A chemical sterilising substance to kill or control pathogenic microbes
n. a chemical that destroys or inhibits the growth of disease-causing bacteria and other microorganisms and is sufficiently nontoxic to be applied to the skin or mucous membranes to cleanse wounds and prevent infections or to be used internally to treat infections of the intestine and bladder. Examples are *cetrimide, *chlorhexidine, and povidone-*iodine.
destroys and prevents the development of microbes.
Antiseptics prevent the growth of disease-causing micro-organisms without damaging living tissues. Among chemicals used are boric acid, carbolic acid, hydrogen peroxide and products based on coal tar, such as cresol. Chlorhexidines, iodine, formaldehyde, ?avines, alcohol and hexachlorophane are also used. Antiseptics are applied to prevent infection – for example, in preparing the skin before operation. They are also used externally to treat infected wounds.... antiseptics
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