title: [Antiseptic use in primary care].
abstract: Wounds can be classified according to their mechanism of action into surgical or traumatic (which may be incision wounds, such as those provoked by a sharp object; contusions, caused by a blunt force; puncture wounds, caused by long, sharp objects; lacerations, caused by tears to the tissue; or bites, which have a high risk of infection and consequently should not be sutured). Wounds can also be classified by their healing process into acute or chronic (pressure ulcers, vascular ulcers, neuropathic ulcers, acute wounds with torpid clinical course). The use of antiseptics in any of these wounds is usually limited to cleaning and initial care -up to 48 hours- and to washing of hands and instruments. The use of antiseptics in chronic or persistent wounds is more debatable. The same is true of burns, in which the use of formulations that encourage hydration is recommended. In the pediatric population, the use of antiseptics with a known safety profile and low absorption is usually recommended, especially in the care of the umbilical cord, in which evidence supports the use of chlorhexidine gluconate. Another use of antiseptics is the care of wounds produced by procedures used in body esthetics, such as piercings; in these procedures, it is advisable to use transparent antiseptics that allow visualization of the technique.
authors.affiliation: Médico de Familia, Centro de Salud Renedo de Esgueva, Valladolid Rural I, Valladolid, España. Sacyl-Castilla y León.
authors.forename: M Isabel
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Gutiérrez Pérez
authors.affiliation: Médico de Familia, Unidad de Gestión Clínica Amante Laffon, Distrito Sanitario de Atención Primaria, Sevilla, España.
authors.forename: M Eulalia
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Lucio-Villegas Menéndez
authors.affiliation: Médico de Familia, EOXI de Pontevedra e O Salnés, Pontevedra, España.
authors.forename: Laura López
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: González
authors.affiliation: Enfermera, Centro de Atención Primaria de Sant Just Desvern, Barcelona, España. Grupo de Profilaxis en Enfermedades Infecciosas de la CAMFIC.
authors.forename: Natalia Aresté
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Lluch
authors.affiliation: Médico de Familia, Coordinadora del Grupo de Profilaxis en Enfermedades Infecciosas de la CAMFIC.
authors.forename: M Luisa
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Morató Agustí
authors.affiliation: Médico de Familia, PAC de Cambados, EOXI de Pontevedra e O Salnés, Pontevedra, España. Electronic address: santiago.perez.cachafeiro@sergas.es.
authors.forename: Santiago Pérez
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Cachafeiro
mesh_terms: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002056:Burns / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012867:Skin / Q000293:injuries / Q000382:microbiology; D012883:Skin Ulcer / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local
keywords: Antiseptics; Antisépticos; Atención primaria; Heridas; Primary care; Wounds