Any of a variety of agents applied to living tissue to destroy or inhibit growth of infectious microorganisms.
An antiseptic's efficiency depends on concentration, time, and temperature. It is most valuable in the disinfection of contaminated wounds or skin surfaces when a wide margin exists between the concentration at which it is germicidal and that at which it is toxic to the body's cells. Many antiseptics destroy specific types or forms of microorganisms (e.g., bacteria but not spore s). Among the major families of antiseptics are alcohol s, phenol s, chlorine and iodine compounds, mercury -based tinctures, certain acridine dye s, and some essential oil s. Antiseptics are distinguished from disinfectants, which are germicidal agents used to destroy microorganisms on inanimate surfaces. See also antibiotic .