The Use of Antiseptic and Antibacterial Agents on Wounds and the Skin

Abstract

As our global population ages, the prevalence and frequency of both acute and chronic wounds will rise, generating increased burden on patients, healthcare professionals, and healthcare systems. Wound-related bacterial damage can be situated on either the surface compartment of the wound or the deep and surrounding compartments. Wounds that are infected on the surface component are said to have local infection and should be treated topically. Wounds infected in the deep and surrounding components should be treated systemically. Topical antimicrobial and antiseptic agents are used to treat superficial critical colonization and not deep and surrounding infection. This chapter will address the use of topical antimicrobials and antiseptics for the treatment of the superficial compartment of the wound. The five broad classes of topical antimicrobial agents currently used in chronic wounds with superficial critical colonization include PHMB, ionized silver, slow-release iodine, methylene blue and gentian violet, and honey.