What is antiseptic?
Antiseptics are those substances which are applied to living tissue/skin to reduce the possibility of infection, sepsis, or putrefaction. Antiseptics mainly stops or slows down the growth of microorganisms. These are mainly used in hospitals and other medical settings.
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What is Antibiotic?
The substance produced by a microorganism or a similar product produced wholly (synthetic) or partially (semi-synthetic) by chemical synthesis and in low concentrations inhibits the growth of or kills microorganisms. Some examples of antibiotics are Penicillin, phenoxymethylpenicillin, flucloxacillin, amoxicillin, Cephalosporins, Tetracyclines, etc.
Difference Between antiseptic and Antibiotic
| Topic | Antiseptic | Antibiotic |
| Definition | A chemical substance that can destroy diseases which carry microorganism by local application on skin, cavities or mucosa is known as antiseptic. | Antibiotics are basically chemical substances that are generated by group of some microscopic organisms and possess the ability to deactivate or destroy/kill other harmful microorganisms, usually infection causing bacteria. |
| EffectivenessAntiseptics are Effective against a wide range of microorganismsAntibiotics are Effective against bacteria onlyKillingInhibits the growth and development of microorganisms without necessarily killing them. | Kills and inhibits the growth and development of bacteria. | |
| Route of administration | Antiseptics applied topically | Usually taken orally |
| Resistance | The development of resistance properties to antiseptic is rare. | The development of resistance properties to antibiotics is common. |
| Ingested/swallowed | Antiseptic can not be ingested or swallowed. | Antibiotic can be ingested or swallowed. |
| Natural antiseptics and antibiotics | Lemon, honey, pineapple, eucalyptus, Tea tree oil, Lavender, Activated Charcoal, Yarrow, Calendula, Comfrey, Plantain, Aloe. | Olive leaf extract, Garlic, Green tea, Myrrh, Colloidal silver, Goldenseal, Echinacea, Oregano oil, Manuka Honey, Oregano Oil, Garlic (extract), Cinnamon, Fermented Foods, Ginger, Pau d’ Arco, cod liver oil, Cayenne Pepper, Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE), Turmeric. |
| Examples | Examples of antiseptic are hydrogen peroxide, boric acid, alcohol and iodine | Examples of antibiotic are penicillin, Keflex, Zithromax |
