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What is Antiseptic Ointment?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Antiseptic ointment is a medicine that helps prevent infections or possibly fight them, and is prepared in an oil base. The term ointment is often used more loosely, and it’s possible to find creams or liquid solutions labeled as ointments. Antiseptic means infection-preventing, and it’s an general term with subtypes. Antibacterial ointments may not only prevent but also help cure ongoing skin infections. Generally, if antiseptic is used, it means the germ-killing agent can destroy surface bacteria, such as on the skin, but won’t cure infections.

There are many different types of antiseptic ointment that are widely available in over the counter preparations. A number of them include traditional germ killers like alcohol, hydrogen peroxide or witch hazel. Most average generic drug store ointments have these as primary ingredients. Other products like iodine or povidone-iodine (betadine) are available too. People can also get some more naturally based antiseptic ointment preparations, including those that contain ingredients like manuka honey, tea tree oil or other ingredients.

Antiseptic ointments help prevent infections.
Antiseptic ointments help prevent infections.

Those seeking antibacterial ointments specifically often find products like triple antibiotic ointment. These can contain bacteria fighting ingredients, which might treat minor infections. The most common antibacterial ingredients are neomycin, bacitracin and polymyxin. Sometimes ointments are sold that have only one of these antibiotics, and stronger antibiotic preparations may be available by prescription.

Many antiseptic ointments contain witch hazel.
Many antiseptic ointments contain witch hazel.

It’s important to know when it's appropriate to use an antiseptic ointment. Most often, people will apply these after receiving small cuts, minor burns, insect bites, or scrapes. The ointment can continue to be reapplied for several days, and some of them have additional properties that make them useful, like acting as minor pain or itch relief. Sometimes, antibacterial ointments are used for longer periods of time under the guidance of a physician.

A small amount of antiseptic ointment should be placed directly on the cut or other injury.
A small amount of antiseptic ointment should be placed directly on the cut or other injury.

An antiseptic ointment isn’t appropriate in all circumstances until a doctor’s guidance is sought. Animal bites, large cuts, cuts that won’t stop bleeding, insect bites that cause allergic reactions, or burns that blister may need medical care first. It’s also inappropriate to use an antiseptic oinment if an infection is already occurring. Skin infections can easily become blood infections, and even antibacterial ointments may not adequately address this. Signs of heating of the wound, pus, a wound that keeps reopening, red streaks from the wound, swollen lymph nodes, fever, or flulike symptoms need medical attention.

Some antiseptic ointments contain iodine.
Some antiseptic ointments contain iodine.

In the best of circumstances, home use of the antiseptic ointment occurs to immediately address the small injuries to which all people are subject. Hospital use may be more extensive; products like betadine are routinely used prior to surgery to kill surface bacteria and prevent wound infection. Most health professionals suggest people have one or more of these ointments on hand, but that they use them appropriately and seek prompt medical help when injuries are not minor.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent TheHealthBoard contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

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Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent TheHealthBoard contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

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Discussion Comments

bluedolphin

I use pure aloe vera gel as an antiseptic healing ointment. Aloe vera naturally has antiseptic properties and can help prevent infection. It's also very soothing and helps speed up healing. It's absolutely fantastic for minor burns as it takes away the pain and burning sensation immediately. It can also be used on sunburns. I keep my aloe vera gel in the fridge especially because the effects seem to be better when the gel is cold. I think everyone needs to have a bottle at home.

bear78

@fBoyle-- No, they're not the same thing. I think antibacterial ointment is a type of antiseptic ointment. There are many antiseptic ingredients that can be added to ointments. These are usually called medicated ointments and they may or may not have antibacterial ingredients in them.

I personally use an antibacterial ointment which seems to work well. I have a cat who adores her claws and who likes to scratch at every opportunity. I don't find de-clawing ethical so I try to trim her nails at regular intervals. But she detests trimming and likes to keep her claws long for regular tree climbing. So I end up having to use antibacterial ointment about once week. The scratches have never gotten infected and they heal quickly so I'm happy with my antibacterial ointment.

fBoyle

So antiseptic cream/ointment and antibacterial ointment are the same thing? Does it matter which I get? I'm just looking for something to use on basic cuts and scrapes.

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    • Antiseptic ointments help prevent infections.
      By: tln
      Antiseptic ointments help prevent infections.
    • Many antiseptic ointments contain witch hazel.
      By: dianamower
      Many antiseptic ointments contain witch hazel.
    • A small amount of antiseptic ointment should be placed directly on the cut or other injury.
      By: motorlka
      A small amount of antiseptic ointment should be placed directly on the cut or other injury.
    • Some antiseptic ointments contain iodine.
      By: ksena32
      Some antiseptic ointments contain iodine.
    • Many superficial cuts will heal with the help of antiseptic ointments.
      By: lzf
      Many superficial cuts will heal with the help of antiseptic ointments.
    • Immediate cleaning and bandaging of cuts will help prevent staph and other infections.
      By: ia_64
      Immediate cleaning and bandaging of cuts will help prevent staph and other infections.
    • Swollen lymph nodes may be a sign a wound has become infected.
      By: auremar
      Swollen lymph nodes may be a sign a wound has become infected.
    • Many natural antiseptic ointments include tea tree oil.
      By: Lucie Říhová
      Many natural antiseptic ointments include tea tree oil.
    • Children often sustain minor scrapes, which may call for antiseptic ointment.
      By: Karin & Uwe Annas
      Children often sustain minor scrapes, which may call for antiseptic ointment.