Disinfectant Vs Antiseptic : Recognizing the Differences Between These Two, Do Not be Mistaken
Disinfectants and Antiseptics certainly are widely used for cleaning in both health care and also in cleanrooms. These products contain various chemical components which have been used as cleaning agents / tools for ages. They are both used for destroying disease-causing microorganisms which may lead people to think that they are the same. But the truth is that they are very different in so many ways like their functions, the amounts of chemical components contained in it, and especially on how they are applied.
Many people have often interchangeably applied one in place of the other not knowing they are used differently, and it would explain why some people fail to control germs or still get bacterial infections despite their constant use of disinfectants and antiseptics. The biggest problem is how they use these agents / tools and also please note that the application of disinfectant and antiseptic is totally different.
What is Disinfectant?
Disinfectant is a chemical substance that can be applied to on-living objects or surfaces to inhibit the growth of microorganisms. Disinfectant prevents the spreading of germs and bacteria to people by sterilizing the surfaces where they are applied. It is largely used in cleanrooms for cleaning bathrooms, kitchens, and floors.
Some disinfectants such as alcohols, oxidizing agents, bleaches, and hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is usually used in health cares and hospitals to clean surgery tools and rooms Disinfectants may destroy microorganisms like virus, bacteria or fungus by interfering with their metabolism or by disrupting cell walls, but It's very important to note too that disinfectant may not necessarily eliminate all the microorganisms, because some microorganisms may be resistant to some disinfectants and sometimes it is becoming difficult to kill them completely.
The summary is that disinfectants can only reduce the microorganisms to a level which they can't bring harm to health or harm the quality of perishable products. In such cases, the best thing to do is use disinfectants of higher and right concentration and also look at how to use it properly for the best results.
What is Antiseptic?
Antiseptic is a chemical agent / tool that is used to destroy or prevent the growth of microorganisms that could cause infections or diseases. Usually, they are applied on broken skin to kill disease-causing microorganisms that might have infected the areas or keep them away from these areas.
Antiseptics are therefore meant to be applied to living tissues to zero injurious effect on the body surface where it is applied. Antiseptics may also act as sanitizers for cleaning hands to remove bacteria when a person cannot wash hands at the time. They are popular in products like mouthwash, cold sores, treatment creams, etc. Antiseptic substances commonly include alcohol, quaternary ammonium compounds, chlorhexidine, antibacterial dyes, and chlorine. In addition, there are hypochlorite, inorganic iodine compounds, metals, peroxides, permanganates, halogenated phenol derivatives and quinolones too.
Disinfectant Vs Antiseptic
So, between disinfectant and antiseptic the major differences that we can say are:
1. It's very clear that their main difference is in their application. Disinfectants are applied to non-living items / things, while antiseptics are applied to living tissues / things like human bodies such as their skin, mouths, and many more
2. Disinfectants inhibits the growth of microorganisms that exist on surfaces or objects that they are applied to, while antiseptics kill and destroy microorganisms on living tissues
3. Disinfectants disinfect areas that can spread germs, while antiseptics reduce the risk of infections by germs
4. Disinfectants are very toxic and injurious when used on living tissues, while antiseptics have no injurious effect on living tissues
5. Both disinfectant and antiseptic contained ingredients such as biocide. Biocide is an active substance that is used to destroy and kill bacteria and germs, but the volume level of biocide between disinfectant and antiseptic is different, because the volume level of biocide inside the antiseptic is less than inside the disinfectant
With the explanation of the different functions between a disinfectant and antiseptic above, it is hoped that it can clarify again that these two agents / tools are very different from many aspects and hope it can avoid the misuse of these two agents / tools to prevent unwanted things both on our bodies or our things.
Need help searching and selecting the right products for disinfectants and antiseptics? You may directly contact us on our website. We provide you with many health care and cleanroom tools products for your healthier and cleaner life.
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