dissociation of lipid bilayers. The bacteriostatic (prevent growth) or bactericide (kill microorganism) activity of DDAC depends on its concentration and the growth phase of the microbial population. It
12-477: A decade later the situation started to change, when some French surgeons started to adopt carbolic acid as an antiseptic, reducing surgical infection rates, followed by their Italian colleagues in the 1860s. In 1867 Joseph Lister published seminal paper Antiseptic Principle of the Practice of Surgery , where he explained this reduction in terms of Louis Pasteur 's germ theory . Thus he was able to popularize
18-531: Is a broad spectrum biocidal against bacteria and fungi and can be used as disinfectant cleaner for linen, recommended for use in hospitals, hotels and industries. It is also used in gynaecology , surgery, ophthalmology , pediatrics, OT, and for the sterilization of surgical instruments, endoscopes and surface disinfection. In mice this disinfectant was found to cause infertility and birth defects when combined with Alkyl (60% C14, 25% C12, 15% C16) dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (ADBAC). These studies contradict
24-476: The antiseptic surgical methods in the English-speaking world. Some of this work was anticipated by: Antiseptics can be subdivided into about eight classes of materials. These classes can be subdivided according to their mechanism of action: small molecules that indiscriminately react with organic compounds and kill microorganisms (peroxides, iodine, phenols) and more complex molecules that disrupt
30-556: The older toxicology data set on quaternary ammonia compounds which was reviewed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) and the EU Commission. In addition, DDAC, as well as other quaternary ammonia compounds, can lead to the acquisition of resistance by microorganisms when employed in sub-lethal concentrations. This dermatologic drug article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Antiseptic Antibacterials include antiseptics that have
36-622: The proven ability to act against bacteria. Microbicides which destroy virus particles are called viricides or antivirals . Antifungals , also known as antimycotics , are pharmaceutical fungicides used to treat and prevent mycosis (fungal infection). Antiseptic practices evolved in the 19th century through multiple individuals. Ignaz Semmelweis showed already in 1847-1848 that hand washing prior to delivery reduced puerperal fever . Despite this, many hospitals continued to practice surgery in unsanitary conditions, with some surgeons taking pride in their bloodstained operating gowns. Only
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