Infections and micro bacteria are part of human life in the current scenario. It is hard to escape from all that and where they both come other terms are considered Antiseptic and Disinfectant to vanish them all. These chemical reactions secure our everyday life from harmful diseases. Though they remove the impurities but still different from each other in many ways as discussed below.
Antiseptic vs Disinfectant
The main difference between Antiseptic and Disinfectant is that Antiseptic kills germs on our skin and Disinfectant kills germs on the surface whereas Antiseptic is effective on microorganisms on the other hand Disinfectant is effective on bacteria. Both are used for the removal of harmful viruses that cannot be seen with a human eye.
The term Antiseptic means a cleaning agent of biocides in our body to protect us from viral infections. It is prominently used in healthcare to clean open wounds or clean hands. They destroy and prevent the growth of infection-causing agents in the human body. The liquid solution of Antiseptic is used for applying in broken skin areas against harmful germs.
The term Disinfectant means a cleaning agent of harmful germs growth on non-living surface areas. It prevents the spreading of germs using a chemical formula that is not edible and used only on floors or hard surfaces. They stop the spreading of bacteria on surfaces and are mainly used in washrooms, kitchens, and other open surfaces.
Comparison Table Between Antiseptic and Disinfectant
| Parameters of Comparison | Antiseptic | Disinfectant |
| Purpose | Antiseptics are used to kill germs on human skin or other living areas. | Disinfectants are used to kill bacteria on floors and other hard surfaces. |
| Microorganisms. | By using Antiseptic we can destroy microorganisms on skin tissues. | By using disinfectants we can prevent the spreading of microorganisms. |
| Pros & Cons | Antiseptics are not harmful to skin tissues in terms of injury. | Disinfectants are injurious to health if used on skin tissues. |
| Chemical Amount | Antiseptics contain a low amount of chemicals in comparison to Disinfectants. | Disinfectants contain a high amount of chemicals to be used on large non-living areas. |
| Usage | In a Surgical activity, a doctor will use Antiseptic on skin-affected areas. | In a surgical activity, a doctor will use a Disinfectant to clean its instruments. |
What is an Antiseptic?
The Antiseptic allows to clear the of skin tissues affected by biocides or microorganisms. A substance used to stop the bacteria causing infection in the human body and spreading of biocides to other human beings. Most frequently they are used in hospitals and laboratories during surgery and other medical procedures.
When we witness any type of surgery, Doctors usually apply Antiseptic first on their hands and Rub the same solution on the affected area where surgery is to be performed to prevent the effect of germs. Various types of Antiseptics are used in our daily life, likely hand wash, hand rubs, skin preparations, etc. Especially in winter’s advertisement regarding Antiseptic consumer creams increases, for example, Boroline, Boroplus and more.
There are mainly 2 types of Antiseptics namely consumer and healthcare: Consumer Antiseptics includes the usage at home, school, daycare. Classification of Antiseptics based on their chemical properties are the following: Antibacterial dye, Halogenated phenol derivative, Peroxide, and permanganate on the other hand health care Antiseptics are used at clinics, laboratories, nursing homes, doctors offices,s, etc. They are recurring in nature in the case of medical usage. Healthcare workers use them very frequently since it’s their daily exposure to these items.
What is a Disinfectant?
The term Disinfectant is widely used to control the effect of bacteria present on hard surfaces that come in contact with a person. They are created to be used on specific surfaces like plastic, floors, kitchen counters, medical equipment, bathrooms, etc. It just controls the spreading of infection, not likely to kill 100%. Disinfectants contain a high amount of chemical substances namely Alcohol Formaldehyde, Quaternary ammonium compounds, Phenolics, Hydrogen peroxide, Peracetic acid, Peracetic acid, and hydrogen peroxide, Chlorine and chlorine compounds, Iodophors, Glutaraldehyde, and Ortho-phthalaldehyde (OPA).
Some Disinfectants include Pasteurization, Metals as microbicides, Flushing- and washer-disinfectors and their major usage are while cleaning the medical tools, mopping the floor, washing bathrooms as we see the advertisement over Indian TV channels majorly Lizol Disinfectant cleaner for washing floor and tiles for household purpose.
Proper utilization of Disinfectant contains the microorganism we are cleaning, the right amount of concentration, expiry date of disinfectant, the temperature of the water if we use and dilute in water. Precautions must be taken before using hazardous substances like Disinfectants. Handrails, Gas-Counter tops, Refrigerators, floors are some common areas where Disinfectants are used most frequently. They are not used to kill germs over a person’s skin like bleach, alcohol is a few examples.
Main Differences Between Antiseptic and Disinfectant
- Power: The Antiseptic chemical has the power to kill micro bacterias present on the skin whereas no such chemical is present in Disinfectant.
- Examples: Mouth Wash, Hand sanitizers are a few examples of Antiseptic and Alcohol, Bleach is a few examples of Disinfectant.
- Risk factors: Antiseptics have a risk factor if used as edible medicine and Disinfectant and harmful if used over skin tissue.
- Definition: A Chemical substance works as an antimicrobial agent known as Antiseptic on the contrary A Chemical substance limits the spread of antimicrobial agents known as Disinfectants.
- Properties: Antiseptic has the property to clean the infection-prone areas of the human body, specifically skin and Disinfectant has the property to clean the surfaces to limit the spreading of germs.
Conclusion
In some cases, Antiseptic and Disinfectant both terms are used interchangeably which is incorrect in terms of science as they cannot perform the function of each other even Disinfectant if applied on the skin may prove to be injuries as having burning properties. They both are non-edible and harmful if taken through the mouth. They both are used to clear numerous types of bacteria present in our surroundings.
In a few cases where Antiseptics are used in cases of Disinfectant are found to be ineffective. Effectively Antiseptics are performing the function of killing or inhibiting the growth of microorganisms. When Disinfectants are used in a highly diluted formless effect of chemicals can be used as Antiseptics.
References
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/037811199190224Y
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0166093484900521