09/20/2019 / By Janine Acero
Basic hygiene practices such as washing hands with soap and water are taught from childhood. On top of washing, many people also use antiseptics to better get rid of germs. Rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, and iodine are some common antiseptics found in most homes. (h/t to BeansBulletsBandagesAndYou.com)
Preventing infection is the main goal of antiseptics and disinfectants, while antibiotics are used mainly to treat infections. These products fall under the general category of antimicrobials – substances that kill microbes like bacteria, fungi and some parasites. Because these products have distinct differences, it’s important to know when and how to use them appropriately.
Antiseptics are commonly used in hospitals, but some are available over the counter for home use. They are good for cleaning small cuts and minor wounds, preparing the skin for injection, or swabbing the skin before removing a splinter.
However, unlike soap and water which you can use as many times as you want, antiseptics should be used sparingly. Antiseptics can cause skin dryness and irritation, kill off harmless microbes living on your skin and mucous membranes, and even kill skin cells. Antiseptics are also harder to store in large quantities than soap.
There are antiseptics that are easy to buy, can be used safely and effectively (if handled properly), and have good shelf life. These are all important factors to consider when choosing items to stockpile for medical emergencies.
Here are some of the best antiseptics for your prepping needs:
Hydrogen peroxide, while another common antiseptic, has a limited shelf life and may not be suitable for long-term prepping purposes.
If you run out of antiseptics, there are natural alternatives that you can use that may just be lying around in your kitchen. Some great examples are: (Related: Natural antiseptics to fight infections in a SHTF scenario.)
Medical emergencies should be on top of your prepping priorities. Learn more preparedness tips and tricks at Preparedness.news.
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