Antiseptics are medicines that slow or stop the growth of germs and help prevent infections in minor cuts, scrapes, and burns.

Antiseptics are applied to the skin to keep bacteria from getting into wounds and causing infection. Although antiseptics do not usually kill bacteria, they do weaken them and slow their growth.

Simply applying an antiseptic to a wound is not adequate treatment. The wound should be cleaned first, and in most cases it should be covered with a bandage or other type of dressing to keep it clean and moist while it heals. However, some antiseptics, such as phenol, can damage the skin if the wound is covered after they are applied. Others, such as hydrogen peroxide and iodine, should be allowed to dry completely before the wound is covered.

Because antiseptics can irritate the skin and even interfere with the healing process, they should be used...