Wound cleansing, topical antiseptics and wound healing

Abstract

Quality of care is a critical requirement for wound healing and 'good' care of wounds has been synonymous with topical prevention and management of microbial contamination. Topical antiseptics are antimicrobial agents that kill, inhibit or reduce the number of microorganisms and are thought to be essential for wounds infection control. However, they have long and commonly been used on wounds to prevent or treat infection, the merits of antiseptic fluid irrigation have received little scientific study. Unlike antibiotics that act selectively on a specific target, antiseptics have multiple targets and a broader spectrum of activity, which include bacteria, fungi, viruses, protozoa and even prions. Although certain skin and wound cleansers are designed as topical solutions with varying degrees of antimicrobial activity, concerns have been raised. Wound cleansers may affect normal human cells and may be antimitotic adversely affecting normal tissue repair. Repeated and excessive treatment of wounds with antiseptics without proper indications may have negative outcomes or promote a microenvironment similar to those found in chronic wounds. However, when applied at the proper times and concentrations, some classes of antiseptics may provide a tool for the clinician to drive the wound bed in desired directions. The present review summarises the various antiseptics in use and their negative impact on the wound healing mechanisms. It is clear that the role of antiseptics on wounds and their role in wound care management need to be reconsidered.

Silver Nanoparticles as Real Topical Bullets for Wound Healing

“…12 There is a lot of discussion about the use of antiseptics on open wounds and their beneficial or detrimental outcomes on wound healing. One major advantage of antiseptics is that they hardly ever select for resistant microbial strains, making them preferable to antibiotics with regard to the development of bacterial resistance.…”

Human osteoblast damage after antiseptic treatment

“…During this procedure mechanical elimination of bacteria through lavage and surgical debridement can be supported by antiseptic solutions. However, all of the commonly used antiseptic irrigants exhibit considerable tissue toxicity, as antiseptics do not discriminate between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells [5][6][7]. Nevertheless, local treatment with antiseptics is still a standard procedure in septic arthroplasty.…”

Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infection in Dog – Case Report

“…The silver sulfadiazine used after the deep cleanings, also possesses immediate bactericidal effects, and residual bacteriostatic effects (ATIYEH et al, 2009). …”