Choosing the Right Antiseptic Wipe for You and Your Needs

Sanitization is of paramount importance when it comes to caring for our bodies, especially if we have a medical condition that requires attention to hygiene. Antiseptic wipes are an ideal tool for use at home or when traveling.

The challenge is finding the wipe that will best suit our needs and ultimately be effective in keeping us healthy. There are several types we can choose from, and each is relevant to certain situations.

Skin Sensitivity

The purpose of antiseptic wipes is to eliminate harmful bacteria and germs. Using the most powerful strength wipes may be okay in certain high-risk or complex situations, but for body and especially face, exercise caution. For the most sensitive of skin, including the skin of young family members, it may be advisable to try a non-alcoholic wipe. These will ensure no sudden skin irritations or discomfort. Non-alcoholic wipes also prevent your skin from becoming dry or sticky.

If you need a slightly more powerful solution and you don't mind using alcoholic wipes, there are several varieties to choose from on the market. The more concentrated the wipe, the more likely using it will help eradicate bacteria.

Be careful, though, as the stronger the alcoholic content of the wipes, the more likely it is that your skin may become dehydrated. Use a skin moisturizer to help prevent this.

Purpose

The purpose will have the greatest impact on which wipe you choose. Do you want to use the wipe to disinfect possible wounds? Do you want to wipe down and clean your hands?

The last thing you want is to further aggravate a wound or use a wipe that may irritate your skin.

There are two common types of antiseptic wipes.

Benzalkonium Towelettes

BZK wipes are alcohol-free and used a skin disinfectant as the antiseptic. BZKs are commonly used for cleaning cuts and the surrounding area to help prevent infection.

These wipes are effective in killing viruses, fungi, protozoa and bacteria.

People with sensitive skin should consider these types of antiseptic wipes. Since they are alcohol-free - BZK won't dry out your skin.

The gentle, moisturizing effect makes them ideal for catheter use.

Povidone Iodine Solution

Povidone iodine is a very effective and painless antiseptic used most often for skin preparation before surgery. You can buy it over-the-counter for use as a first-aid solution in the treatment of cuts and wounds.

These wipes contain a broad-spectrum antiseptic that is very effective.

You can buy it in different forms including liquid, in a towelette or on a swab stick form. Povidone Iodine does not sting, although a minority of users reports some skin irritation. If this occurs, switching to BZK is a good option.

Both BZK and povidone iodine antiseptic wipes provide good solutions for wound care, general cleaning or for use with a catheter.

Alcohol Swabs

These are possibly the most common feature of any first aid kit and the least expense. Alcohol swabs provide you with a multipurpose antiseptic wipe, which can be used for cleaning around the area of a wound, skin preparation or sterilization of various medical instruments.

Frequency of Use

Another important factor to consider when choosing the right antiseptic for you and your needs is the frequency of use.

If you expect to use the wipes often, consider a non-alcoholic wipe such as BZK. Multiple uses of an alcohol wipe will likely eventually dry out even the toughest skin and cause irritation and difficulty using your catheter. Povidone iodine may also work well.

If you expect to use the wipes infrequently, as part of a first aid kit, for example, then using alcoholic wipes/swabs will work fine.

Keep in mind that alcohol, even when sealed inside an envelope or air-tight package, will eventually dry out. Pay attention to the expiration dates and ensure you replace your stock periodically.

Catheter Use and Antiseptic Wipes

Antiseptic wipes are essential to the sterilization of the area before using a catheter. Catheter insertion should be done in as sterile an environment as possible. Using BZK or povidone iodine is fine, but ensure that you sterilize not only the insertion site, but also all around the area as well.

Experts recommend you allow the antiseptic to remain on the skin at the insertion site for a minute or two to air dry the area. Remember to wash your hands thoroughly before catheterization.

Finally, remember to use sterile, water-soluble lubricant and not something like petroleum jelly.